Ambassador's welcome
Dear visitors of the website!
In 2008 Latvia celebrates the 90th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Latvia. Latvia became independent on the 18th of November, 1918.
Finland recognized the independence of the Republic of Latvia on the 26th of August, 1919 de facto, and on the 26th of January, 1921 de jure.
Relations between Latvia and Finland are very good, dynamic and constructive. There is a genuine friendship and mutual trust. This is based of deep understanding of our common history and today's realities in the region and the world.
In a wider sense there is a new historical opportunity in our relations. The first outstanding momentum was when Latvia regained independence in the beginning of nineties. It was a time when Latvia reintroduced itself as a European and democratic country. In way it was a romantic time. There was a genuine impetus from both of our nations to regain natural status of our relations, which was lost during the period, when Latvia was occupied. The relations developed fast and became rich.
Today we face the next momentum. Latvia joined the EU in 2004. We are happy that the decision to start accession talks was taken during the EU Helsinki summit in 1999. We are very grateful to the leaders of Finland and to the Finnish people for assistance and help to regain our place in the family of European nations. And it is a new and permanent task today - to develop further co-operation and friendship in our bilateral relations and Nordic Baltic network in the framework of EU agenda. It means introducing of new and interested people and building new networks in our relations.
And the basis for it is very good.
There is high-level and mature political dialogue going on. The President of Latvia, Mr. Valdis Zatlers, visited Finland in August 2007 to meet President of Finland, Mrs. Tarja Halonen. The prime ministers and members of the both governments have extensive exchange of visits and mutual dialogue. There are stable co-operation and communication channels between the ministries and other state institutions. Sister cities of Rīga and Pori are proud to be long-term and trustful partners. The capitals of our countries Rīga and Helsinki have extensive partnership programs.
Economic co-operation between Latvia and Finland generally is a success story. Especially if we take a look at the direction from Finland to Latvia. The leading Finnish companies are investing and are well represented in such crucial areas as banking, insurance, food production, construction materials and technologies as well in retail trade. They are not only investing in Latvia, but also bringing modern experience, expertise and knowledge to our society. And it is very important for Latvia. The latest trend is successful co-operation in the field of tourism. We in Latvia would like to expand and deepen co-operation in this area. It is important from the point view of economics and it brings our nations closer to each other.
The field of cooperation in culture is blossoming with beautiful flowers. It means the souls of our people close and our artists, painters and singers do what statesmen and diplomats could not do. There is a good soil for it, because the culture life in Finland is rich. People to people diplomacy is developing well and our relations are really breathing in a natural way.
There is well-established co-operation and mutual support in the framework of EU. We are happy to be the partners in the New Neighbourhood projects of EU. The co-operation in the relation of the external border of the EU is very important. On 21 December 2007, Latvia together with other new member states of the European Union - Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia and Malta - acceded to the Schengen Agreement.
Generally speaking it is a great honour and challenge entrusted to me to fulfil the mission of maintaining and strengthening the relations of cordial friendship and good understanding, which exist between Latvia and Finland.
Dr. Einars Semanis
Ambassador of Latvia to Finland.
