Relations between Latvia and Malta are good. The process of EU integration has fostered contacts between Latvia and Malta and, consequently, a constructive political dialogue has developed between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries.

History of diplomatic relations

This is the 15^th year since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malta and Latvia. Malta recognized Latvia's independence on 26 August 1991. On 1 January 1992, diplomatic relations between the two countries were established.

The first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Malta to Latvia H. E. Mr. William C. Spiteri was accredited on 21 May 1996 (residing in Bonn). The present Ambassador of Malta H. E. Mark Miceli-Farrugia (residing in Valetta, Malta) was accredited on 11 March 2003.

The first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to Malta H. E. Mr. Martins Perts (residing in Rome) was appointed on 19 April 2001. From 20 November 2003 to 31 July 2006, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to Malta was Janis Lusis.

Economic Cooperation

Trade:

During last year the trade volume between Latvia and Malta has grown. In 2005, Latvia's exports to Malta constituted EUR 18,991,938 (or 0.48% of total Latvian exports), and Latvian imports from Malta constituted EUR 304,009 (or 0.0046% of total Latvian imports). Malta is the 25^th largest exporter and 78^th largest importer in Latvia.

Latvia has a positive trade balance with Malta; it amounts to EUR 18,687,929.

Main exports to Malta in 2005, by type of goods

Type of goods	EUR	Proportion of total exports
Total	18,991,938	100%
Plant products	13,654,778	71.90%
Mineral products	5,139,394	27.06%

The main export goods:

Plant products:

• Wheat, mixture of wheat and rye (EUR 11,663,913 or 61.42% of total Latvian export to Malta);
• Rape seeds, also split, in the amount of EUR 1,961,208 or 10.33% of total export to Malta.

Mineral products:

• Petroleum and oils from bituminous minerals, except raw oils; products of oil-extracting industry not mentioned elsewhere, containing petroleum oil or oil extracted from bituminous materials 70% of weight, provided these oils are principal component parts of products for processing; oil waste (fuel oils; heavy oils; engine lubricants, compressor lubricants and turbine lubricants).

Main imports from Malta in 2005, by type of goods

Type of goods	EUR	Proportion of total exports
Total	304,009	100%
Machinery and mechanical appliances	221,908	72.99%
Base metals and articles of base metals	43,711	14.38%
Different industrial goods	22,533	7.41%

The main import goods:

Machinery and mechanical appliances:

• Transmission trees, cranks, bearing corps, bearings, jacks and pumps

Base metals and articles of base metals:

• Ironware and steelwork

Different industrial goods:

• Inventory for track-and-field athletics, heavy athletics and other sports.

Trade dynamics between Latvia and Malta from 2000 to September 2005

Investments:

According to data of the Central Bank of Latvia, at the end of 2005, the total amount of Maltese investments in Latvia was LVL 3,764,000.

As of 10 May 2006, 14 Maltese - Latvian joint ventures were registered in the Latvian Enterprise Register.

The most of Maltese capital in Latvia is invested in

• selling, buying and renting of real estate;
• stevedoring, management of stevedoring warehouses, land and water transportation services, and pipeline transport;
• oil processing and production of chemicals.

The largest Maltese investors in Latvia are:

• MAKHOLD Limited;
• Venus Holding Limited;
• IMG LV Limited;
• Logistics Holding Limited;
• O.W. Bunker (Malta) Limited;
• Hili Company Limited.

Transport and communications

For a number of years already the container terminal SIA Baltic Container Terminal run by a Maltese company has been operating successfully in the Port of Riga. Approximately 97% of containers loaded in Latvian ports are loaded in this terminal.

SIA Bite Latvija, SIA Latvijas Mobilais Telefons and SIA Tele2 offer guest subscription in Malta.

Co-operation of local governments

Latvia and Malta co-operate within the framework of ESPON – the European Spatial Planning Observation Network as part of the project INTERREG IIIB.

The City Council of Riga has commenced negotiations with the local governments of Valetta and Luca about co-operation in city development, transportation, attraction of investments, culture and tourism.

As part of the co-operation between the Riga City Council and the Local Council of Valetta, activities are continued in the Union of Capitals of the European Union (UCUE). In 2004, representatives of the cities of Valetta and Riga took part in the meeting of mayors in Budapest and in the meeting of youth in Madrid. On 7 – 10 October 2005, the Chairman of the Riga City Council, Aivars Aksenoks, met with the delegation of the Local Council of Valetta in the annual UCEU general meeting in Amsterdam.

In October 2005, in the international conference Airport cities in the European Union, the Vice-chairman of the Riga City Council, Almers Ludviks, and the delegation met with representatives of the Local Council of Luca in Fjumichino (Italy). The main theme of discussions was co-operation between both cities in attraction of investments and development of tourism.

Health Care

From December 2004 to December 2006, the Latvian Food Centre has been co-operating with Malta in the program DAFNE V (The Health Monitoring programme of the Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection of the European Commission). The aim of this program is to create an effective joint databank for monitoring food availability in the European Union.

Most significant visits

3 – 4 September 2006	Working visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta Dr. Michael Frendo to Latvia
18 – 20 June 2006	State visit of the President of Malta Edward Fenech-Adami to Latvia
16 - 18 February 2004	State visit of Latvia's President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to Malta
1 - 3 November 2000	Official visit of Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins to Malta
14 - 15 October 1999	Working visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta Dr. Joseph Borg to Latvia

Most Significant Agreements

Database of bilateral agreements: The Republic of Malta

Links:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malta – http://www.foreign.gov.mt/