On 26–30 January 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riga will host the annual meeting of the heads of diplomatic missions of Latvia. Agenda: Latvia’s priorities in the European Union (EU) for 2026 and an overview of the preparations for Latvia’s Presidency of the Council of the EU; Latvia’s security and defence matters, including the development of Latvia’s military industry and the strengthening of its external border; advancement of Latvia’s economic interests, improvement of cooperation in attracting investment; Latvia’s priorities and work in the UN Security Council for the term of 2026–2027, and protection of the interests of Latvian nationals abroad. Forty-five ambassadors will attend the meeting.
Monday, 26 January
- The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, will open the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 08:45.
- The Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the UN, Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, will speak about key priorities and work on the UN Security Council for the term 2026–2027.
- The Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr Johann Wadephul, will address participants of the meeting on the main tasks of Europe in strengthening European regional security and promoting prosperity.
- The European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, and for Implementation and Simplification, Valdis Dombrovskis, will present information on the tasks and priorities of the European Commission for 2026.
- The Secretary-General of the European Commission, Ilze Juhansone, the Under-Secretary of State for European Affairs, Zane Petre, the Permanent Representative to the EU, Lelde Līce-Līcīte, and the Director of the Secretariat of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Edgars Kiukucāns, will discuss Latvia’s priorities in the EU for 2026, current issues on the EU agenda, and preparations for Latvia’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2028.
On Tuesday, 27 January, the ambassadors will also have a meeting with the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičš, the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, and the Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Siliņa.
Throughout the week, meetings will take place with:
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon;
- Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, Maria Malmer Stenergard;
- Minister of Finance, Arvils Ašeradens, and Latvia’s representative on the EBRD Board of Directors, Jurijs Spiridonovs;
- Chair of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee, Ināra Mūrniece, Chair of the Saeima Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee, Raimonds Bergmanis, and Chair of the Saeima National Security Committee, Ainārs Latkovskis;
- Director of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), Ieva Jāgere;
- President of Latvijas Banka, Mārtiņš Kazāks, and Economist at Luminor Latvija, Pēteris Strautiņš;
- Minister of Transport, Atis Švinka;
- Director of the National Library of Latvia, Dagnija Baltiņa;
- Deputy Head of Financial Intelligence Unit of Latvia for Sanctions, Paulis Iljenkovs, Head of Anti-money Laundering Department at Latvijas Banka, Kristaps Markovskis, and Deputy Director General in the Field of Customs, Director of the National Customs Board at the State Revenue Service, Raimonds Zukulis;
- Undersecretary of State for Logistics of the Ministry of Defence, Major General Andis Dilāns;
- State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Aivars Puriņš, Ambassador of Latvia to NATO, Māris Riekstiņš, and EU Political and Security Committee Ambassador, Kristaps Brusbārdis;
- Commander of the National Armed Forces, Major General Kaspars Pudāns;
- Chief of the State Border Guard, General Guntis Pujāts.
The ambassadors will visit the Autonomous Systems Competence Centre to learn about its work and main tasks, and to view the latest drone and autonomous system technologies developed by Latvian defence industry companies. There will also be a meeting between the ambassadors and representatives of the company Edge Autonomy.
For the attention of the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs!
Monday, 26 January:
- 08:45 – speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže
- Press Conference Hall (photos and videos for the press at the beginning of the meeting)
Tuesday, 27 January:
- 09:00 – interactive discussion with Prime Minister Evika Siliņa
- Press Conference Hall (photos and videos for the press at the beginning of the meeting)
- 09:45 – joint photo of ambassadors with Prime Minister Evika Siliņa
- (photos and videos for the press in the Atrium)
Media representatives are invited to register their participation by email: media@mfa.gov.lv. Please register by 17:00 on 25 January at the latest.
Media representatives interested in arranging individual interviews with ambassadors are invited to contact Diana Eglīte, Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by email: diana.eglite@mfa.gov.lv.
Information on media opportunities for the visits of the German, Slovenian, and Swedish Foreign Ministers will be communicated separately.