On Friday, 28 August 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, welcomed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania, Oana Țoiu, to Riga on a working visit, her first visit to Latvia. The Ministers discussed cooperation between Latvia and Romania in the areas of security and defence, the expansion of economic ties, support for Ukraine, the EU Multiannual Financial Framework and EU enlargement. During the visit, the Embassy of Romania in Riga was officially opened.
During the meeting, Baiba Braže thanked Romania for its contribution to the defence of the Baltic states’ airspace, noting that this year marks Romania’s fourth participation in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission. The Minister particularly commended the professional conduct of Romanian pilots on 19 May, when a Romanian F-16 neutralised a drone that had entered Estonian airspace from Russia.
As countries on NATO’s eastern flank, Latvia and Romania are directly experiencing the security risks and hybrid threats posed by Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Ministers discussed expanding cooperation in the development of air defence and anti-drone capabilities, the defence industry, the protection of critical infrastructure and the fight against disinformation. Baiba Braže invited Romania to join the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence in Riga.
The Ministers expressed satisfaction with the growth in economic ties. The total foreign trade turnover between Latvia and Romania reached EUR 230.7 million in 2025, an increase of 27.3% compared to 2024. Both countries see extensive opportunities for cooperation in the defence industry, digitalisation, biomedicine and pharmaceuticals, smart energy, connectivity, photonics and smart materials. A tangible example of this cooperation is the involvement of LMT and its Romanian partners in the development of Vantage, a next-generation tactical unmanned aerial system.
During discussions on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework, the Ministers emphasised the need to ensure sufficient funding to strengthen the EU’s eastern border, defence capabilities and military mobility. Latvia and Romania will continue to support Ukraine and Moldova, as well as the Western Balkan countries, on their path towards the EU, based on each candidate country’s progress and implementation of reforms. Both countries agree that Ukraine must continue to receive all necessary support, while increasing pressure on Russia and preventing the normalisation of its aggression.
During the visit, Oana Țoiu officially opened the first resident embassy of Romania in Latvia since the restoration of independence. It continues the historical tradition of diplomatic relations between the two countries – Romania first opened its mission in Riga in 1929. This year marks 105 years since Romania recognised Latvia’s independence and 35 years since the restoration of diplomatic relations.
The Ministers also welcomed the direct airBaltic flights between Riga and Bucharest, which expand business and tourism opportunities and strengthen people-to-people ties. More than 10,000 visitors from Romania come to Latvia each year.
