Latvia has friendly relations with Ecuador; however, mutual co-operation between both countries has not been active so far mainly due to the large distance and other priorities set by the countries.

Diplomatic relations

The Republic of Ecuador has never recognised the annexation of Latvia by the USSR. Ecuador recognised the independence of the Republic of Latvia on 2 September 1991. On 21 October 1992, in New York, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Ecuador signed a Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations.

Ecuador's interests in Latvia are represented by its Embassy located in Stockholm. Hernan Guarderas, the first Ambassador of Ecuador to the Republic of Latvia, presented his credentials on 7 February 1995. His successor, Alfonso Lopez Araujo, was accredited on 14 October 1997, but the third Ecuadorian Ambassador to Latvia Diego Stacey Moreno - on 14 May 2002. He fulfilled his duties until 2003. The fourth Ambassador of Ecuador to Latvia, Mr Carlos Jativa Naranjo, was accredited on 5 October 2004. Ecuador has not yet appointed its new Ambassador to Latvia.

In September 2003, Ecuador appointed Dr Dainis Krievins its Honorary Consul to Latvia.

Parliamentary co-operation

On 13 May 2004, the 8^th Saeima set up a parliamentary co-operation group with Ecuador (headed by Ms Erika Zommere, People's Party). At the moment, however, the group has not renewed its activities.   

Economic co-operation

Trade

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

January - December 2006

• Exports

1.  Lithuania - 788,418,743 USD or 14.11 % of 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 %

...

108. Ecuador – 231,771 USD or 0.00%

• Imports

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

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

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

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

6.  Poland – 751,076,957 USD or 7.01 %

...

71. Ecuador – 962,267 USD or 0.01%

In 2006, Latvia had a negative trade balance with Ecuador, to the amount of – USD 730,496.

Main exports to Ecuador by type of commodity in 2006

Main imports from Ecuador by type of commodity in 2006

Trade dynamics between Latvia and Ecuador from 1998 to 2006, in USD

Investment

As at 6 august 2006, no investment by Ecuador in the equity of Latvian-registered enterprises had been recorded, and no Ecuadorian-Latvian joint ventures were listed with the Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia. ^[1]

Trade missons

From 23 October to 4 November 2003, the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised a market research trip to Ecuador for Latvian businessmen. As part of the visit, the Latvian delegation met with members of the Quito Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Guayaquil Chamber of Commerce.

Cultural co-operation

From August until October 2004, an exhibition of the works by Ecuadorian artists entitled "Distant Ecuador" was on display at the Pauls Stradins Museum of the History of Medicine. 

Facts and Figures 

Contact information

http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/ministry/mission/?lv=2&org=ECU

[1] Information from the Register of Enterprises of Latvia on Lursoft database