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Latvia and Romania share a common interest in promoting security and welfare from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, as well as in Europe as a whole. Rumania's accession to the European Union as well as its NATO membership has opened an opportunity to both countries for the broadening of contacts at various levels.
History of diplomatic relations
The government of the Kingdom of Romania recognised the independence of the Republic of Latvia on 26 February 1921 and established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Latvia on 3 January 1922.
On 13 September 1991, Latvia and Romania signed an agreement on the renewal of diplomatic relations.
Latvian Ambassadors to the Republic of Romania:
Peteris Vaivars (27/01/1998 - 19/09/2000), Andris Vilcāns (14/01/2002 - 19/12/2003).
From 23 January 2006, Alberts Sarkanis is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to Romania, with residence in Warsaw.
Romanian Ambassadors to the Republic of Latvia:
Lucian Fatu (09/10/2001 - 01/03/2004), Petru Cordos (16/11/2004 - 09/05/2005).
From 9 September 2005, the Romanian Ambassador to Latvia is Gheorghe Tokay, with residence in Vilnius.
Honorary Consuls
On 5 July 2002, the Romanian Honorary Consulate was opened in Riga, headed by the Honorary Consul of Romania to Latvia, Aleksandrs Rutmanis.
Key areas of bilateral co-operation
Parliamentary co-operation
A group of deputies for co-operation with Latvia has been established in the Parliament of Romania and has 20 members. The group is chaired by Mircea Ciopraga, from the National Liberal party.
Economic co-operation
Economic relations between Latvia and Romania are expanding year by year. In the future, economic co-operation between the two countries could be further developed in the fields of IT, telecommunications, energy efficiency and pharmaceutical industry. Latvia-Romania trade turnover is dominated by machinery and mechanical appliances, as well as electrical equipment. As of the first half of 2007, Latvia's exports to Romania amounted to 2.1 million EUR or 0.08% (47th place), but imports – 1.9 million EUR 0.04% (51st place).
Main exports to Romania, by type of commodity, II Q 2007
|
Type of commodity |
Million EUR |
% of total exports |
|
Total |
2.11 |
100 % |
|
Machinery and mechanical appliances ; electrical equipment |
0.79 |
41% |
|
Prepared foodstuffs |
0.53 |
22% |
|
Miscellaneous manufactured articles |
0.21 |
11% |
Main imports to Romania, by type of commodity, II Q 2007
|
Type of commodity |
Million EUR |
% of total imports |
|
Total |
1.92 |
100 % |
|
Machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment |
0.42 |
24 % |
|
Base metals and articles of base metals |
0.40 |
23 % |
|
Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof |
0.34 |
19 % |
Dynamics of trade between Latvia and Romania from 2001 to 2nd quarter 2007, EUR
Investments
As of 6 September 2007, eight Romanian-Latvian joint companies were listed with the Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia. The accumulated investments by Romanian residents into the registered basic capital of Latvia's companies amounted to 109.34 LVL. All Romanian investors are private persons, and have invested in construction, data processing, real estate market etc. Romania ranks 68th as regards investments into the basic capital of companies registered in Latvia.
Co-operation in culture
In recent years, co-operation between Latvia and Romania has intensified. Latvian artists have participated in various events in Romania, and several exhibitions have taken place.
In October 2006, an exhibition by the Academic Library of Latvia entitled Romania and Latvia in a United Europe and an exhibition Latvia's Road from the Singing Revolution to the European Union by the Museum of the Popular Front of Latvia opened in Bucharest. Both exhibitions highlighted the historical, educational, cultural and scientific processes in Latvia which relate to the historic links between Latvia and Romania. Photographic art by Jānis Gleizds was also on view as part of the event.
On 13 June 2007, an exhibition by the Academic Library of Latvia was also opened in the city of Sibiu, the European Capital of Culture 2007.
Co-operation in education and science
Latvia's higher education establishments have concluded bilateral co-operation agreements with tertiary education institutions in Romania. The Rēzekne Higher Education Institution co-operates with the West University of Timisoara, and the Rīga Stradiņš University – with the Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie "Iuliu Hatieganu" Cluj-Napoca.
Defence co-operation
In the field of defence, among the countries of the south-eastern region of Europe Romania at present has the closest bilateral co-operation with Latvia. Bilateral military and political consultations, as well as expert discussions on defence planning, sustainment, personnel management, military education and training, and also public relations issues are held on a regular basis.
Since August 2006, Lt. Col. Iluliu Lucaci, defence attaché of Romania, resident in Warsaw, has been accredited to Latvia.
In May 2007, Lt. Col. Andris Kalniņš was accredited non-resident defence attaché to Romania.
Visits
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28 September 2006 |
Meeting between President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga of Latvia with President Trajan Basesku of Romania, during the 11th Francophone Summit in Romania |
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11-13 September 2003 |
Working visit to Latvia by Prince Radu of Hohenzollern-Veringen, Special Representative of the Romanian Government for Integration, Co-operation and Sustainable Development |
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27-28 November 2001 |
State visit to Latvia by President Ion Iliescu of Romania |
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13 September 1991 |
Official visit to Latvia by Adrian Nastase, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania |
Legal framework
Database on bilateral agreements: Romania
Internet links
The President: http://www.presidency.ro/
The Government: www.gov.ro
The Senate: http://www.senat.ro
The Chamber of Deputies: http://www.cdep.ro/
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.mae.ro
The Embassy of Romania in Vilnius: http://www.romania.lt
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