Foreign Minister to meet with Latvian diplomat Peteris Podvinskis

On 29 January the Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins is to meet with the Latvian diplomat Peteris Podvinskis, to discuss with him issues related to his sudden transfer and his future in the Latvian diplomatic service.

As Mr Riekstins has indicated, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will ensure that Mr Podvinskis is appointed to a position commensurate with his rank and qualifications.

As reported previously, the expulsion of the Latvian diplomat is seen to be a retributive response to Latvia's decision on 21 January to expel a Russian diplomat. With this latest action from the Russian side, the Foreign Ministry of Latvia now considers the case to be closed and reiterates that the decision by the Russian Federation to expel Peteris Podvinskis bears no relation to his activities as a diplomat.

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