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On 15 January 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, met with Costas Fountas, President of the Council of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), to discuss the further development of scientific and technological cooperation with CERN, as well as Latvia’s goal to achieve full membership in CERN.
Latvia became an associate member of CERN on 2 August 2021. The associate membership status has opened up a wide range of opportunities for Latvian scientists, students, and businesses, fostering high added value research, innovation, and economic growth. Currently, more than 20 Latvian scientists and researchers from Latvian universities are actively involved in a research programme at CERN. Moreover, several Latvian specialists also work at CERN in both scientific and administrative positions.
Cooperation with CERN also brings significant benefits to Latvian companies. High-precision metalworking and ICT companies regularly participate in CERN procurements. Since 2021, Latvian companies have executed CERN orders worth over EUR 0.5 million, with the value increasing annually.
Full membership in CERN would allow Latvia to take even fuller advantage of the opportunities offered by the Organization, strengthen national research capacity, promote innovation and closer cooperation between science and industry, and also make a long-term contribution to national security and competitiveness.
It was noted by Baiba Braže at the meeting that CERN operates the world’s largest particle physics research laboratory, giving countries access to world-class science and technology development.