In time for the Fourth of May, the anniversary of the restoration of independence, and also with an eye to the upcoming hundred year anniversary of Latvia’s international recognition de iure, a timely collection of essays has been published - “One hundred years of Latvian Diplomacy: the First Century of the Latvian Foreign Service.” This anthology of essays is released now on the occasion of the Latvian Foreign Ministry’s centennial and in recognition of the contributions made by diplomats to Latvia’s statehood and in Latvia’s development as a country on the world stage.
In the new book, one finds essays by both current and former Latvian diplomats brought together for the first time. The essays explore the work of Latvian diplomacy over the past century including main lines of work and aspects of international relations. The anthology compiles historical facts and assessments derived from the professional and personal experience of the authors, in Riga and abroad, and with their perspectives on how Latvia’s independence has been ensured and supported.
Mārtiņš Drēģeris, who had the original idea for the book and managed its production, remarked that it’s important to gather and preserve firsthand accounts of experienced diplomats showing how they have shaped international relations. The main goal of the authors was to describe their visions of what they have been doing in a very direct and personal manner, going into details about the individual responsibilities and postings they have had as well as the spirit of the times in which they lived. So this is a book written by professionals who have themselves been directly involved in diplomatic work, and it is a good primary source of information on the Latvian foreign service and Latvia’s diplomatic objectives and accomplishments.
The essays evaluate diplomatic work spanning a century including the challenges that Latvia has faced, with an eye to its creation and continuity, encompassing 21st century trends while examining also the beginnings, Latvia’s recognition by the international community and the specific efforts made to ensure independence and uphold sovereignty, carrying Latvia forward into the future, including through cooperation with the diaspora. The book of essays has information on the role and significance of Latvia’s bilateral and multilateral relations, on European integration, international law, security and defence policy, foreign trade, public diplomacy, and strategic communication.
Authors of the essays are: Edgars Rinkēvičs, Gints Apals, Argita Daudze, Sandra Kalniete, Mārtiņš Virsis, Alberts Sarkanis, Gints Jegermanis, Eduards Stiprais, Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Māris Riekstiņš, Ilgvars Kļava, Jānis Mažeiks, Gunda Reire, Ingrīda Levrence, Normans Penke, Iveta Šulca, Edgars Poļanskis, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Vija Buša, Guna Japiņa, Kristīne Līce, Raimonds Jansons, Artis Bērtulis, Baiba Braže, Mārtiņš Drēģeris, Silvija Križevica, Iveta Šķiņķe and Valdis Rūsiņš.
“One Hundred Years of Latvian Diplomacy” is an anthology of essays which researchers, political scientists, historians, and international lawyers will find to be of particular value as a reference and resource, furnishing interesting facts from the daily lives of diplomats and elucidating events which have made a difference in the course of history but are perhaps not as well known as they should be.
One Hundred Years of Latvian Diplomacy is published [in Latvian] by "Zvaigzne ABC" and the book is produced in the framework of the Latvian Foreign Ministry’s centenary. It is available in bookstores and online.