The Lebanese Republic recognized the restored independence of the Republic of Latvia on 30 December 1991. Diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Latvia, however, were established on 16 January 1998. In 2000, Lebanon appointed its first non-resident Ambassador to Latvia, with residence in Warsaw. On 7 March 2000, Gerard Assad Renno was appointed Latvia's Honorary Consul in Lebanon. On 3 October 2006, Mr. Renno was appointed Honorary Consul-General.

Relations between Latvia and Lebanon are developing slowly and expanding gradually. Latvia provided support to the Government of Lebanon during the Lebanese crisis in August 2006 by sending a humanitarian cargo worth EUR 56,915 to Beirut.

Lebanese ambassadors (residing in Warsaw)

Ahmad Ibrahim - from 13 June 2000 to 15 September 2003.

Massoud Maalouf - from 26 October 2004 to July 2007.

Bilateral co-operation between Latvia and Lebanon

Parliamentary co-operation

In March 2007, a group of parliamentarians for co-operation with the Lebanese Parliament was established. The group consists of 13 members and is chaired by Ainars Latkovskis. On 3 May 2007, Consul-General Gerard Renno forwarded to the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament a letter from Ainars Latkovskis with an invitation to develop parliamentary co-operation between Latvia and Lebanon.

Economic co-operation 

Although Latvian-Lebanese trade turnover is not high (estimated 1.1 million USD), it shows a tendency towards increase. A solid precondition for the development of trade opportunities is Latvia's membership in the EU, which has opened much wider co-operation opportunities within the framework of the EU-Mediterranean Association Agreement, including co-operation with Lebanon.

Trade

Latvia traditionally maintains a positive trade balance with Lebanon. According to data from the Central Statistical Bureau of the Republic of Latvia for 2006, Latvia's exports to Lebanon totalled USD 1,181,161 (0.02% of the total exports from Latvia), ranking Lebanon 78^th among Latvia's export partners. Latvian imports amounted to USD 215,303, ranking Lebanon 86^th among the import partners.

Trade dynamics

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

Main exports from Lebanon in  2006,  by type of commodity

* Scandinavian Tobacco SIA exports cigarettes to Lebanon

Main imports from Lebanon in 2006, by type of commodity

Trade dynamics between Latvia and Lebanon from 2000 to 2006, million USD

Investment

According to the Lursoft data as of 8 August 2007, 34 Latvian–Lebanese joint ventures had been established in Latvia, mainly in the wholesale trade and trade on commission. Lebanon ranks 63^rd as to the amount of investment (LVL 201,437), the major part of which has been invested in public catering facilities (LVL 145,960).

Co-operation in culture

On the initiative of the Latvian Honorary Consul to Lebanon, Mr Gerard A. Renno, a co-operation exhibition was held in 2006 in Beirut. Among participants of the exhibition there were 19 Lebanese and 2 Latvian artists: Aleksejs Naumovs and Kristaps Zarins. Mara Adina from the Division of Visual Communication of the Department of Culture Policy Implementation, the Republic of Latvia Ministry of Culture, attended the exhibition.

In 2000, with permission of the Lebanese Minister of the Interior, and taking into account the large number of Lebanese students in Latvia, (at the time of foundation the number was 67 out of the total number of 635 foreign students), the Association of Lebanese Graduates was founded, and Houssam Abu Mari was appointed representative of the Association in Latvia. Since 2003, he is Chairman of the Latvian – Lebanese Education and Culture Club. In 2005, this organisation was given the name Latvian – Lebanese Culture Society. The above-mentioned non-governmental organisations were founded with a view of promoting cultural co-operation and understanding from both parties involved.

Contacts

Ambassador of the Lebanese Republic to Latvia (residing in Warsaw):

Adress: ul. Starościńska 1 B m. 10-11,

02-516 Warsaw, Poland

Telephone: (48-22) 844 50 65
 (48-22) 646 35 46

Fax: (48-22) 646 00 30

E-mail: embassy@lebanon.com.pl  

Website: http://www.lebanon.com.pl

Latvia's Honorary Consul in Lebanon, Beirut 

Gerrard Renno, Consul General

Address: Ashrafieh – Sodeco, Sodeco 3 building, 2^nd floor, P.O.Box: 700 - 78 Antelias, Beirut, Lebanon

Telephone: (961) 1 616261

Fax: (961) 4 416413

Latvian – Lebanese Culture Society

Dr. Houssam Abu Mari, Chairman

Address:  Slokas iela 37

Riga, LV – 1007

Telephone: (+371) 7613638