Relations between Latvia and Chile are developing rapidly regardless of the great geographic distance separating both countries. After accession of Latvia to the European Union on 1 May 2004, Latvia also participates in the dialogue between the European Union and Chile.

History of Diplomatic Relations

Chile recognized the State of Latvia on 12 September 1921. Till 1940, Latvia's interests in Chile were represented by the British government. Chile has never recognized the occupation of Latvia and its incorporation in the Soviet Union. Chile recognized the restored independence of Latvia on 28 August 1991, and diplomatic relations between the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Chile were restored on 26 September 1991.

On 27 August 1992, the first Chilean Ambassador to Latvia, Carlos Parra Merino, was accredited. He was followed by Hugo Cubillos Bravo, who was accredited on 11 October 1994. From 2 December 1997 to July 2000, Chilean interests in Latvia were represented by Jos̩ Goni Carrasco, and from 9 October 2001 Рby Pepe Auth. Accreditation of the next Ambassador of Chile to Latvia, Alvaro Garcia Hurtado, took place on 8 March 2005. He completed his term of office on 31 May 2006. On 9 October 2007, the accreditation of the Ambassador Ovid Harasich took place.

Since January 1996, the former Chilean Ambassador to Latvia Carlos Parra Merino has served as the Honorary Consul of Latvia in Chile (the Honorary Consulate is temporarily closed due to the change of Honorary Consuls).

In January 1997, Chile appointed its Honorary Consul in Latvia - Olegs Kuznecovs, President of the joint stock company International Business Centre.

Parliamentary cooperation

In December 2006, a Group for co-operation with the National Congress of Chile was established in the Latvian Saeima consisting of 32 MPs and chaired by Olegs Denisovs (Association of political organisations Saskanas centrs).

Visits and meetings

Cooperation between cities

In 1997, a friendship and co-operation agreement was signed between the Latvian capital Riga and the Chilean capital Santiago, being the first of its kind between a city in Latvia and South America. Both capitals enjoy active co-operation (including mutual visits, seminars, presentations and other events).

Economic cooperation

1. Trade

(according to data of the Central Statistical Bureau of the Republic of Latvia)

January – December 2006

• EXPORTS

1. Lithuania – 788,418,743 USD or 14.11 % of the total exports from Latvia 

2. Estonia – 677,475,768 USD or 12.12 %

3. Germany – 562,635,155 USD or 10.07 %

4. Russian Federation – 523,368,676 USD or 9.37 %

5. United Kingdom – 443,333,400 USD or 7.93 %

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56. Chile – USD 2,694,034 or 0.05%.

• IMPORTS

1. Germany – – 1,609,581,384 USD or 15.02 % of total imports to Latvia

2. Lithuania – 1,373,000,060 USD or 12.81 %

3. Russian Federation – 891,580,050 USD or 8.32  %

4. Estonia – 810,199,559 USD or 7.56 %

5. Poland – 751,076,957 USD or 7.01 %

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57. Chile – USD 3,194,205 or 0.03%.

Latvia has a negative trade balance with Chile to the amount of USD 500,171 USD.

Main export commodities to Chile by type of goods in 2006

Main import commodities from Chile by type of goods in 2006

Trade dynamics between Latvia and Chile, 1998-2006, USD

2. Investments

(according to data from the Bank of Latvia)

There are no Chilean investments in the equity of Latvian registered companies; no Chilean–Latvian joint ventures were listed on the Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia (Lursoft database).

Since 1996, on basis of the licence of a Chilean company Corpora Tresmontes, SIA Proexpo is operating in Latvia, registered in this country as a British company Corpora Winery and Trading U.K. Limited. Its main field of activity is the production of dry powdered beverages. During the last decade, the production facility for dry powdered juices of the world-renowned brands of ZUCO, FLASH and YUPI has developed successfully also in Latvia.

On 9 March 2005, the Chilean Embassy in Latvia, with support of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organized an economic seminar covering the topic of co-operation Agreement between the Republic of Chile and the European Union and its advantages and benefits to the Latvian-Chilean bilateral relations, which was attended by Latvian and Chilean officials and businessmen. The purpose of the seminar was to supply information on the opportunities provided by the EU-Chilean Association Agreement to which Latvia joined by an Additional Protocol on 16 December 2004.

On 8 September 2006, 21 Chilean wine producers presented their products in Riga.

Legal framework

Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Chile, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union, signed on 16 December 2004 and came into effect on 1 November 2005. With this Additional Protocol, Latvia joined the Association Agreement signed by the EU and Chile in 2002 and covering the main sectors of relationship between the EU and Chile.

Contact information

Honorary Consul of Chile in Riga: http://chile-riga.com; e-mail: consul@aplloo.lv

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Chile:  http://www.minrel.gov.cl