On Monday, 19 May 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Baiba Braže, will welcome a working visit from the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Mihai Popșoi, who will be staying in Riga from 18 to 20 May. The Ministers will discuss the bilateral relations between Latvia and Moldova, Moldova’s integration into the European Union, and the security situation in the region, affected by both Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and Russia’s hybrid threat against Moldova.
During the visit, the Minister of Transport Atis Švinka and Minister Mihai Popșoi will sign an Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of Moldova on the recognition and exchange of driving licences. As Moldova is not a member of the European Union yet, the agreement will facilitate the participation in road traffic of the nationals of Moldova and Latvia who move to the other country for permanent residency.
Mihai Popșoi will also meet with the Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, the Chair of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee, Ināra Mūrniece, and the Director of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, Jānis Sārts.
Baiba Braže and Mihai Popșoi will meet with students of the NATO field training and simulation programme (NATO Field School) for a discussion on current security-related topics.
The Moldovan Foreign Minister will visit the Museum of Occupation of Latvia, deliver a guest lecture at the University of Latvia, and give interviews to Latvian media.
For the attention of the media
Photo un video opportunities:
- at 11.40 – the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Moldova laying flowers at the Freedom Monument
- at 12.00 – arrival of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova at the Foreign Ministry and signing of the Gest Book (K. Valdemāra iela 3, atrium on the 1st floor);
- at 14.30–15.00 – a joint press conference of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Moldova (K. Valdemāra iela 3, the Conference Hall). Languages: Latvian and English.
Please apply for participation by 14.00 on 6 May, via an e-mail to the Foreign Ministry: media@mfa.gov.lv.
Members of the media are requested to plan their arrival not later than 20 minutes before each event.
Bilateral relations between the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Moldova (in Latvian)