|
Latvia and the Netherlands have established relations in numerous fields. Active political and economic dialogue takes place, and vast contacts have been set up at the level of municipal and NGO sector.
Diplomatic Relations
Diplomatic relations between Latvia and the Netherlands were established on 5 March 1921. The first Latvian Ambassador to the Netherlands was Oskars Voits (residing in Berlin, 1925-1932). From 1938 to July 1940, the Latvian Ambassador to the Netherlands was Edgars Krievins (residing in Berlin).
In the interwar period, the Netherlands had its Embassy in Riga. The Netherlands recognised the restored Republic of Latvia on 27 August 1991. In October 1997, Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo officially opened the Dutch Embassy in Latvia, which had been operational since December 1996.
As of 19 August 2008, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Latvia is Jurriaan Kraak.
The Latvian Embassy in the Netherlands was opened in January 1998. As of 27 August 2008, the Latvian Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands is Sanita Pavluta-Deslandes.
Latvia is also represented in the Netherlands also by Hendrijk van de Roemer, Honorary Consul in Noordwijk.
Parliamentary Contacts
A regular exchange of parliamentary visits between both states takes place. A particularly successful co-operation has been established between the Foreign Affairs and European Affairs committees and also between the Baltic and the Benelux Parliamentary Assemblies.
Economic co-operation
The Netherlands is a significant economic co-operation partner to Latvia; the development of trade between both countries shows positive dynamics. Latvia has always emphasised its wish to further and enhance its economic relations with the Netherlands.
Foreign trade
In 2007, Latvia's foreign trade turnover with the Netherlands amounted to 428.5 million EUR or 1.4% of total turnover (373.1 million EUR in 2006), including exports of 116.0 million EUR or 0.6% of total exports (108.3 million EUR in 2006), and imports of 312.5 million EUR or 0.8% of Latvia's total imports (269.3 million EUR in 2006).
In 2007, the Netherlands ranked twelfth among Latvia's export partners and was in tenth place according to imports.
In 2007, when compared to 2006, Latvia's export to the Netherlands had grown by 11.7%, but import has increased by 16.0%).
Trade (according to data of the Central Statistical Bureau of the Republic of Latvia)
In 2007:
1. Lithuania – 804,302,208 EUR or 14.92 % of total exports from Latvia
2. Estonia – 739,000,313 EUR or 13.71 %
3. Russia – 549,458,209 EUR or 10.19 %
4. Germany – 468,183,740 EUR or 8.68 %
5. Sweden – 416,916,795 EUR or 7.73 %
.
12. The Netherlands – 116 ,013,731 EUR or 2.15%
1. Germany – 1,521,440,212 EUR or 14.86 % of total imports to Latvia
2. Lithuania – 1,390,612,826 EUR or 13.58 %
3. Russia – 929,812,795 EUR or 9.08 %
4. Estonia – 807,740,837 EUR or 7.89 %
5. Poland – 689,377,950 EUR or 6.73%
.
10. The Netherlands – 312,504,850 or 3.05%
Latvia has a negative trade balance with the Netherlands to the amount - 196,491,119 EUR.
Main export commodities to the Netherlands by type of commodity in 2007, million EUR
|
Type of commodity |
Million EUR |
% of total exports |
|
Total |
116.0 |
100% |
|
Wood and articles of wood |
55.8 |
48.2% |
|
Base metals and articles of base metal |
9.3 |
8.0% |
|
Mineral products |
8.6 |
7.4% |
|
Live animals and animal products |
8.2 |
7.1% |
|
Textiles and textile articles |
7.7 |
6.6% |
|
Products of chemical and allied industries
|
6.5 |
5.6% |
|
Machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment |
6.5 |
5.6% |
|
Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof |
4.0 |
3.4% |
|
Vegetable products |
3.7 |
3.2% |
|
Miscellaneous manufactured articles |
2.8 |
2.5% |
|
Vehicles |
1.5 |
1.3% |
Main imports from the Netherlands by type of commodity in 2007, million EUR
|
Type of commodity |
Million EUR |
% of total imports |
|
Total |
312.5 |
100% |
|
Machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment |
90.7 |
29.0% |
|
Vegetable products |
50.5 |
16.2% |
|
Products of chemical and allied industries |
28,0 |
9,0% |
|
Vehicles |
27,9 |
8,9% |
|
Prepared foodstuffs |
21,3 |
6,8% |
|
Plastics and articles thereof, rubber and articles thereof |
14,4 |
4,6% |
|
Base metals and articles of base metal |
13,7 |
4,4% |
|
Textiles and textile articles |
12,8 |
4,1% |
|
Optical instruments and apparatus (incl. medical); watches and clocks, musical instruments |
12,5 |
4,0% |
Trade dynamics between Latvia and the Netherlands from 2003 and 2007, EUR
|
Year |
Export |
Import |
Balance |
Total turnover |
|
2003 |
83,546,554 |
144,598,672 |
-61,052,118 |
228,145,226 |
|
2004 |
78,118,635 |
188,527,313 |
-110,408,678 |
266,645,948 |
|
2005 |
82,081,539 |
229,863,015 |
-147,781,476 |
311,944,554 |
|
2006 |
103,823,380 |
269,309,390 |
-165,484,010 |
373,132,770 |
|
2007 |
116,013,731 |
312,504,850 |
-196,491,119 |
428,518,581 |
Investments
As at the end of 4th quarter of 2007, accrued direct investments by Latvia in the Netherlands comprised 0.5 million LVL, but accrued direct investment from the Netherlands in Latvia was 295.4 million LVL (The Bank of Latvia).
As of 18 July 2008, the accrued Netherlands investment in equity capital of Latvian companies comprised 144.8 million LVL (5th place). There were 274 Netherlands-Latvian joint ventures listed on the Register of Enterprises of Latvia (12th place).
Defence co-operation
On 27 April 1998, the Protocol of Intent between the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia and the Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on bilateral contacts and co-operation in defence matters was signed. Although for a number of years the main focus was on co-operation between both countries within multilateral projects, after Latvia joined the EU and NATO, the Netherlands is increasingly focusing its attention on the development of bilateral co-operation.
In August 2003, the Dutch Military Attaché to Latvia CDR RNLN Bruno Johannes Gerrits (as of September 2006 residing in the Hague) was accredited. The Military Attaché of Latvia to the Netherlands, Lt. Col. Arnis Kalnājs (residing in London), was accredited in August 2007.
Transport
There are regular passenger traffic connections between Latvia and cities in the Netherlands (Utrecht, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Breda). KLM Royal Dutch Airlines provides daily flights on the route Riga - Amsterdam. On 26 October 2008, the national airline airBaltic intends to launch direct flights from Riga to Amsterdam.
Co-operation between municipalities
Latvia and the Netherlands are developing extensive regional contacts. Ever since 1990 Latvia co-operates with the Netherlands province of Overijssel in the areas of environmental protection, justice, transport, tourism and local governments. Riga, Liepaja, Jelgava, Ogre, Aluksne, Preili, Sabile and Ergli all have sister-cities in the Netherlands. The main fields of co-operation are agriculture, tourism, business and culture.
Co-operation in culture and education
Notwithstanding the fact that Latvia has not concluded any co-operation agreements with the Netherlands in the sectors within the competence of the Ministry of Education and Science neither at state, nor at ministry level, co-operation between both countries in this sphere is active. It covers both multilateral and international projects and the exchange of experience among research institutions.
In education, Latvia experiences close co-operation with the distinguished universities of the Netherlands, - a significant number of Latvian state and privately owned higher education establishments have concluded co-operation agreements with their counterparts in the Netherlands. These agreements provide for the exchange of students, professors, and researchers. Latvian higher education institutions actively co-operate with their counterparts in the Netherlands within the framework of EU educational and science programmes. Co-operation in the field of culture between both states is constantly expanding. The most active contacts have been established between museums, libraries and archives, and also in the field of theatre, children's literature, cinema and classical music.
Most significant visits and meetings in international conferences/forums
Heads of state
|
22-24 May 2006 |
State visit to Latvia by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. |
|
18-19 January 2005 |
Official visit to the Netherlands by Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. |
Heads of parliament
|
21 August 2006 |
Working visit to Latvia by Frans Weisglas, President of the Dutch House of Representatives. |
|
16-19 February 2006 |
Working visit to the Hague by Ingrida Udre, Speaker of the Saeima. |
|
3-5 June 2004 |
Working visit to Latvia by Frans Weisglas, President of the Dutch House of Representatives. |
|
23-26 September 2001 |
Official visit to the Netherlands by Janis Straume, Speaker of the Saeima. |
Prime ministers
|
26 April 2006 |
Working visit to Latvia by Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende. |
|
29 October 2001 |
Official visit to Latvia by Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok. |
|
22-24 October 2000 |
Official visit to the Netherlands by Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins. |
|
14-16 March 1994 |
Official visit to the Netherlands by Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Birkavs. |
Foreign ministers
|
2 - 3 October 2007 |
Visit to Latvia by the Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen. Participation in the 3+3 (Baltic states and the Benelux) Foreign Minister Meeting at Jurmala. |
|
22 - 24 May 2006 |
Visit to Latvia by the Dutch Foreign Minister within the framework of the state visit by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. |
|
8 March 2005 |
Working visit to Riga by Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Rudolf (Ben) Bot. |
|
9 September 2003 |
Working visit to Latvia by Dutch Foreign Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. |
|
10-12 March 2003 |
Visit to the Hague by Latvian Foreign Minister Sandra Kalniete (as part of the inauguration of the International Criminal Court). |
|
13 June 2001 |
Working visit to the Netherlands by Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins. |
|
October 1997 |
Visit to Riga by the Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo (official opening of the Dutch Embassy in Latvia). |
|
15-16 April 1993 |
Official visit to Latvia by Dutch Foreign Minister Pieter Hendrick Kooijmans. |
|
11 February 1991 |
Visit to the Netherlands by Latvian Foreign Minister Janis Jurkans. |
Most significant agreements
Database of bilateral agreements
Links to web pages on the Netherlands:
The Royal House: http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/english/index.jsp
The Senate of the Parliament: http://www.eerstekamer.nl/
The Lower House of the parliament: http://www.tweede-kamer.nl/
The Netherlands Government: http://www.government.nl
The Netherlands Foreign Ministry - http://www.minbuza.nl
The Statistics Netherlands (CBS): http://www.cbs.nl/en-GB/default.htm?languageswitch=on
|
