Informal meeting of Baltic state foreign ministers to take place
An informal meeting of the three Baltic state Ministers of Foreign Affairs will take place in Latvia on 2 September at the initiative of Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins.
September
At extraordinary European Council meeting, Member states resolve to postpone negotiation on new EU-Russia Partnership Agreement
On 1 September an extraordinary meeting of the European Council was held in Brussels. Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis headed the delegation from Latvia, which included also Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins. This session was devoted to the crisis in Georgia and to the relations of the European Union with Russia.
Baltic state Foreign Ministers welcome joint position of EU Member States on situation in Georgia adopted by European Council
On 2 September at Jurmala, on the initiative of Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, an informal meeting of the three Baltic state foreign ministers took place, with participation of the Foreign Minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet, and the Foreign Minister of Lithuania, Pietras Vaitekunas.
Joint press conference of Baltic state foreign ministers to be held
An informal meeting of the three Baltic state ministers of foreign affairs will take place in Latvia on 2 September at the initiative of Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to take part in President's visit to Croatia
On 3-4 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will participate, as a member of the official delegation, in the state visit to the Republic of Croatia by President Valdis Zatlers. As part of the visit, meetings have been envisaged with senior officials of Croatia: President Stjepan Mesic, Speaker of the Parliament Luka Bebic, and Prime Minister Ivo Sander.
Foreign Ministry invites participation in development co-operation grant project competition
On 3 September, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the grant project competition Support for Development Co-operation Projects in the Recipient Countries as Defined by the Republic of Latvia. Non-governmental organisations (associations and foundations) are invited to submit their project applications before 4:00 pm on 30 September.
Foreign Ministry representative takes up appointment at Office of EU Special Representative for South Caucasus
On 3 September, Foreign Ministry representative Raimonds Vingris took up his post at the Office of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus. Mr Vingris will fulfil the functions of a Political Advisor.
Minister Riekstins and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland will discuss regional and economic co-operation
On 8 September Minister for Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins will meet with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, who will be making a working visit to Latvia from 7 – 9 September.
Foreign Minister to take part in informal EU foreign minister meeting in Avignon
On 5 and 6 September Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will participate in an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, (Gymnich), in Avignon, France.
Latvia and Uzbekistan discuss co-operation in the area of education during political consultations
On 4 September political consultations of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and of Uzbekistan took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. During these consultations the bilateral co-operation between Latvia and Uzbekistan, relations between the EU and Uzbekistan, issues of regional co-operation and security, as well as the forthcoming visit of the President of Latvia to countries of Central Asia in October were discussed.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins to meet with the new Ambassadors of Denmark and of Finland
On 8 September the Ambassadors of Denmark and of Finland will call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, as part of their accreditation visits.
EU foreign ministers voice support for French presidency efforts to stabilise crisis in Georgia
On 5 to 6 September Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins attended an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers (the Gymnich meeting) in Avignon, France. During the meeting, the ministers discussed, in an informal atmosphere, the crisis in Georgia, EU relations with Russia, transatlantic contacts following the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, a revision of the European Security Strategy, and the Middle East peace process.
Latvia – Russia agreement on the status of burial sites comes into force
Latvian and Russian institutions have completed all necessary legal procedures so that the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Russian Federation, signed on 18 December 2007 in Riga, on the status of Latvia's burial sites in the territory of the Russian Federation and the status of Russia's burial sites in the territory of the Republic of Latvia (hereafter the Agreement) may enter into force. The Agreement came into force on 22 August.
Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Normans Penke will open exhibition "90 Years in Latvian Publishing"
On 9 September at 3 pm, in the entrance hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Normans Penke will open an exhibition "90 Years in Latvian Publishing (1918-2008)". The exhibition is dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Latvian state.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Foreign Minister of Iceland highlight co-operation between both countries within regional and international organisations
On 8 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Foreign Minister of Iceland, Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir, who had arrived on a working visit to Latvia.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to take part in annual meeting of Baltic and Nordic Foreign Ministers in Parnu
On 9-10 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, will participate in the annual meeting of Baltic and Nordic Foreign Ministers (Nordic-Baltic-8 or NB-8) in Parnu, Estonia. As part of the meeting, it is planned to review topical issues such as the relations between Georgia, the European Union and Russia, the situation in Afghanistan and Ukraine, as well as the Middle East peace process.
Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Normans Penke opens exhibition "90 Years in Latvian Publishing"
On 9 September, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Normans Penke opened the exhibition "90 Years in Latvian Publishing (1918-2008)".
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins with Danish Ambassador and Finnish Ambassador highlight promotion of co-operation between Baltic and Nordic countries
On 8 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with Uffe Otto Wolffhechel, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Denmark and with Maria Serenius, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Finland as part of their accreditation visits.
Main topic of discussion for Baltic and Nordic Foreign Ministers: international community involvement in settling the Georgia – Russia conflict
On 9 – 10 September Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins attended the annual meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Baltic and Nordic states (NB8) in Parnu, Estonia.
Minister of Foreign Affairs highlights opportunities for professional development open to employees of the foreign service
On 11 September Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins held a press conference to brief the public about the work of the Foreign Ministry, the diplomatic service and its development.
Consultations to take place between Foreign Ministry Secretaries of State of Latvia and Denmark
On 12 September in Copenhagen, Normans Penke, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will attend consultations with his Danish counterpart Ulrik Federspiel.
Foreign Minister to meet with NATO Secretary-General
On 12 September in Riga, the Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, together with his Lithuanian and Estonian counterparts, will meet with NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.
Children and young people from Georgia coming to Latvia for a course of rehabilitation
On 13 September, thirty children and young people will be arriving to Latvia for a two week course of social rehabilitation. They are victims of hostilities in Georgia, who for a longer period have been away from their permanent place of residence with the status of refugee.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to attend meeting of General Affairs and External Relations Council
On 15 September Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will attend the meeting of General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels.
Baltic Foreign Ministers and NATO Secretary-General discuss NATO operations and current security policy issues
On 12 September, as part of the visit by NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to Latvia, a meeting took place with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Maris Riekstins, the Foreign Minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet, and the Foreign Minister of Lithuania, Petras Vaitekunas.
Staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spruce up memorial to the first Latvian Foreign Minister Zigfrids Anna Meierovics
On 13 September staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and their families went to the Seme pagasts in the district of Tukums to spruce up the unique memorial to the first Latvian Foreign Minister Zigfrids Anna Meierovics, at the place where, on 22 August 1925, Minister Meierovics was tragically killed in a car accident. The bronze bas-relief and monument in the Seme pagasts, unveiled in 1926, commemorate the tragic event.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins extends condolences to people of Russia with regard to tragic plane crash
The Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, has sent a letter of condolence to the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, in relation to a tragic plane crash that took place near the city of Perm in the night of 14 September.
Member states adopt a decision at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council to send EU observer mission to Georgia
On 15 September a meeting of the European Union General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) took place in Brussels. The Latvian delegation was headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins.
Take part in the competition "Publication of the Year on Development Co-operation"
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and the Platform for Development Co-operation of Latvia (LAPAS) is launching a competition "Publication of the Year on Development Co-operation".
Cabinet of Ministers backs Foreign Minister's initiative to send civilian experts on EU observer mission to Georgia
The Cabinet of Ministers on 16 September backed an initiative by Maris Riekstins, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, to send Latvian civilian experts for participation in an EU observer mission to Georgia, which is expected to be launched on 1 October.
Latvia to appeal against judgment of European Court of Human Rights in case of Adamsons v. Latvia
On 16 September, at the sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers, it was decided to appeal against the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Adamsons v. Latvia.
Foreign Ministry Parliamentary Secretary discusses co-operation opportunities with Vice Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of National People's Congress, People's Republic of China
On 18 September, Eriks Zunda, Foreign Ministry Parliamentary Secretary, met with Ma Wenpu, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins takes part in EU-Central Asia Ministerial Forum on security issues
On 18 September in Paris, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins is taking part in the ministerial forum of the EU and the five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. The foreign minister meeting on security issues is the first discussion in this particular format, and is being organised on the initiative of the French EU Presidency.
Latvia is the first to complete negotiations to join the USA visa free programme
On 18 September, the Latvian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in the United States of America, Andrejs Pildegovics, and U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Homeland Security Department, Stewart Baker, and a representative of the Department of Justice, Kenneth P. Mortensen, initialed the text of the agreement between the Governments of the Republic of Latvia and the United States of America "On Enhancing Co-operation in the Prevention and Fighting of Serious Crime" in its final version.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins notes the importance in energy of co-operation between the European Union and countries of Central Asia
On 18 September Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins attended the first forum of European Union and Central Asian Foreign Ministers on security issues, which took place in Paris at the initiative of France, the presiding EU state.
Latvian Ambassador to Egypt accredited to the Arab League
Maris Selga, the Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the Arab Republic of Egypt, is the first Ambassador of Latvia to be accredited to the League of Arab States (LAS), an internationally significant and active regional organisation.
Laying of foundation stone to take place for court building funded by Latvia in Afghanistan
Tomorrow, 20 September, in the town of Shirin Tagab, Faryab Province, an official ceremony will be held to lay the foundation stone for a court building, a construction project funded by Latvia and the European Commission. Rudolfs Bremanis, the political and development advisor of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Afghanistan, representatives from the Supreme Court of the Afghanistan, as well as district and province officials will attend the ceremony.
Foreign Minister takes part in 63rd session of UN General Assembly
From 22 to 26 September Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins is taking part at the sixty-third session of the UN General Assembly in New York. As each year, the General Assembly session was started off by a general debate, with participation of the heads of state and heads of government, and foreign ministers.
Foreign Minister condemns terrorist attack in Islamabad
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins has forwarded a letter of condolence to Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the Pakistani Foreign Minister, with regard to a terrorist attack that took place in Islamabad, Pakistan, on 20 September.
Third Congress of Latvian-Lithuanian Forum held in Rezekne
On 20-21 September, the Third Forum of the Latvian - Lithuanian Forum took place in Rezekne. As part of the Forum, a book by Zenonas Butkus "The Idea and Practice of the Baltic States Unity from 1918 to 1940" and a collection of Latvian and Lithuanian poetry compiled by Dace Markus and Daiga Joma were presented.
Foundation stone laid for court building in Afghanistan co-funded by Latvia and European Commission
On 20 September, in the town of Shirin Tagab, Faryab Province, during the official ceremony for the launching of construction works, Rudolfs Bremanis, the political and development advisor of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Afghanistan, and Abdulah Shafaq, the Governor of the province, laid cornerstones for a court building which is being funded by Latvia and the European Commission.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins emphasises the need to foster stability in the Middle East region during talks with the Foreign Minister of Iran
During the UN General Assembly in New York on 24 September, at the initiative of the Iranian side Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins met with the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Manoucher Mottaki. Opportunities for holding Latvia – Iran political consultations, Iranian regional co-operation, nuclear issues and observation of human rights in Iran were discussed during the meeting.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Foreign Minister of Jordan discuss co-operation opportunities between both countries
On 23 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with Foreign Minister of Jordan, Salehaddin Al-Bashir within the framework of the UN General Assembly session in New York. During the bilateral meeting the ministers discussed Latvia-Jordan relations and the prospect for their further development.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins and the Foreign Minister of Ukraine discuss opportunities to enhance co-operation of Ukraine with EU and NATO
On 23 September Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins met with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Volodymyr Ogryzko, to discuss the development of European Union–Ukraine and NATO-Ukraine relations, as well as current events of international politics and bilateral relations. The meeting took place during the General Assembly of the UN in New York.
Foreign Minister acknowledges Latvia's readiness to engage in co-operation projects with PNA
On 23 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Riyad al-Malki, to review bilateral co-operation between Latvia and the PNA and also the progress of the Middle East Peace Process. The meeting took place during the UN General Assembly in New York.
Foreign Minister's participation in UN General Assembly concluded
This week, as part of the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins participated in multilateral meetings with foreign ministers of other UN, EU, Council of Europe (CoE) member states and transatlantic partners, and also in bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Ukraine, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), the Arab Republic of Egypt, the UAE, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins indicates to Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt Latvia's interest to strengthen co-operation
On 25 September during the UN General Assembly, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins met with the Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abul Gheit. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss current events of the bilateral relations between Latvia and Egypt and the coming visit of the Latvian Foreign Minister to Egypt at the beginning of November.
Representatives from Latvia to take part in observation of parliamentary elections in Belarus
On 28 September, parliamentary elections will take place in Belarus. Among the observers there will be a total of 15 representatives from Latvia. The Latvian observers will take part in the observation of the parliamentary elections in Belarus both as part of the international election observation mission and also as national observers.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins and Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates discuss prospects for co-operation
On 25 September, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, met with the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Abudullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to discuss the bilateral relations of Latvia and the United Arab Emirates and opportunities to extend co-operation. The meeting took place during the UN General Assembly in New York, USA.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to meet with new Ambassador of Belgium to Latvia
On September 30, the new Ambassador of Belgium to Latvia, Leopold Merckx, will call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, as part of his accreditation visit.
Foreign Ministry State Secretary and European Ombudsman review possibilities to promote good governance in Latvia and Europe
On 29 September, Foreign Ministry State Secretary Normans Penke met with European Ombudsman P. Nikiforos Diamandouros in order to discuss the significance of the institution of ombudsman in society and to gain an insight into the responsibilities and powers of the European Ombudsman.
Representative from Latvia to take part at informal meeting of EU Development Ministers
On 29-30 September in France, an informal meeting of Development Ministers, organised by the EU French Presidency, is taking place. Latvia will be represented at the meeting by Evija Dumpe, Director of the Development Co-operation Policy Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Annual meeting of Baltic and Nordic foreign ministry state secretaries to be held in Tallinn
The annual meeting of the state secretaries of Baltic and Nordic foreign ministries (Nordic-Baltic-8 or NB-8) will take place in Tallinn, Estonia on 1 to 2 October. Latvia will be represented by Under-Secretary of State Ilze Juhansone.
Māris Riekstiņš to take part in Baltic and Benelux foreign minister meeting in Estonia
On 1-2 October Minister for Foreign Affairs Māris Riekstiņš will participate in a meeting of foreign ministers of the Baltic and Benelux states ("3+3") in Estonia. This will be the second "3+3" encounter at the level of foreign ministers aimed at continuing co-operation between Baltic and Benelux states at regional and EU level.
Foreign Minister and Belgian Ambassador highlight necessity for raising public awareness on topical EU issues
On September 30, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, met with the new Ambassador of Belgium to Latvia, Leopold Merckx, who had called as part of his accreditation visit. During the meeting, the issues discussed were bilateral co-operation between Latvia and Belgium, the progress of the EU Presidency, as well as current events in international politics.
Press contacts:
Press and Information Division
3, Krisjana Valdemara iela, Riga
Phone: (371) 6 7016 272
Fax: (371) 6 7222 335
E-mail: media@mfa.gov.lv
Website: www.mfa.gov.lv
Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/latvianmfa
Twitter: http://twitter.com/arlietas
