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Latvia is developing its relations with Georgia on principles of bilateral co-operation, and on Latvia's status as an EU and NATO member state. The bilateral relationships can be described as friendly and constructive.
An intensive political dialogue is ongoing between the two states and Latvia supports Georgia in its reform process. Georgia is one of the priority states for Latvia under the European Neighbourhood Policy and also in the context of Latvian Development Co-operation policy.
Chronology of diplomatic relations
Diplomatic relations with Georgia were established on 11 March 1993. Currently, the Latvian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Georgia is Andris Vilcāns (since July 2004, non-resident, working from Kiev). Since April 2006, a temporary Chargé d'Affaires, Egons Neimanis, is stationed in Tbilisi.
In June 2006, the issuing of visas for travel to the Republic of Latvia was commenced.
The first Georgian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Latvia was David Aptsiauri (December 2004 to April 2007, non-resident, working from Vilnius). Since 19 March 2007, a temporary Chargé d'Affaires, Teimuraz Janjalia, is stationed in Riga. Georgia is planning to accredit its next Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Latvia by the beginning of 2008, and the Ambassador will reside in Riga.
Parliamentary co-operation
On 16 November 2006, a parliamentary group was established in the 9th Saeima for the co-operation with the Parliament of Georgia. The group comprises 32 MP's and is headed by Mr Dzintars Zakis.
A parliamentary group for the co-operation with Latvia is also established in the Parliament of Georgia. It is chaired by Zurab Tskitishvili.
Future directions of co-operation - Regular and intensive political dialogue;
- Transfer of Latvian experience in implementing democratic and market economy reforms;
- Determining economic interests and intensifying co-operation;
- Extending bilateral legislation;
- Development of cultural contacts.
Development co-operation
Georgia is a priority state of Latvia within the framework of Development Co-operation. Since 2005, more than 10 projects have been carried out in Georgia. Six projects are due to be realised in 2007 with the total funding exceeding 180,000 euros, which comprises one third of the entire amount of the Development Co-operation funding. The projects cover such areas as judicial and municipal reforms, promotion of civil society development, strengthening of educational capacity etc.
Visits and meetings
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13 – 14 September 2007 |
Participation by Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks in foreign ministers' meeting of the New Friends of Georgia group in Vilnius. Bilateral meeting between Artis Pabriks and Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili. |
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5 August – 30 July 2007 |
Visit to Latvia by Zinaida Bestaeva, the Georgian State Minister for Civil Integration. |
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22 – 26 June 2007 |
Visit to Latvia by Giorgi Baramidze, the Georgian State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Vice Prime Minister. |
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17 – 19 May 2007
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Working visit to Latvia by Nino Burdjanadze, the Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament. Meetings with Indulis Emsis, the Speaker of the Saeima, and Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks, as well as participation in thematic conference on Human Resources Development Under Work Place Migration of the Baltic Assembly. |
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18 – 19 April 2007 |
Official visit to Georgia by Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks. |
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9 -12 March 2007 |
Working visit to Georgia by Edgars Rinkevics, the Latvian Ministry of Defence State Secretary. |
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9 – 11 February 2007
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Visit to Latvia by Levan Varshalomidze, the Head of the Ajarian Autonomous Republic of Georgia. |
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28 – 31 January 2007 |
Visit to Latvia by a delegation of Georgian MPs and officials. |
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27 - 29 November 2006 |
Participation by Nino Burdjanadze, the Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament, in the conference on NATO transformation in the new era of globalisation, held during the NATO summit in Riga. During the visit Nino Burdjanadze met with the Speaker of the Saeima, Indulis Emsis, and with Minister of Defence Atis Slakteris. |
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11 - 12 October 2006 |
Visit to Georgia by Ina Gudele, the Latvian Special Assignments Minister for Electronic Government Administration Affairs. |
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19 - 22 June 2006 |
Visit to Latvia by Giorgi Baramidze, the Georgian State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Vice Prime Minister. |
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29 May to 2 June 2006 |
Visit to Georgia by the Karina Petersone, the Latvian Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration. |
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5 - 6 October 2005 |
State visit to Georgia by Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. |
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25 - 30 May 2005 |
Working visit to Georgia by Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis. |
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26 May 2005 |
Working visit to Georgia by Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. |
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11 - 17 May 2005 |
Visit by a delegation of the European integration commission of the Georgian Parliament. |
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12 - 14 May 2005 |
Visit to Latvia by Nino Burjanadze, the Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament. |
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13 - 4 October 2004 |
State visit to Latvia by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia. |
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16 - 18 January 2004 |
Visit to Georgia by Latvian Foreign Minister Sandra Kalniete. |
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22 - 24 September 2003 |
Visit to Georgia by Ingruda Udre, the Speaker of the Saeima. |
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May 2003 |
Political consultations in Tbilisi. |
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December 2002 |
Visit to Latvia by the Secretary of the National Security Council of Georgia, Tedo Japaridze. |
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December 2002 |
Visit to Latvia by the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Nino Burjanadze. |
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June 2002 |
Official visit to Latvia by Georgian Foreign Minister Irakli Menagarishvili. |
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May 2002 |
Visit to Latvia by Georgian Defence Minister David Tevzadze. |
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26 October 2001 |
Visit to Georgia by Mareks Seglins, the Latvian Minister of Interior. |
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7 - 8 May 2001 |
Political consultations between the Foreign Ministries. |
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4 - 7 July 2000 |
Official visit to Georgia by Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins. |
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19 June 1997 |
Visit to Latvia by a delegation from the Parliament of Georgia. |
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March 1994 |
Visit to Riga by a state delegation from Georgia with the aim of intensifying bilateral relations. |
Economic co-operation
Trade turnover with Georgia (January to December 2006)
1. Lithuania – 788,418,743 USD or 14.11% of total Latvian export
2. Estonia – 677,475,768 USD or 12.12%
3. Germany – 562,635,155 USD or 10.07%
4. Russia – 523,368,676 USD or 9.37%
5. UK – 443,333,400 USD or 7.93%
44. Georgia – 5,468,436 USD or 0.1%
1. Germany – 1,609,581,384 USD or 15.02% of total Latvian import
2. Lithuania – 1,373,000,060 USD or 12.81%
3. Russia – 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%
65. Georgia – 2,922,763 USD or 0.03%
Latvia has a positive trade balance with Georgia in the amount of 2,545,673 USD.
Main export commodities to Georgia by type of commodity (2006)
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Type of commodity |
USD |
% |
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Total |
5,468,436 |
100% |
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Products of chemical and allied industries |
2,213,386 |
40.48% |
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Products of food industry |
2,165,120 |
39.59% |
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Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment |
522,437 |
9.55% |
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Textiles and textile articles |
266,244 |
4.87% |
Main import commodities from Georgia by type of commodity (2006)
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Type of commodity |
USD |
% |
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Total |
2,922,763 |
100% |
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Products of food industry |
1,845,559 |
63.14% |
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Plant products |
910,582 |
31.15% |
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Metals and their articles |
90,067 |
3.08% |
Trade dynamics between Latvia and Georgia (1999-2006, USD)
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Year |
Export |
Import |
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1999 |
277,265 |
392,515 |
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2000 |
590,091 |
221,867 |
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2001 |
4,028,767 |
497,756 |
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2002 |
922,354 |
592,346 |
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2003 |
1,726,253 |
580,240 |
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2004 |
4,054,470 |
1,307,469 |
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2005 |
4,656,369 |
984,802 |
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2006 |
5,468,436 |
2,922,763 |
Trade dynamics between Latvia and Georgia
Legal framework
At present there are eleven bilateral agreements signed between Latvia and Georgia. Both countries plan to expand the scope of their bilateral agreements and a number of new agreements are presently being prepared.
Agreements:
Database of bilateral agreements
Information:
Georgian government warns not to invest in Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions
Georgian government has notified the Latvian Foreign Ministry that the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which are outside the control of Georgian authorities, currently face intensive selling out of private and government property (hotels, rehabilitation centres, holiday resorts, factories, mineral mines etc) which is illegal according to Georgian law. Georgia recommends the avoidance of investment and purchase of property in these regions, and warns that it does not guarantee the safety of such investment.
Latvian Investment and Development Agency (29 Aug 2007, published in www.exim.lv)
Link:
Georgian Foreign Ministry
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