Relations between Latvia and the Czech Republic can be characterised as very active and wide-ranging both bilaterally and within the EU and NATO. Bilateral contacts between the two states cover various areas, the most active practical co-operation being established in the field of culture. Collaboration in defence is also significant and the intensification of trade and economic relations is considered a priority due to their great potential.

History of diplomatic relations

Czechoslovakia recognised the Republic of Latvia on 5 January 1922. This date also marks the commencement of diplomatic relations between the two states. From 1931 to the beginning of 1939, there was a Latvian Embassy in Prague (prior to this, from 1922 to 1927 - a consulate, and from 1928 to 1930 - a consulate-general), which discontinued its operation after the annexation of Czechoslovakia.

On 9 September 1991, the Federal Republic of Czechoslovakia renewed diplomatic relations with the Republic of Latvia. On 1 January 1993, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic were created after the Czechoslovak Republic divided. This date also marks the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Latvia and the Czech Republic.

Since 12 September 2006, Latvia is represented in the Czech Republic by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Ms Argita Daudze.

As of 27 November 2007, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Latvia is Mr Tomas Pstross.

Economic co-operation 

Trade and economic relations between Latvia and the Czech Republic are active. Latvia is interested in furthering these relations, as the potential for their development is still large. According to the data of 2007, the trade turnover between the two states is growing and exceeds EUR 200 million a year. The main export goods to the Czech Republic are metals and base metal articles (30% of total exports), office equipment (18%), and food industry products (18%). Imports from the Czech Republic mostly include machinery, mechanical appliances, and electrical equipment (31%) and vehicles (23%). Export to the Czech Republic in 2007 amounted to EUR 31.8 million or 0.59% of Latvia's total exports, with import to the value of EUR 182 million or 1.78% of Latvia's total imports.

Main export goods to the Czech Republic in 2007 by type of goods, in million EUR

Main import goods from the Czech Republic in 2007 by type of goods, in million EUR

Trade dynamics between Latvia and the Czech Republic between 2002 and 2007, in EUR

As of 26 February 2008, 42 Czech – Latvian joint ventures were listed with the Enterprise Register of Latvia.

Co-operation in defence 

Bilateral co-operation is based on the agreement on mutual co-operation concluded between the ministries of defence of the Republic of Latvia and the Czech Republic in 1993. Latvia and the Czech Republic have had a successful co-operation in the field of military education. The co-operation between the National Defence Academy of Latvia and the University of Defence of the Czech Republic includes a regular exchange of experience, academic personnel, and teaching materials. Good contacts have been established in the field of military medicine. Representatives from Latvia have enjoyed the opportunity to study medicine and to participate in different courses organized by the Military Medical Academy of the Czech Republic.

Co-operation in internal affairs 

As part of the international foundation Rescue, the Central Criminal Police Department of the Latvian State Police co-operates with the Czech Republic in supporting the victims of crime, protecting their rights, and participating in police training programmes.

Co-operation in education

On 14 August 2007, Baiba Rivza, Minister of Education and Science, and the then Czech Ambassador to Latvia, Jan Finferle, signed an agreement between the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science and the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport on co-operation for the years 2007 to 2010.

On 3 October 2007, a Latvian language and literature lectureship was opened at the Faculty of Philosophy and Arts of the Charles University of Prague. This is the first foreign university where this kind of institution has been created. The lecturer at the new post is Viola Anna Birina, Master of Philology from Latvia, who was selected in a competition organised by the State Language Agency.  

A number of Latvia's state and private higher education establishments have signed bilateral co-operation agreements, also as part of the European Community education programme SOCRATES/ERASMUS, with the Czech higher education establishments. These provide for the exchange of students, lecturers, and scientists.

Co-operation in culture

In 1999, the governments of the Republic of Latvia and of the Czech Republic signed an agreement on co-operation in the field of culture. Cultural co-operation between the two states is very broad and varied.

Since 1 October 2007, a renewed library operates at the Latvian Embassy in Prague, where materials on Latvian history, culture, politics, and art in Latvian, English, Russian, German and Czech are available.  

On 4 October 2007, the video Sounds like Latvia, made by the Latvian Institute, was awarded the first prize out of 775 videos at the international festival of tourism films and videos TOURFILM, in the Czech city of Karlovy Vary. On 14 June 2007, translator Janis Krastins received the Artis Bohemiae Amicis award from the Czech Ministry of Culture. A significant event in the promotion of Latvian-Czech cultural relations is the exhibition project Five Hundred Years of Czech-Latvian Literary Contacts, which from 2006 has been touring libraries and culture centres of Latvian towns for two years. Cultural events, with the participation of Latvian and Czech artists, musicians, writers, and others, regularly take place in Latvia and the Czech Republic.  

Co-operation in agriculture 

In 1999, the Ministries of Agriculture of Latvia and the Czech Republic concluded a co-operation agreement, under which co-operation with the Czech Republic in introducing bio-fuel has been initiated.

The Latvian and Czech Universities of Agriculture have signed a bilateral agreement on the exchange of students and academic personnel under the SOCRATES/ERASMUS programme for 2005-2007. Latvian and Czech agricultural experts share their experience, and work on joint science projects and problems. The key areas of co-operation are assessment of the resistance of potato selection material against diseases and pests; participation in a project on establishing an ecological agriculture information system in the new EU member states; exchange of fruit tree propagation material; and testing varieties of fruit trees.

Co-operation in justice

The State Language Centre is co-operating with the Czech Republic under the international science project The Atlas of the European Languages.

Co-operation in healthcare

Co-operation between the state healthcare institutions of both states takes place mostly under separate programmes and projects. For example, the Clinical University Hospital named after Pauls Stradins co-operates with the Czech Republic as part of the Cochlear Implantation Programme. The Riga Stradins University has established contacts with the University of Prague under the project Cost Action b23 "Facial growth and development".

Key visits:

Legal framework

Database of bilateral agreements: the Czech Republic

Links

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic: http://www.mzv.cz

Government of the Czech Republic: http://wtd.vlada.cz

Chancellery of the President of the Czech Republic: www.hrad.cz

The Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic: http://www.psp.cz

The Senate of the Czech Republic: http://www.senat.cz

Information on the Czech Republic: http://www.czech.cz