Internationally recognized name – Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, hereafter in the text – Macedonia.

It is essential for Latvia to develop relations with Macedonia which is as a candidate for EU membership (in addition to Macedonia, both Croatia and Turkey also have EU candidate status, and are in the process of discussing accession), and as a potential NATO member. In December 2005 the EU Council decided to grant Macedonia the status of candidate state, without setting a date for the commencement of talks on EU membership.

At the 29 November 2006 Riga summit, NATO member states made a positive evaluation of Macedonia's achievements, such as the July 2006 parliamentary elections and internal reform issues, thereby attesting to the correct decision of the Allies, including Latvia, in supporting Macedonia in its advancement toward Euro-Atlantic integration.

Antonio Milososki, the Foreign Minister of Macedonia, paid an official visit to Latvia on 8-9 December 2006. This was the first official visit to Latvia by the Foreign Minister of Macedonia and the first bilateral agreement with Macedonia was signed during this visit – The Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital. Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks signed the agreement for the Latvian side.

In June 2006 Macedonia announced a permanent visa-free regime for Latvian citizens traveling to Macedonia for a period of up to 30 days.

On 2 January 2007 the Government of Latvia supported visa-free travel procedures for Macedonians in possession of a diplomatic passport.

History of diplomatic relations

On 25 January 1991, Macedonia declared is sovereignty. Latvia recognized Macedonia's independence on 23 March 1993. Diplomatic relations between Macedonia and Latvia were established on 14 March, 1996.

Latvia's first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Macedonia (residing in Warsaw) was Uldis Vitolins (24.04.2003 - 24.11.2004). Since 8 December, 2005 Latvia's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Macedonia (residing in Riga) is Maija Manika.

Macedonia's first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Latvia, Kosta Stoimenovski (residing in Warsaw) received accreditation on 21 May 2002. Since 31 October, 2006 Dimko Kokaroski is Macedonia's Ambassador to Latvia (with residence in Warsaw).

Economic co-operation

The present level mutual trade between Latvia and Macedonia cannot be regarded as active. The balance of trade indicators show that economic co-operation is primarily based on individual, irregular projects.

According to data of Latvia's Central Statistical Bureau, Latvia's exports to Macedonia in 2005 consisted of machinery, mechanisms, and electrical systems, accounting for 100% of Latvia's exports to that country. (in 150^th  place with a total value of 6,066 EUR). Imports from Macedonia in 2005 consisted of vegetable produce (99.7%). Total imports valued at 273,507 EUR (in 80^th place). Latvia has a negative trade balance with Macedonia, in the amount of 267,441 EUR. There are no actual Macedonian investments in Latvia. As of 10 September 2006 the Register of Enterprises of Latvia contains one Macedonian-Latvian joint venture (2,000 LVL), registered in 1998.

As potential sectors for co-operation between businesses of the two countries, the following are being advanced: production of foodstuffs, chemical production, the production of textiles and fabrics, tourism. Latvian enterprises might be interested in offering their services in the IT and banking sectors.

Trade Dynamics

Parliamentary co-operation

In the 9th Saeima there is a Latvian-Macedonian parliamentary co-operation group, comprised of nine Deputies, headed by Silva Bendrate (New Era Party). As of 8  November 2006 the Macedonian Parliament has a Macedonia-Baltic states co-operation group, headed by Chairperson Liljana Popovska (Chairperson of the Macedonian Democratic Reconstruction Party (DROM).

Latvian parliamentarians visited Macedonia on 15-18 April 2004. On 19 September 2005 a return visit to Latvia took place by Macedonian parliamentarians.

Co-operation in the defence sector

Latvia has expressed its readiness to share the experience of NATO integration and National Armed Forces (NAF) reform processes, and the democratic control of the armed forces. In the context of bilateral meetings, several areas of co-operation of mutual interest have been identified, and a plan for co-operation in 2006 has been agreed upon. It is anticipated that a defence co-operation agreement will be concluded (in preparation since the year 2000). An important pre-condition for the development of bilateral co-operation in the future will be the conclusion of an agreement on the exchange of classified information.

Co-operation with Macedonia to date has included several high-level visits:

• 11-12 February 2004 – official visit to Latvia by Vlado Buckovski, Defence Minister of Macedonia;
• 14-16 November 2004 – visit to Macedonia by Edgars Rinkevics, State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Defence.
• 29-31 March 2005 – visit to Latvia by Nikola Petroski, State Secretary of Macedonian Ministry of Defence.
• Talks were held in 2006 between representative staffs of both National  Armed Forces.

Co-operation in Euro-integration

Latvia has expressed its willingness to share its experience in Euro-integration with Macedonia. To date Latvia has provided consultation to Macedonia on issues of government administration (activities of the State Chancellery, European integration, development of the state budget); meetings have been held with representatives of the Latvian State Chancellery, EIB (European Investment Bank), and the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry of the Environment is prepared to offer consultations on issues of environmental protection.

Visits

Links

Foreign Ministry of Macedonia: http://www.mfa.gov.mk