Latvia enjoys friendly relations with Peru. Bilateral co-operation between the states presents potential for development in the future, especially in such areas as cultural, education, and trade contacts. With Latvia's accession to the EU, Latvia joined the EU co-operation dialogue with Peru, which takes place within the framework of the EU-Andean Community dialogue.

Diplomatic relations 

Before 1940, Latvia's interests in Peru were represented by the British government. Peru was among those states which did not recognize the incorporation of Latvia into the USSR. Latvia and Peru established diplomatic relations on 23 July 1996. The accreditation visit of the first Peruvian Ambassador, Jose Emilio Romero, to Latvia in 1997 was the first visit by a representative of the Peruvian government to Latvia. In February 1999, the second Ambassador of Peru, Eduardo Llosa Larrabure, was accredited. He served in office until 29 July 2003. As of 1 April 2004, Peru has transferred its diplomatic representation in charge of relations with Latvia from Stockholm to Helsinki.

From 11 October 2005 to 29 June 2008, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Peru to Latvia was Manuel Picasso Botto.

He was succeeded by  Dr. Félix C. Calderón, who was accredited as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Peru to Latvia on 28 October 2008.

From 21 March 2003 to 26 February 2005, Juan Carlos Martinez Manjon performed the duties of the Peruvian Honorary Consul in Latvia. Currently, Peru has not assigned a new Honorary Consul in Latvia.

As of 28 January 2005, the Latvia's Honorary Consul in Peru is Raul Santiago Lozano-Merino. 

Most significant visits and meetings

Agreements

• Agreement on the easing of visa regulations for holders of Latvian and Peruvian diplomatic and service passports;
• Agreement on co-operation in culture, science, and education.

Co-operation in other areas

A Latvian diplomat studied at the Diplomatic Academy of Peru for a term in the study year 2005/2006. 

Economic co-operation

Trade in 2007 (according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia)

• Exports

1. Lithuania - $1,104,276,549 or 14.92 % of total exports from Latvia

2. Estonia - $1,012,996,060 or 13.71 %

3. Russia - $754,756,207 or 10.19 %

4. Germany - $641,778,696 or 8.68 %

5. Sweden - $572,475,044 or 7.73 %

...

35. Peru - $16,100,561 or 0.21 %

• Imports

1. Germany - $2,080,875,667 or 14.86 % of total imports to Latvia

2. Lithuania - $1,905,124,957 or 13.58 %

3. Russia - $1,275,941,206 or 9.08 %

4.      Estonia - $1,104,605,815 or 7.89 %

5.      Poland - $943,534,553 or 6.73 %

...

85. Peru - $250,583 or 0.00018 %

In 2007, Latvia had a positive trade balance with Peru totalling - $15,849,978. 

Main Latvian exports to Peru in 2007, in USD.

Type of goods	USD	Percentage of total exports
Total	16,100,561	100%
Base metals and metal articles	15,531,991	96.47%
Machinery and mechanical appliances; electric equipment	193,393	1.20%
Timber and articles thereof	161,237	1.00%
Products of food industry	148,089	0.92%
Mineral products	61,689	0.38%
Animals and animal products	2,946	0.02%
Plant products	1,070	0.01%
Fats and oil	146	0.00%

Main imports from Peru in 2007, in USD.

Type of goods	USD	Percentage of total exports
Total	250,583	100%
Animals and animal products	204,941	81.79%
Textile and textile articles	41,604	16.60%
Raw skins and skins, leather, furs and articles thereof	1,615	0.64%
Precious and semi-precious stones, precious metals and metals plated with precious metals and articles thereof	1,428	0.57%
Plant products	614	0.25%
Shoes, hats, umbrellas and other articles	230	0.09%
Miscellaneous manufactured goods	87	0.03%
Wood pulp; paper and cardboard	64	0.03%

Latvian-Peruvian trade dynamics, 1998-2007, USD

Year	Exports	Imports
1998	7,254,214	-
1999	15	27,306
2000	30,359	200,923
2001	3,162,362	712,498
2002	5,786,551	105,263
2003	10,561,432	12,779
2004	3,098,215	25,812
2005	10,019,262	761,494
2006	712,704	814,382
2007	16,100,561	250,583

Investment

As of 3 March 2008, Peruvian investment in the equity capital of Latvia-registered companies totalled 555,807 and 4 Latvian-Peruvian joint companies were listed with the Register of Enterprises of Latvia ^[1].

Other activities

On 25 May 2006, the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in conjunction with the staff of the Foreign Ministry, organised an informative workshop on Opportunities in the Peruvian Market. At the seminar, Latvian businessmen and those interested had an opportunity to become better acquainted with the situation in Peru and in the whole of Latin America.

Contacts:

Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia to the Republic of Peru

Dr Raul Santiago Lozano-Merino

Address: Jiron Junin No 165, Lima 18, Peru Republic

Phone: + (511) 444 7903

Fax: + (511) 444 3061

E-mail: rlozano@plf-abogados.com

Peruvian Embassy in Helsinki, Finland

Address: Annankatu 31-33 C 44, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

Phone: +3589 759 9400

Fax: +3589 759 940 40

E-mail: embassy.peru@peruemb.inet.fi

Peruvian Foreign Ministry www.rree.gob.pe

[1] Information of the Register of Enterprises of Latvia published by Lursoft