The Republic of Latvia and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg enjoy friendly bilateral relations. Mutual interest in developing bilateral co-operation is stimulated by common future and opportunities for co-operation within the EU and NATO. At present there is a regular political dialogue between both countries, including the exchange of visits and political consultations.

History of diplomatic relations

Luxembourg did not recognise the annexation of the Baltic States by the USSR in 1940-1991 either de iure or de facto. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were restored on 21 April 1992. The interests of Luxembourg in Latvia are represented by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Riga.

On 2 April 2003, Latvia accredited Mr Raimonds Nitiss its military attaché in Luxembourg (resident in Paris).

From 10 November 2004, Latvia's Honorary Consul in Luxembourg is Mr Henri Diederich.

Economic cooperation

Economic co-operation and the volume of trade between Latvia and Luxembourg are relatively small. In 2005, Latvia's exports to Luxembourg totalled EUR 359,808, while imports from Luxembourg amounted to EUR 4,426,249, ranking Luxembourg 96th and 43^rd respectively. As of the end of 2005, Luxembourg's accrued direct investment in the equity of companies registered in Latvia amounted to LVL 9.19 million (according to data from the Bank of Latvia). As of 31 May 2006, 48 Luxembourgian-Latvian joint ventures were registered with the Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia (according to data from Lursoft).

Main export commodities by type of commodity in 2005, EUR

Type of commodity	M EUR	Percentage of total exports
Total	0.359	100%
Base metals and articles of base metals	0.250	69.54%
Optical equipment and apparatus	0.042	11.7%
Timber and timber products	0.038	10.6%

Main import commodities by type of commodity in 2005, EUR

Type of commodity	M EUR	Percentage of total imports
Total	4.42	100%
Base metals and articles of base metals	2.94	66.57%
Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment	0.48	10.9%

Trade dynamics between Latvia and Luxembourg from 1999 to 2005, EUR

Year	Export	Import
1999	172,738	467,110
2000	152,432	2,292,984
2001	571,375	1,955,824
2002	73,771	2,835,133
2003	249,289	2,993,501
2004	107,328	3,704,770
2005	359,808	4,426,249

Latvia and Luxembourg have established a successful co-operation in the area of financial services, involving the training of representatives from Latvian commercial banks in Luxembourg. There is also a potential for building the co-operation in the areas of information technology and the media.

Co-operation in areas of culture and education

As part of the EGMUS (European Group on Museum Statistics) project, regular cooperation takes place between the Latvian State Board of Museums and Luxembourg's Ministry of Culture, Higher Education and Research. The goal of the project is to summarise information on the activities of the European museums and develop common statistical methodology. Latvia and Luxembourg have also launched joint cultural projects, one of them being a performance by trumpet virtuoso Pierre Kremer from Luxembourg at the festival Restart Beach on 1 April 2005 in Riga.

The University of Latvia has established co-operation with the University of Luxembourg under the project Campus Europae.

Co-operation in other areas

Co-operation between the armed forces of Latvia and Luxembourg is developing primarily in the realms of training and technology.

As part of the programme INTERREG IIIC, co-operation also takes place in the field of regional development and municipal affairs to ensure harmonious and balanced development in the entire European territory. Under this programme, Latvian and Luxembourgian partners participate in the implementation of the R.E.N.E. (Rural Extension Network Europe) project.

Most significant visits

Visits by Latvian officials to Luxembourg
13 June 2006	Working visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Artis Pabriks, to Luxembourg
27 October 2004	Working visit by the Prime Minister of Latvia, Indulis Emsis, to Luxembourg
19 - 20 May 2003	Working visit by the Chairperson of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee, Inese Vaidere, to Luxembourg
28 March 2000	Official visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Indulis Berzins, to Luxembourg
25 October 1999	Working visit by the President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, to Luxembourg
27 - 29 October 1997	Working visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Valdis Birkavs, to Luxembourg
Visits by Luxembourgian officials to Latvia
25 October 2005	Visit by the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn, to Latvia
21 October 2003	Visit by the Chairman for the Foreign, European Affairs and Defence Committees of Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies, Mayor of Luxembourg, Paul Helminger, to Latvia
20 – 21 September 2003	Visit by the Vice-Speaker of Luxembourg's Parliament and Representative to NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Nicolas Bettendorf, to Riga
30 June 2003	Working visit by the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister of Luxembourg, Lydie Polfer, to Latvia
21 April 2002	Visit by the Minister of Defence of Luxembourg, Charles Goerens, to Latvia
22 - 23 May 2000	Working visit by the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jean Claude Juncker, to Latvia
28 - 29 September 1999	Working visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg, Lydie Polfer, to Latvia
27 – 29 October 1997	Visit by the Minister of Culture of Luxembourg, Guy Dockendorf, to Riga
19 - 20 May 1992	Working visit by the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jacques Santer, to Riga

Agreements

Database of bilateral agreements between the Republic of Latvia and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Link on the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg – www.mae.lu