Form 31 January to 1 February, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins made an official visit to Ukraine to meet with the state's leaders. The agenda of the meetings included issues of bilateral relations and integration of Ukraine into the EU and NATO.
On 1 and 4 February, the Foreign Ministry will hold a training course for Latvian embassy diplomats, who work with EU-related topics. The purpose of the training is to intensify and enhance the involvement of embassies in discussions on topical EU-related issues, and in the representation and promotion of Latvia's interests in EU member states as well as outside the EU.
From 7 February to 23d March, My Way, the exhibition by renowned Latvian painter Aija Zarina will be displayed at Museum Kampa in Prague. The exhibition will show Aija Zarina's recent paintings, which are still full of her strong spirit of idealism.
On 31 January, under the aegis of the Co-operation Protocol between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NGOs, Under-Secretary of State Ilze Juhansone met with representatives of NGOs and social partners in order to evaluate the results of the Portuguese Presidency, and to brief them about Latvia's priorities during the Slovenian Presidency.
On 4-5 February, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will be on an official visit to the Republic of Moldova. During the visit, discussions will focus on the opportunities for reinforcing a multi-faceted dialogue between the parliaments, governments and sectoral ministries of both countries, as well as further development of economic co-operation, relations between the European Union and Moldova and their future prospects.
On 4 February in Rome, a photography exhibition entitled Images of Europe opened in the exhibition hall of the National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II.
From 5 to 8 February, the Embassy of Latvia in Russia is organising an official visit by a Latvian delegation to the Republic of Bashkortostan. The purpose of the visit is to promote co-operation between Latvia and Bashkortostan in the fields of transport and logistics, wood processing, construction and banking.
On 5 February at 4 p.m., in Room 183 of the Foreign Ministry, Normans Penke, Under-Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, will give a briefing about the work accomplished during the first half-year of Latvia's Presidency in the Council of the Baltic Sea states, and about planned activities for the second half of the term.
On 5 February this year, the WTO General Council approved the terms for Ukraine's accession to the WTO. Following ratification of the deal at the Parliament of Ukraine, the country will become a full WTO member.
On 5 February, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted Regulations On the Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of Belarus on mutual travel of residents, which envisage certain advantages for residents of Latvia who travel to Belarus.
On 5 February, Normans Penke, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Valdis Krastins, Chair of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), and Sandra Martinsone, Latvian delegate to the Committee, during a briefing on the work accomplished during the first half-year of Latvia's Presidency, pointed out that preparing recommendations for reform of the organisation is the Presidency's most vital yet one of the most complicated tasks.
On 6 February, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will attend the opening of a photography exhibition by Paul Goldman and David Rubinger entitled Israel: History in Photographs. The exhibition is dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel, and also marks the 16th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Latvia and Israel.
On 4-5 February, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins was on an official visit to the Republic of Moldova. During the visit, Minister Riekstins met with senior Moldovan officials to discuss topical issues of bilateral co-operation, as well as relations between the European Union and Moldova and their future prospects.
From 7 February to 17 February, the capital of Germany will host the 58th Berlin International Film Festival Berlinale in which Latvian cinematographers also traditionally take part.
On 7 and 8 February the travelling project Balticness organised by the Latvian Presidency of the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS) will visit Oslo, Norway. The project includes an exhibition of photographs, a jazz concert and a debate on the topic of regional cooperation.
On 8 February within the framework of the Baltic states - Germany Cultural Year Essentia Baltica 2008 an exhibition Schone neue Welt (Beautiful New World) will open at the Institute of Foreign Cultural Relations in Berlin (Institut fuer Auslandsbeziehungen, IFA). The exhibition includes the design project for the Latvian Museum of Contemporary Art created by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.
On 8-10 February, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will participate in the BALTTOUR international tourism fair. The Consular Department of the Foreign Ministry will offer visitors information which may be useful when planning for travel abroad, as well information about consular assistance in cases where residents of Latvia find themselves in emergency situations in foreign countries.
On 6 February, students of 13th Secondary School, in response to the invitation by the Foreign Ministry, visited the exhibition The Genesis of a Nation: the New Latvian Movement and Krisjanis Valdemars and saw also the recently renovated Ministry building.
From 5 to 8 February a Latvian delegation is visiting the Republic of Bashkortosan to promote cooperation between Latvia and the Bashkiriya in fields such as transport and logistics, wood and timber processing, construction and banking.
On 6 February in Tbilisi, Georgia, Edgars Skuja, Under-Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs met Nikoloz Vashakidze, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, within the framework of an international conference Georgia's European Way - European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan Implementation in Georgia.
On 6 February Minister of Foreign Affairs Māris Riekstiņš met with members of the recently established Foreign Policy Council to exchange views on current foreign policy events, as well as the future development of international events and the strategic calendar.
On 8-10 February, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will participate in 44th Munich Conference on Security Policy, which will debate topical issues of foreign policy and security policy, including the future perspective for transatlantic relations.
On 6 February, the winner was selected in a competition for the conceptual design of a commemorative marker to Zigfrids Anna Meierovics, first Foreign Minister of Latvia. The commission unanimously selected the concept created by Ivars Drulle as the most suitable design for a commemorative marker.
On 8 February official information was received that Latvia has become a full-fledged donor state. This significant accomplishment of our state was confirmed in the World Bank International Development Association resolution no. 217 of 22 January, which reflects the change in Latvia's status and determines the state's right to vote.
On 11 February, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with Martins Sausins, the newly elected chairman of the board of the World Federation of Free Latvians (WFFL). The agenda of the meeting will focus on the activities of the Latvian diaspora and possible future co-operation.
On 8 February during an official visit to Bashkortostan, Latvian Ambassador Andris Teikmanis met with representatives of the Latvian diaspora in Archangelsk.
With the support of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on 6 February an exhibition of the latest work of the Latvian artist Aija Zarina was opened in Prague at the museum of contemporary art Museum Kampa.
On 8 February an exhibition of the art of the Baltic and Mediterranean regions "Sconfinamenti" was opened at the Castel Sant'Angelo exhibition hall in Rome.
From 8 February to 16 March, a photography exhibition by Kaspars Goba, Latvian journalist and photographer, is on display at the Neue Gesellschaft fur Bildende Kunst (New Visual Art Society) in Berlin.
On 12 February, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins unveiled key objectives of Latvia's foreign policy this year to representatives of NGOs. Mr Riekstins was of the opinion that effective co-operation with NGOs is crucial in promoting the preparation of decisions of national significance.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins presented at the 12 February meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers an informative report On the progress of sector policies during the presidency of Portugal and planned developments during the presidency of Slovenia.
On 12 February the ECRI (the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance) published its latest report on the situation in Latvia between 2003 and September 2007.
Foreign Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Eriks Zunda at the EU-Arab League ministerial meeting, which took place on 11 and 12 February in Malta, informed participants about the significance Latvia ascribes to cross-cultural dialogue. He also invited Arab states to relax their visa regime for new EU member state nationals, in order to stimulate and promote people-to-people contacts.
On 13 February Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will receive Charles William Larson, Jr., the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the U.S. to Latvia. Similarly as part of a series of accreditation visits, Alexander Veshnyakov, the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Latvia, will call on the Foreign Minister on 13 February.
On 13 February Alexander Veshnyakov, the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Latvia, made an introductory visit to Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins in order to discuss current issues in Latvia-Russia bilateral relations and the continuing of constructive co-operation.
On 14 February in Kiev, the official opening of an exhibition entitled A Collection of Drawings and Descriptions of Livonia by Johann Christoph Brotze at the Latvian Academic Library and the presentation of a book entitled Johann Christoph Brotze. Estonica will take place at the Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine.
On 13 February Ilgvars Klava, the Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary of State, met with Gnagno Philibert Fagnidi, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire to Latvia.
In a meeting on 13 February, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Charles William Larson, Jr., the new U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Latvia, discussed the active political dialogue between the two countries and its further intensification, including the reinforcing of Latvia-U.S. parliamentary contacts in the future.
On 15 February Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will participate in the conference Lisbon Treaty – How Will It Impact Us? at the Great Hall (Aula Magna) of the University of Latvia and will address the public on the progress of the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, as well as on its implementation and role in the future.
On 18 February Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will take part in the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting in Brussels, where the key issue under discussion will be the latest developments in the Western Balkans in relation to Kosovo and Serbia.
On 19 February an exhibition of Latvian contemporary photographs Privats (Private) and another of posters Publiskie spoguli (Public Mirrors) will be opened in Moscow at the centre of contemporary art Winzavod. The exhibitions are being organised as part of the season of Latvian culture in Russia and also the Seventh International Photo Month in Moscow: Photobienniale 2008, and will be open until15 March.
On 17 February the Assembly of Kosovo passed a declaration, in which Kosovo was proclaimed an independent and sovereign state.
From 19 to 22 February, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will make working visits to Croatia, Albania, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Meetings with the presidents, foreign ministers, and other senior office-holders of all three states are scheduled for the Foreign Minister.
On 18 February in Brussels Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins took part in a General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting, which focussed on the Western Balkans and in particular Kosovo, after its declaration of independence was adopted on 17 February.
The acting Foreign Minister, Minister of Education and Science Tatjana Koke has conveyed her sincerest condolences on behalf of the Foreign Ministry to the people of Afghanistan.
On 18 February, "Amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers order No. 165 of 21 March 2007 On the Latvia-Russia Inter-governmental Commission" were adopted. The amendments stipulate that Finance Minister Atis Slakteris has been appointed as the new chairman of the Latvian side of the Latvia-Russia Inter-governmental Commission.
On 19 February the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, was on an official visit to Croatia. During the visit Mr Riekstins met with the President of Croatia, Stjepan Mesic, the Chairman of the Croatian Parliament, Luka Bebic, and the Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gordan Jandrokovic.
On 20 February in Moscow, the ongoing bilateral consular consultations between the Republic of Latvia and the Russian Federation will take place. During the consultations, issues of consular co-operation will be discussed.
On 19 February, Ambassador Janis Karklins presented his credentials to President Nicolas Sarkozy of France.
Respecting the declaration adopted by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo on 17 February, the Republic of Latvia recognises the independence of the Republic of Kosovo.
On 20 February the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Normans Penke, met with the U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Charles Larson Jr.
On 21 February, the acting German Charge d'Affaires in Pristina, Karl-Albrecht Wokalek, presented President Fatmir Sejdiu of Kosovo with the original notes of Germany, Latvia, Denmark, and Luxemburg on the recognition of Kosovo's independence.
On 21 February the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, was on a working visit in Albania.
On 22 February Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, at the end of his visit to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia stated that their achievements in transatlantic integration issues is rapidly bringing the former Yugoslav Republic closer to NATO and the EU.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, Maris Riekstins, condemns protester attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, which was set ablaze and where one person was killed, and the violence on the border between Serbia and Kosovo which took place on 21 February. The Minister deems acts of vandalism against diplomatic representations unacceptable.
On 25 February the Latvian non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (South Korea) Peteris Vaivars attended the inauguration ceremony of the newly-elected President of South Korea, Lee Myung-bak.
On 25 February, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Latvia, Konstantin Korkelia, paid an introductory visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 27 February there will be a discussion on Baltic Sea region co-operation in the field of education, in relation to CBSS reforms. The discussion will be attended by representatives of regional co-operation networks, NGO's, higher education institutions and ministries. The aim of the debate is to formulate ideas and suggestions on how higher education could be adapted and improved, in order to make it more competitive and directed to the sustainable development of the region.
On February 26 the Foreign Minister, Maris Riekstins, met with representatives of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Georgia, who have arrived in Latvia for an experience exchange visit at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Latvian CEC.
In a discussion on 27 February at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs it was noted that a high grade, reasoned review about the state of the region's higher education was required, in order to determine its competitiveness on a global level, and also to agree on the criteria for competitiveness in education as well as the means of fulfilling them.
On 27 February the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, met with the Ambassador of India to Latvia, Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, and discussed current issues pertaining to Latvia and India bilateral relations.
On 27 February the second meeting of the working group 'On humanitarian cooperation' of the Latvia – Russia Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) was held in Riga. During the meeting, the process of preparing draft agreements was reviewed, reports of experts on co-operation in recovery of displaced items of cultural and historical value were presented, and further cooperation in these matters was outlined.
At a meeting of State Secretaries on 28 February a draft order was issued: "On the appointment of representatives to the Latvia and Russia joint State Border Demarcation Commission".
At the Melngalvju House on 29 February, at 3 pm, there will be the opening of the photographic exhibition The Arctic – Our Crystal World, which is being organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, in co-operation with the Danish Cultural Institute and the Embassy of Canada in Latvia. Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will give the opening address.
The Foreign Minister, Maris Riekstins, on 28 February met with the Director General of the Employers' Confederation of Latvia, Elina Egle, and the organisation's EU Affairs expert, Inese Stepina, to discuss opportunities for co-operation as part of the current Latvian presidency in the Council of Baltic Sea States.
On 29 February the Ambassador of Latvia to Hungary, Veronika Erte, presented her letters of credence to the President of the Republic of Hungary, László Sólyom, thus becoming the first resident Latvian Ambassador in Hungary.
On 29 February at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a discussion took place about a series of communication events in relation to the Lisbon Treaty, which is one of this year's EU institution joint communication themes. During the discussion, participants reviewed the planned public outreach events which are intended to raise public awareness of the Treaty and the practical issues for its implementation once the Treaty enters into force.
On 29 February an agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Belarus On co-operation in the field of social security was signed in Minsk.
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