Five Ambassadors to meet Foreign Minister Riekstins at farewell luncheon

On 2 July, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with the Ambassadors of five countries whose term of office in Latvia is about to expire in the near future.

Latvia's Honorary Consuls in Riga to discuss opportunities for advancement of bilateral co-operation

On 3-4 July, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is holding a meeting for Latvia's Honorary Consuls with the aim of informing them about the opportunities to contribute to the promotion of exports and attraction of foreign investment, about topical consular issues as well as about the events commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Republic of Latvia.

Conference The Latvian Language in the European Union – Multilingualism in Practice takes place

On 3 June, a conference "The Latvian Language in the European Union – Multilingualism in Practice" devoted to topical issues of translation of EU legislation and terminology will be held in Riga.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins invites Honorary Consuls to propose new initiatives

On 3 July, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, at the opening of the fourth meeting of Latvia's Honorary Consuls, expressed his gratitude to the Honorary Consuls for their contribution to the advancement of bilateral relations and the strengthening of economic contacts.

Foreign Minister to take part in remembrance event dedicated to Jewish genocide victims

On 4 July, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will take part in the annual remembrance ceremony dedicated to the victims of genocide against the Jewish nation. On this date, Latvia commemorates the beginning of the Holocaust in Nazi-occupied Latvia during the World War II.

Maris Riekstins congratulates U.S. Secretary of State on U.S. Independence Day

On 4 July, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins sent a congratulatory letter to Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. Secretary of State, in honour of the 232nd anniversary of the independence of the U.S.

Foreign Minister opens Latvian embassy in Hungary and goes on working visit to Kosovo next week

On 7 July, as part of his working visit to Hungary, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will participate in the opening of the Embassy of Latvia in Hungary. The Embassy has been established in accordance with the Foreign Ministry programme to expand its network of diplomatic and consular representations.

Latvian Ambassador presents credentials in Brazil

On 7 July the accreditation took place of the first non-resident Latvian Ambassador to Brazil, Artis Bertulis. Mr Bertulis now officially begins to fulfil duties as Ambassador, promoting political, trade, culture and education links between the two countries. At the same time Mr Bertulis will continue to serve as Latvia's Ambassador in Lisbon, Portugal.

Latvian and Russian Intergovernmental Commission meeting agreed upon; border crossing issues discussed

On 7 July 2008, a meeting was held between the Co-chairmen of the Latvia–Russia Intergovernmental Commission, Latvian Minister of Finance Atis Slakteris, and the Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin.

Meeting of Co-Chairmen of Latvia Russia Inter-governmental Commission in Moscow

On 7 July a meeting is to take place in Moscow between the Co-Chairman of the Latvia-Russia Inter-governmental Commission (hereinafter – Commission), Latvian Minister of Finance Atis Slakteris, and the Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin.

Foreign Ministry political and development adviser presents Foreign Minister's invitation to Afghan Governor

On 8 July, the Latvian Foreign Ministry political and development adviser in Afghanistan Rudolfs Bremanis met with the Governor of the province of Faryab Abdul Haq Shafaq in the city of Maimana and presented him with an official invitation from the Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to visit Latvia this year.

Foreign Minister condemns terrorist attack in Kabul

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins condemns the terrorist attack that took place on 7 July near the Indian Embassy in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Riekstins attests Latvia's readiness to assist with the establishment of a Foreign Ministry in Kosovo

During his working visit in Pristina, Kosovo on 8 and 9 July, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with top-level Kosovan officials and heads of international missions, and visited Latvian soldiers serving in NATO-led peacekeeping forces in Kosovo.

Latvian Ambassador awarded Great Cross of Merit by Germany

In a farewell meeting on 9 July, the Latvian Ambassador to Germany Martins Virsis called on the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Horst Kohler, who thanked the Ambassador for the advancement of Latvia-Germany bilateral relations and the consolidation of cultural links with Germany, drawing particular attention to the Ambassador's contribution in the organising of Essentia Baltica 2008, the Baltic state and Germany year of culture.

Latvian and Georgian Foreign Ministers to discuss current situation in Georgia

On 11 July Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with Georgian Foreign Minister Ekaterine Tkeshelashvili, who will be in Latvia on an official visit.

UNESCO Director-General's visit to Latvia cancelled

On the evening of 10 July, the office of UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura informed the Latvian Embassy in France that Mr Matsuura's visit was cancelled due to illness.

Latvian soldiers in Afghanistan to watch Latvian news programme "Panorama"

As of 8 July soldiers on the mission to Afghanistan, in the province of Faryab at the Maiman Provincial Reconstruction Team base, are able to watch a transmission of the Latvian television news programme "Panorama" each evening at 10 pm.

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities to attend Dziesmu un deju svetki

On 12 July Knut Vollebaek, the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), will attend the closing concert of the 24th Latvian Song and 14th Dance Celebration (XXIV Visparejie latviesu Dziesmu un XIV Deju svetki) at the invitation of Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, to be introduced to Latvian cultural values and heritage.

Latvian Foreign Minister reiterates support for territorial integrity and unity of Georgia

Meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ekaterine Tkeshelashvili, on 11 July 2008, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins expressed support for Georgia's proposals directed at achieving stability in Georgia's conflict zones – Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Foreign Minister to participate in "Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean" founding summit in Paris

On 13 to 14 July, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, at the invitation of Bernard Kouchner, the French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, will visit Paris in order to take part in the first "Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean" summit, as well as attending the Bastille Day celebrations and a working dinner hosted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy

Latvia expresses support for closer Moldovan ties with European Union

From 9 July until 11 July in Chisinau, Moldova, political consultations were held between the Foreign Ministry of Latvia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova.

Latvian Foreign Minister expresses condolence for the tragic loss of the former Polish Foreign Minister

The Latvian foreign minister has sent a message of condolence to his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski, expressing his deepest sympathy for the loss of former Polish foreign minister and member of the European Parliament, politician and historian Bronislaw Geremek.

Cabinet of Ministers endorses national report on UN Elimination of Racial Discrimination Convention

On 14 July the Cabinet of Ministers endorsed a national report on Latvia's adherence to the UN International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination of 21 December 1965 (hereinafter – Convention). The report covers the period from 2003 to 2007.

Dutch Ambassador in farewell meeting with Foreign Minister

On July 15 the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Robert Shuddeboom, will pay a farewell visit to Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins.

Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism approved by Cabinet of Ministers

On 14 July the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism was endorsed in the Cabinet of Ministers for further ratification in the Saeima.

Foreign Minister to meet with Azerbaijani Minister of Economic Development

On 16 July, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with Heydar Babayev, the Azerbaijani Minister of Economic Development, who is visiting Latvia as the Co-chairman of the Latvia-Azerbaijan Inter-governmental Commission on Economic, Technical, and Cultural Co-operation Matters and as the head of the Azerbaijani delegation.

Foreign Minister on working visit to Rezekne

On 17 July Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will make a working visit to Rezekne, with the aim of reviewing with the city administration and businesspeople the interests of the region and opportunities for facilitating international co-operation.

Latvia to support rule of law project in Afghanistan

On 16 July 2008 in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, Latvia's Special Representative in Afghanistan and political and development advisor to the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rudolfs Bremanis signed, with authorisation from the Foreign Ministry, an agreement with the Agency for Technical Co-operation and Development (ACTED) on procedures for the allocation of financing and execution of works in relation to the next Latvian assistance project in Afghanistan, in the province of Faryab, on the construction and furnishing of three court buildings, and training for judges and employees.

Foreign Minister and Heads of EU representations discuss current foreign policy issues

On 16 July, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins participated in the working lunch hosted by the Ambassador of France in Latvia, Pascal Fieschi, for the heads of missions of the European Union member states.

Foreign Minister Riekstins and Azerbaijani Minister of Economic Development acknowledge potential for further economic co-operation

On 16 July, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with Azerbaijani Minister of Economic Development Heydar Babayev, who is on a visit to Latvia in his capacity as Co-Chairman of the Latvia-Azerbaijan Inter-governmental Commission for Economic, Technical and Cultural Matters, and also head of the Azerbaijan delegation.

Joint EU position and EC mandate for WTO ministerial conference to be reached at GAERC meetings

On 18 July in Brussels and on 21 July in Geneva, Foreign Ministry State Secretary Normans Penke will take part in extraordinary sessions of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) on the negotiation round of the Doha Development Agenda of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The GAERC meetings in Geneva on the negotiations of the Doha Development Agenda will continue until 25 July.

Canadian Ambassador in farewell visit to Foreign Minister Riekstins

On 18 July, the Ambassador of Canada to the Baltic States, Claire Poulin, is to call on the Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins in a farewell visit.

Foreign Minister and Rezekne City Council representatives discuss prospects for regional co-operation with neighbouring countries

On 17 July, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, was on a working visit to the City of Rezekne so as to meet with local government representatives and to discuss prospects for regional co-operation with the neighbouring countries, and in particular in the border regions and towns.

EU member states prepare for WTO Doha Development Round negotiations

On 18 July, an extraordinary meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) took place in Brussels. Participating in the meeting was Foreign Ministry Secretary of State Normans Penke.

Foreign Ministry Secretary of State to participate in GAERC meeting

On 22 July, Normans Penke, the Foreign Ministry Secretary of State, will participate in the meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) at Brussels.

Minister Riekstins pleased with Riga Council decision to rename boulevard in memory of Latvia's first Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins expresses his satisfaction at the decision of 21 July by Riga City Councillors to renew the historic name of the present Basteja bulvaris as Zigfrida Annas Meierovica bulvaris.

At EU GAERC meeting, Member States prepare for EU-Ukraine Summit and discuss situation in Western Balkans

On 22 July in Brussels, Belgium, a meeting of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) took place, with the participation of Normans Penke, the Foreign Ministry Secretary of State.

Political consultations to be held between Latvian Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation of the Kingdom of Morocco

On 24 July in Riga, the second political consultations will take place between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation of the Kingdom of Morocco. On the part of Latvia, the consultations will be chaired by Normans Penke, the Foreign Ministry Secretary of State. The Moroccan delegation will be headed by Latifa Akharbach, the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation.

European Court of Human Rights delivers judgment in Kononov v. Latvia case

On 24 July the European Court of Human Rights delivered a judgment in the case Kononov v. Latvia.

Facts in the case "Kononovs v. Latvia"

Foreign Minister: Latvia should refer Kononov v. Latvia case to Grand Chamber of European Court of Human Rights

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has examined the judgment delivered by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on 24 July in the case of Kononov v. Latvia, and will propose that the Government should decide on referring the case to the Grand Chamber of the ECHR.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins expresses condolences to Turkish people with regard to bombings in Istanbul

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins has conveyed his sincerest condolences to the Turkish people with regard to the bombings on 27 July in the Turkish city Istanbul which, according to current reports, killed17 people, including 4 children, and injured over 150 others.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins condemns acts of terror in India

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins has sent a letter of condolence to the Foreign Minister of India, Pranab Mukherjee, in relation to the acts of terror in Bangalore and Ahmedabad on 25 and 26 July.

Report On the progress of sector policies during the Presidency of Slovenia and planned development during the Presidency of France approved by Cabinet of Ministers

On 29 July at the sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers a report On the progress of sector policies during the Presidency of Slovenia and planned development during the Presidency of France" was approved. The Foreign Ministry, working with sector ministries, prepares this kind of informative report twice a year whenever the presiding country of the EU Council changes.

Foreign minister expresses condolences to Ukrainian people for losses caused by flooding

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins has sent a letter to his colleague, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Volodymyr Ogryzko, in relation to the extensive flooding which has affected the western regions of Ukraine.

Foreign Ministry Secretary of State meets Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of Lithuanian Seimas

On 31 July, Normans Penke, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Justinas Karosas, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Lithuanian Seimas who is in Latvia on a two day visit.

Foreign Ministry Secretary of State meets Ambassador of Finland to Latvia

On 1 August 2008, Normans Penke, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with Pekka Wuoristo, Ambassador of Finland, who had called on a farewell visit.