Latvia and Ireland enjoy good relations; a political dialogue of mutual interest has developed. During the presidency of Ireland Latvia became a member state of the EU. To celebrate the accession of the new member states, the Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Richard Piks visited Dublin on 1 May 2004. With Latvia becoming a member state of the EU, new opportunities have opened up for broadening Latvian-Irish relations.

At the end of 2003 Latvia opened an Embassy in Dublin. Since 25 January 2005 the Latvian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Ireland is Indulis Ābelis.

Since 11 October 2005 Ireland's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Latvia is Tim Mawe.

Since 1998 the duties of Ireland's Honorary Consul have been fulfilled by Michael J. Bourk who became Consul-General on 8 August 2003. The Latvian Honorary Consul in Ireland, George McCullagh, has held this post since 1996.

Funding has been granted under the "Latvian Diaspora support programme for 2004 – 2009" for a week-end school for Latvian children in Ireland "Saulgriezīte".

History of diplomatic relations 

During the 1990s Latvia's interests in Ireland were represented by consular agencies in Belfast and Londonderry (Northern Ireland). In 1940 a Latvian Honorary Consul was stationed in Ireland (Dublin), as well as Vice-Consuls in Cork and Waterford. Ireland's interests in Latvia were represented by the Embassy of Great Britain.

Following the loss of independence of the Latvian state in 1940, Ireland officially declared that it does not recognise Latvia as part of the USSR.

Together with other countries of the European Community, Ireland recognized Latvia's independence on 27 August 1991. Documents on diplomatic relations between the two countries were signed on 9 October 1991 during the visit of Ireland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gerard Collins, on 9 October 1991.

The first Ambassador of Ireland to Latvia, Richard A. O'Brien, was accredited on 27 November 1991 (residing in Warsaw).

Parliamentary co-operation 

Good co-operation has developed between the Latvian and Irish Parliaments. A group for co-operation between the Parliaments of Latvia and Ireland was established during the 6^th Saeima in 1996, and it continues to operate during the 8th Saeima, headed by Guntis Berzins.

In 1999, the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and members of the Irish Parliament visited Latvia. From 8 to 9 October 2001, a delegation of members of the Saeima visited Ireland at the invitation of the Head of Administration at the Irish Parliament, Conan McKenna.

Latvian labour force in Ireland

In May 2004, Ireland opened its labour market to free movement of labour from the new EU member states. During the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2005, it is estimated that 22,018 members of the population of Latvia have received Ireland's personal social service numbers which are issued in order that the arriving Latvians may take advantage of the services provided by Ireland's tax, social insurance and social welfare systems. In August 2006 there were 20,301 Latvian workers registered in Ireland (4^th place among EU countries).

Economic co-operation 

Although Ireland is not among the main Latvian trade and investment partners, for several years now Latvia has a positive trade balance with Ireland. (Ireland holds 17^th place in exports and 29^th place in imports). 

During the first half of 2006 Latvian exports to Ireland amounted to 40,73 million EUR, but import – 10.65 million EUR.

The main goods Latvia exported to Ireland during the first half of 2006 were base metals and their products  (58.17%), wood and its products (33%), textiles (5.56%), imported machinery (52.81%), production of the chemical industry and allied sectors (12.59%), food items (11.04%).

Main export goods to Ireland by type of goods during first half of 2006

Main import goods from Ireland by type of goods during first half of 2006

Trade between Latvia and Ireland 1998 to the second quarter of 2006 in EUR

Investments (according to data of the Bank of Latvia)

At the end of the second quarter of 2006, direct Irish investments in Latvia amounted to 26,68 million LVL.

As at 6 September 2006, there were 127 Irish – Latvian joint ventures registered with the Companies Register of the Republic of Latvia.

Home Affairs

For several years the Ministry of Interior has been co-operating with Ireland's Garda Police College where senior staff of the Latvian police may learn English.

Co-operation is developing among structural units of home affairs. In September 2002, officials of the Irish National Immigration Police came to Latvia on an introductory visit of introduction, and in December 2002 officials of the Latvian State Border Guard made a return visit to Dublin under the ODISSEUS programme, and learned of the structure, duties and technical equipment of the Irish Immigration Police and of the Irish experience in fighting illegal immigration.

Education and Science

The Latvian Academy of Arts signed a co-operation agreement with the Dublin Institute of Technology under the programme Socrates/Erasmus. Under the Erasmus project the Rēzekne University co-operates with the Institute of Technology Tralee (exchange of instructors). The Banking University co-operates with the Bank of Ireland, International Services Ltd, in Dublin under the Leonardo da Vinci project. The Liepaja Academy of Pedagogy signed a co-operation agreement under the Erasmus project with the Froebell College of Education in June 2005.

In 2004 under the EU enlargement programme a number of events were organised in Ireland for the purpose of providing more information on the new EU member states and the Latvian Embassy participated in the organisation. An exhibition of photography "Latvian scenery" by the Latvian photographer Māris Kundzinš was opened in Drogheda, a sister city of Latvia, and a concert took was presented by the academic choir "Latvija".

Co-operation in the area of welfare

In 2005 and 2006 Ireland's Employment and Training Service exchanged experience with the Latvian National Employment Agency on reduction of unemployment and on the promotion of employment, co-operation in studying and predicting the  labour market and integration of successful EURES experience  in the national network, and on consultations for Latvians seeking work and planning to work in Ireland.

In December 2004, the Latvian National Employment Agency, in co-operation with Ireland's Employment and Training Service, launched a project to provide young people with the opportunity to study and later work in the restaurant and hotel trade in Ireland.

Administrative co-operation

Ireland has offered various courses and seminars for the staff of Latvian public administration.

The Latvian School of Public Administration maintains its co-operation with Ireland on a training system for civil servants, the latest achievements in the area of public administration, training of civil servants for work in EU institutions, and continued education for senior state officials.

Co-operation in the area of public administration has also been established with the Irish Institute of Public Administration in Dublin. One of its activities is international cooperation – both in training of civil servants, and providing of consultations in the public administration sector.

Riga – Dublin

On 7 April 2005 in Dublin a friendship and co-operation agreement was signed between Riga and Dublin. At the invitation of the Mayor of Dublin, Michael Conagan, Latvia participated in an event for mayors of the capitals of member states of the European Union Building Bridges to Capitals at which guests were introduced to development projects of the City of Dublin. A business conference was held during this event where Dublin business people were briefed on the experience of Irish investors in the new member states. 

Exchange of Visits 

Signed agreements

Data base containing information on bilateral agreements with Ireland

Links

Home page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ireland: http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie/