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On 28 August 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Palestine, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, who has arrived in Latvia as part of her regional visit. During their meeting, the ministers discussed the critical security situation in the Middle East and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Baiba Braže underlined that it was vital to resume ceasefire, immediately return all Hamas hostages, and facilitate deliveries of humanitarian and medical aid in Gaza. The Minister asserted the need for every effort to be made to reduce suffering among civilians, and she expressed deep concern over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the risk of a large-scale famine and the high number of civilian casualties. Hamas, recognised as a terrorist organisation by both the EU and the US, must unconditionally release hostages taken in the October 2023 attacks, lay down arms and relinquish power in Gaza.
In an exchange of views on the issue of the recognition of the Palestinian state, Baiba Braže said that Latvia continued supporting a negotiated two-state solution that is acceptable to the parties to the conflict and countries in the region, and endorsed by the international community. Latvia welcomes the efforts of the United States and the region’s countries towards a lasting ceasefire.
Baiba Braže shared Latvia’s perspective of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and its global impact. The meeting also addressed Iran’s destabilising role in the Middle East region. Latvia supports the EU sanctions policy against Iran, with an aim of limiting its role in the Russian aggression on Ukraine, restricting Iran’s nuclear programme and its aggressive regional policy of providing support to Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. The Minister underlined the need for coordinated action to curb, in a targeted manner, the spread of terrorism and Russia’s influence, which has destabilising effects across the Middle East region.
The Ministers also discussed cooperation between Palestine and the European Union and cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, including in the context of Latvia’s upcoming membership of the UN Security Council.
As part of her visit, the Palestinian Foreign Minister also met with the President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, took a tour of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, and together with Baiba Braže, laid flowers at the Freedom Monument.
The Palestinian Foreign Minister continues her regional visit to Lithuania.