Co-operation between Latvia and France is developing successfully both bilaterally and within the EU and NATO. Both countries have established an active political dialogue. On 15 May 1992, after the restoration of independence of Latvia, President Francois Mitterand of France was the first among the Western Heads of State to arrive on a state visit to Latvia. During his visit, the Embassy of the Republic of France was opened in Riga. The immediate past President of France, Jacques Chirac, was on a state visit to Latvia in 2001. Latvia's high-ranking officials have made regular visits to France. The most significant among them was an official visit by President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, from 7 to 9 November 2005, as part of the festival Etonnante Lettonie in France.

The Foreign Ministries of both countries support an ongoing dialogue. On 30 August 1991, after the restoration of independence of Latvia, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Roland Dumas, made a visit to Latvia. Regular meetings are held at the level of foreign ministers and experts. On 11 February 2005, the French Foreign Minister, Michel Barnier, made an official visit to Latvia. On 2 November 2005, as part of his visit to Paris, Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks met with the French Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Catherine Colonna, and participated in the opening of the festival Etonnante Lettonie. A reciprocal visit by Ms Colonna to Latvia took place on 29 - 30 March 2006. On 11 - 12 May 2006, Normans Penke, the State Secretary of the Foreign Ministry visited France to take part in political consultations.

From 2 November to 5 December 2005, the festival Etonnante Lettonie was held in France, with a number of projects lasting until March of 2006. The aim of the festival was to promote Latvia in France and make it recognizable among the French community, thereby providing an additional impetus for future successful long-term co-operation between the two countries in political, economic, tourism, culture and other sectors. The festival is an unprecedented event in Latvian history: no other country before had hosted more than one hundred events related to Latvia in 34 different cities over a relatively short period of time.

On 7 November 2005, during an official visit to France, the President Vike-Freiberga and President Jacques Chirac of France, agreed to organize a French festival in Latvia in the spring of 2007. The festival entitled Un Printemps français en Lettonie 2007 took place from 21 March to 21 June in Riga and in various towns of Latvia: Cesis, Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Kuldiga, Liepaja, Skrunda, Talsi, Valmiera, Valka, Ventspils etc. The festival schedule included over 200 events. Parallel to a series of cultural events, a vast economic programme as well as conferences, seminars and master classes were held. Co-operation projects of Latvian and French municipalities, e.g. Riga - Bordeaux, Jurmala - Cabourg, Vidzeme region - Bas-Rhin and others were also highlighted.

History of diplomatic relations 

Owing to the support of the French President Alexandre Millerand and active involvement by French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand, the new State of Latvia was recognised de iure at the conference of Allied powers in Paris on 26 January 1921.

France has never recognised the annexation of Latvia by the former Soviet Union. On 27 August 1991, France and other member states of the European Community recognised the restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia and diplomatic relations between the two countries were restored on 30 August 1991. 

The first French Ambassador to Latvia, Mr Jacques de Beausse was accredited on 27 September 1991 and was succeeded by Ms Jane Debenest from 3 June 1993. From 21 May 1996 to May 1999 the Ambassador of France was Mr Bernard Poncet, followed by Ms Louise Avon from 18 May 1999. On 5 November 2002, Michel Foucher was accredited as the Ambassador of France to Latvia. From 31 January 2006, the Ambassador of France to Latvia is Mr Andre-Jean Libourel.

On 18 March 1992, Ms Aina Nagobads-Abols was accredited as the Ambassador of Latvia to France, and was succeeded by Ms Sandra Kalniete on 10 June 1997. On 1 April 2003, Rolands Lappuke was accredited as the Ambassador of Latvia to France.

There are eight Honorary Consuls of Latvia working in France:

• Alain Mesnil, resident in Calais (appointed 1997);
• Jean de Pelissot, resident in Marseilles (appointed 1996);
• Alain Pelfrene, resident in Lyon (appointed 2000);
• Claire Gauthrot, resident in Nancy (appointed 2001);
• Baudouin Thiry, resident in Bordeaux (appointed 2001);
• Michel-Henry Vandesmet, resident in Nantes (appointed in 2006);
• Richard Burgsthaler, resident in Strasbourg (appointed in 2006);
• Sylvie R. Rosenfeld, resident in Toulouse, appointed in 2006.  

Parliamentary co-operation

The Latvian-French Parliamentary Friendship Group was established under the 6^th Saeima on 30 January 1996 and renewed under the 9^th Saeima on 23 November 2006. The Chair of the Group is Ms Sandra Kalniete (New Era), with Mr Andris Berzins as Vice-Chairman (Union of Greens and Farmers).

The President of the French-Latvian Friendship Group at France's Assemblée Nationale was the member of the French Socialist Party, Nathalie Gauthier. Following her death, a new candidate has not been yet nominated.

The France-Baltic States Friendship Group of the French Senate delegated responsibility for co-operation with Latvia to Jacques Valade, the President of the Senate's Cultural Affairs Committee,. The France-Baltic States Friendship Group is headed by Senator Denis Badr.

On 2-4 December 2003, at the invitation of the President of the French Assemblée Nationale, Jean-Louis Debre, the Speaker of the Saeima, Ingrida Udre, made a visit to France. The parliamentary co-operation and friendship groups exchange visits regularly. On 6-10 December 2004, the French-Latvian parliamentary friendship group of the French Assemblée Nationale made a visit to Latvia.

Economic co-operation

In 2006, Latvia's export to France was EUR 78,058,439 or 1.74% of the total export volumes; while the imports from France amounted to EUR 209,276,685 or 2.46% of the total import volumes. In 2006, Latvia had a negative trade balance with France for the amount of EUR 131,218,246.

Since 1 December 2003, the Representative office of the Latvian Investment and Development agency, headed by Haralds Celms, has been operating in France.

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

January - December 2006

• Export

1. Lithuania - 626,740,647 EUR or 14.11% of total exports from Latvia
2. Estonia - 538,234,608 EUR or 12.12%
3. Germany - 447,816,470 EUR or 10.07%
4. Russian Federation - 415,342,445 EUR or 9.37%
5. United Kingdom - 352,497,937 EUR or 7.93%

...

16. France - 78,058,439 EUR or 1.74%

• Import

1. Germany - 1,278,230,457 EUR or 15.02% of total imports to Latvia
2. Lithuania - 1,090,232,705 EUR or 12.81%
3. Russian Federation - 710,081,879 EUR or 8.32%
4. Estonia - 642,801,715 EUR or 7.56%
5. Poland - 596,234,160 EUR or 7.01%

...

12. France - 209,276,685 EUR or 2.46%

Main export commodities to France by type of commodity in 2006

Type of commodity	Million USD	Percentage of total exports
Total	78.06	100%
Wood and articles of wood Plywood and veneer panels- 28% Wood sawn lengthwise, wood in chips or particles- 39%	24.63	31.56%
Machinery and equipment, electrical appliances Insulated wire and cable, optical fibre cables - 88%	14.30	18.32%
Miscellaneous manufactured goods Furniture and parts thereof - 77%	11.10	14.22%
Products of chemical or allied industries Ammonia, anhydrous or in aqueous solution - 83%	8.38	10.73%
Textiles and t4extile articles Yarn of man-made filaments - 24% Women's suits, ensembles - 17%	6.19	7.93%
Base metals and articles of base metals Waste and scrap of iron  - 74%	3.42	4.38%

Main import commodities to France by type of commodity in 2006

Type of commodity	Million USD	Percentage of total imports
Total	209.28	100%
Machinery and equipment, electrical appliances Electronic integrated circuits and micro-assemblies - 22%	57.70	27.57%
Food products Wine of fresh grapes - 50 %	36.46	17.42%
Products of chemical and allied industries Medicaments - 38% Perfume and toilet preparations - 21%	35.13	16.79%
Vehicles Motor cars, principally designed for the transportation of persons - 53%	15.50	7.41%
Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof	13.91	6.64%
Textiles and textile articles	12.09	5.78%

Trade dynamics between Latvia and France from 1999 to November of 2006 (USD)

Year	Export	Import
1999	29,448,466	87,865,292
2000	35,989,733	103,697,563
2001	42,889,858	94,183,764
2002	49,819,010	113,729,530
2003	57,021,205	131,568,112
2004	59,570,463	125,242,025
2005	70,464,156	132,414,083
2006	78,058,439	209,276,685

Investment (according to data from the Bank of Latvia)

As of the end of the third quarter of 2005, the total amount of foreign direct investment constituted LVL 2,729,384 (in 2004, the amount totalled LVL 2,188,446).

As of the end of the third quarter of 2005, the five largest investors in Latvia are:

1. Germany - LVL 404,182 or 14.81% of the total amount of foreign direct investment in Latvia;

2. Sweden - LVL 386,390 or 14.16%;

3. Estonia - LVL 243,114 or 8.91%;

4. Netherlands - LVL 240,592 or 8.81%;

5. Russia - LVL 204,541.

Investments

Latvian investments in France (according to the data of the Bank of Latvia)

As of the end of the 3^rd quarter of 2006, accrued direct investment in France amounted to 0.6 milion LVL.

French investment in Latvia

As of the end of the third quarter of 2006, the French direct investment (investment in the equity of companies + other capital inflows (incl. Re-invested profits and loans from mother companies to daughter companies) amounted to 11 million LVL.

French direct investments in Latvia  (net transactions during the respective period, according to the data of the Bank of Latvia):

• 2005 - 13.2 mln LVL;
• 2006, 1^st quarter - 11.00 mln LVL;
• 2006, 2^nd quarter - 12.1 mln LVL;
• 2006, 3^rd quarter - 11.00 mln LVL.

As of 12 March 2007, a total of 145 French - Latvian joint ventures were listed with the Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia. Accrued investment in the equity of Latvian companies since 1991 amounts to 2.916 Million LVL, ranking France the 35^th (according to Lursoft statistical data on listings of the Register of Enterprises of Latvia).  

Co-operation in culture and education

On 14 April 1997, Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of France on Co-operation in the Field of Culture, Education,Technics Science and Technology was signed. Thriving co-operation maintained over recent years in all the areas of culture, as well as the active cultural and art exchanges between both countries should not be underestimated. It should also be noted that the Embassy of France in Latvia, its Cultural and Co-operation Centre, and the French Cultural Centre have played a significant role in promoting and strengthening cultural ties.

One of the most significant bilateral co-operation projects is the programme of co-operation between Latvia and France in the areas of culture, education, science, technology and institutional development for 2003-2005. The programme was signed in Riga on 3 April 2003, during the visit of the French Minister for European Affairs, Ms Noelle Lenoir.

In recent years successful co-operation has been established in almost all fields of cultural endeavour, and cultural and art exchange activities are being organised more frequently between both countries.

As part of the festival Etonnante Lettonie, Latvian museums, theatres, choirs, libraries, the Latvian National Opera and others engaged in co-operation with their French counterparts. The French response to the festival - "A French Cultural Springtime of 2007" is the largest event celebrating French culture ever to be held in North Europe; it aims at familiarising Latvia with French art, society and traditions as well as stimulating co-operation between Latvia and France in various fields.

At present, a significant number of Latvian state and private higher educational establishments have concluded co-operation agreements with French higher schools - either on bilateral partnership or as part of the European Community educational programme SOCRATES/ERASMUS. The agreements provide for the exchange of students, lecturers and scientists. Joint seminars, research conferences and projects are also being organized under the co-operation agreements. An agreement between the Latvian and French governments on the implementation of the programme The French Language and Teaching of the European Union Issues in Latvia in 2005-2008 is currently being implemented. The French government awards scholarships to Latvian students on a yearly basis. In 2006, there were 33 Latvian students in France, and 18 French students in Latvia.

Co-operation in other fields

Defence

France was one of the first countries with which the Latvian Ministry of Defence established co-operation. Also the French Minister of Defence, Pierre Joxe, was one of the first foreign defence ministers to visit Latvia as early as January of 1993.

On 11 May 1994, the Latvian and French Ministries of Defence signed an agreement on mutual co-operation in the area of defence. The agreement provides for the annual development of a bilateral co-operation plan and definition of specific directions co-operation for co-operation. Co-operation in the field of training has been especially intensive.

Home affairs

Latvia's State Police, State Border Guard, Security Police and the Information Centre of the Ministry of Interior have established successful co-operation with their French counterparts. A mutual exchange of information and experience is taking place and French language courses for the State Border Guard staff are  held regularly.

Transport

The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of France on International Transport of Goods by Road was signed in Paris on 26 November 1992. Since this date, eight sessions of the Latvian - French joint commission have been held on the issues of international transportation of goods. The most recent of these meetings took place on 2 June 2006 in Paris, when agreement was reached on the abolition of the regime of permits for road haulage to/from third countries, starting from 1 July 2006.

At present, the airlines Air Baltic Corporation is operating regular (three times a week) flights Riga-Paris-Riga.

Social sector

France has made a significant contribution to the opening of an orphanage school at Grasi (Cesvaine, Madona region) through the participation of a French non-profit organisation Cap d'Esperance.

Regional co-operation

The bilateral partnership of the Latvian Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government with public institutions of France is developing within the framework of the Cultural, Scientific, Technological and Institutional Co-operation Programme between the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of France. Co-operation between the Baltic states and France in the tourism sector started in 2000 within the framework of the programme Planning of the Baltic Tourism Industry for 2010, through strengthening and adapting the Tourism Training and Education System in line with European Practice. The programme covers all three Baltic states.

Several visits by French delegations to Latvia have taken place and promoted project development in all cases. For example, tourism projects between the north coast of France and the Riga Region have been initiated and on 20 April 2005 an agreement on co-operation in economy, culture and education has been signed between Vidzeme and the Bas-Rhin departement in France.

Co-operation thrives among the regions and cities of both countries:

Vidzeme and Valka / Bas-Rhin and Alsace

Zemgale and Jelgava / Dijon (Bourgogne) and Rueil-Malmaison

Kurzeme / Basse-Normandie and Caen

Latgale / Lorraine, Moselle, Metz

Riga / Bordeaux, Lyon, Paris, Calais, Marseille

Jurmala / Cabourg

Science

Active co-operation in science is regulated by the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of France on Co-operation in the Field of Culture, Education, Technics, Science and Technology, of 14 April 1997.

The Latvian - French co-operation programme titled Osmosis aims at promoting co-operation between research laboratories and institutes for the implementation of advanced scientific research and technology development.

In May 1994 in Paris, a co-operation agreement between the Latvian Academy of Sciences and the French Academy of Sciences was signed. The partners engage in a regular information exchange. Two French scientists - Rene Moreau (mechanics) and Jacques Simon (physics), have been elected as foreign members to the Latvian Academy of Sciences.

The Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia, the University of Latvia and the Institute of Physics of the University of Latvia continue their co-operation with French scientists and representatives of industries on research in magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) within the project titled Ampere Initiative. On 20 - 21 July 2006 in Riga, French and Latvian scientists held a discussion forum on the further development of the project. As part of the project, there are plans to establish a European-scale magnetohydrodynamics research centre The Ampere Institute hosted by the Institute of Physics of the University of Latvia in Salaspils. The aim of the investments is to support development of applied research and promote an effective application within industries of public-funded research findings as well as creation of new competitive companies.

Most significant visits

At the level of Heads of state

To France
10-11 February 2007	President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, participation in Forum de Paris
7-9 November 2005	President Vaira Vike-Freiberga
28 April 2005	President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, to Lille
10-12 March 2004	President Vaira Vike-Freiberga
7-9 April 2003	President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, on a working visit
30 September - 2 October 2002	President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, on a working visit
22-26 May 2000	President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, on a working visit
13-15 July 1998	President Guntis Ulmanis, on a working visit
13-16 April 1997	President Guntis Ulmanis, on an official visit
12 April 1994	President Guntis Ulmanis, on a working visit
To Latvia
28-29 November 2006	President Jacques Chirac, parallel to NATO summit in Riga
27-28 July 2001	President Jacques Chirac, on an official visit
15 May 1992	President Francois Mitterrand, on a State visit

At the level of the Parliament Speakers

To France
2-4 December 2003	Ingrida Udre, Speaker of the Saeima
3 September 2002	Janis Straume, Speaker of the Saeima; opening of the exhibition "Aïda. The Magic Flute" by Ilmars Blumbergs in the Orangery of the French Senate
2-3 December 1998	Janis Straume, Speaker of the Saeima
28 October - 1 November 1996	Alfreds Cepanis, Speaker of the Saeima
11-15 December 1993	Anatolijs Gorbunovs, Speaker of the Saeima
To Latvia
2-3 April 1996	Rene Monory, President of the Senate of the French Parliament

At Heads-of-Government level

To France
24-25 November 1999	Andris Skele, Prime Minister
9-11 May 1994	Valdis Birkavs, Prime Minister
May 1993	Ivars Godmanis, Prime Minister
February 1992	Ivars Godmanis, Prime Minister
July 1992	Ivars Godmanis, Prime Minister

At the level of Foreign Ministers

To France
7-8 March 2007	Artis Pabriks, Foreign Minister
2 November 2005	Artis Pabriks, Foreign Minister; opening of the festival Etonnante Lettonie
17 September 2004	Artis Pabriks, Foreign Minister
7-9 March 2004	Sandra Kalniete, Foreign Minister, on a working visit
2-3 October 2003	Sandra Kalniete, Foreign Minister, on a working visit
26-29 April 2003	Sandra Kalniete, Foreign Minister, on a working visit
26-30 March 2003	Sandra Kalniete, Foreign Minister, on a working visit
6 December 2002	Sandra Kalniete, Foreign Minister; participation in the 1st regional "Forum Europe" in Orleans
13 December 2001	Indulis Berzins, Foreign Minister, to Paris
7-11 July 1999	Valdis Birkavs, Foreign Minister, to Paris
12-13 April 1999	Valdis Birkavs, Foreign Minister, to Paris
2-4 May 1998	Valdis Birkavs, Foreign Minister, to Paris
13-15 April, 22-23 October, 19-20 November 1997	Valdis Birkavs, Foreign Minister, to Paris
To Latvia
11 February 2005	Michel Barnier, Foreign Minister, on an official visit
30 August 1991	Roland Dumas, Foreign Minister

Bilateral agreements

Database of bilateral agreements signed between Latvia and France

External link

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of France: http://www.france.diplomatie.fr