January
Foreign Minister to take part in informal EU general affairs meeting in Prague
From 7 - 8 January, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins will participate in an informal meeting of the EU General Affairs Council to be hosted in Prague by the Czech Republic's presidency of the EU. As part of the meeting, an official ceremony opening the Czech presidency is planned with the participation of Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso. The meeting will be chaired by Czech Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Alexandr Vondra.
U.S. Ambassador to Latvia on farewell visit to Foreign Ministry State Secretary
On 8 January, Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andris Teikmanis received the U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Charles William Larson, Jr. who was making his end-of-tour farewell visit.
Foreign Minister to meet with new Lithuanian Foreign Minister
On 9 January, in response to the invitation expressed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins, the new Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Vygaudas Usackas, will make a working visit to Latvia.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Lithuanian Foreign Minister discuss sea border agreement between both countries
On 9 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Vygaudas Ušackas, who had arrived on a working visit to Riga. During their meeting, the Foreign Ministers reviewed the topicalities of bilateral relations, including the issue of the Latvia-Lithuania sea border agreement, regional co-operation in the context of the Baltic states and the Nordic countries, as well as energy policy.
Foreign Minister: Security of energy resource supply must be an EU priority
From 7 - 8 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins took part in the informal meeting of the EU General Affairs Council (GAC) in Prague, where ministers for foreign and European affairs mostly focused on energy security in the context of the critical situation in several EU member states following the row between Russia and Ukraine. The GAC also discussed transatlantic relations and EU institutional relations.
Foreign Minister of Latvia Maris Riekstins acknowledges signing of U.S. – Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership
Foreign Minister of Latvia Maris Riekstins acknowledges the U.S.-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership signed today in Washington.
Foreign Minister commends Ukraine-Russia-EU agreement on controlled gas transit through Ukraine
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, has commended the active involvement of the Czech EU presidency and the European Commission in the dispute between Ukraine and Russia on ensuring gas supplies.
Foreign Minister extends condolences to people of Indonesia with regard to ferry disaster
On 12 January the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, sent a letter of condolences to Indonesian Foreign Minister Noer Hassan Wirajuda with regard to a ferry disaster caused by a heavy storm near the island of Sulawesi. Approximately 250 people are presumed lost in the storm.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to participate at book opening "Latvia and the U.S.A.: From Captive Nation to Strategic Partner"
On 14 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will speak at the launching event of the book "Latvia and the U.S.A.: From Captive Nation to Strategic Partner" at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Latvia.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to meet with President of Norwegian Parliament
On 14 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with Thorbjørn Jagland, the President of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Norway, who is on a visit to Latvia as the candidate nominated by Norway for the post of Secretary-General of the Council of Europe (CoE).
Foreign Minister to meet with U.S. Ambassador to Latvia on farewell call
On 15 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with U.S. Ambassador to Latvia, Charles William Larson, Jr. This will be the Ambassador's farewell call.
Transfer of Latvian reform experience to Moldova discussed at Latvia-Moldova foreign ministry consultations
On 13 January at political consultations between the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration the parties examined in detail the assistance already provided by Latvia for Moldova's efforts in implementing reforms in relation to European integration. The sides reviewed future steps for the transfer of Latvia's reform experience to Moldova.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins discusses Latvia's foreign policy priorities and Czech EU presidency objectives with EU Ambassadors
On January 14, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins attended a working luncheon held by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Latvia, Dr Tomas Pstross, for diplomatic heads of mission from European Union member states. Participants at the meeting discussed important issues on the European Union agenda, Latvia's foreign policy priorities in 2009, as well as domestic events such as the January 13 protest which took place in Old Rīga.
Foreign Minister and President of Norwegian parliament discuss Council of Europe topicalities
On 14 January Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with Thorbjorn Jagland, the President of the Norwegian parliament, who is visiting Latvia as Norway's nominated candidate for the position of Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins thanks U.S. Ambassador to Latvia for the strengthening of U.S.-Latvia relations
On 15 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the U.S. Ambassador to Latvia, Charles William Larson, Jr. who was on his farewell call.
Latvian foreign minister discusses recent protest actions with Lithuanian foreign minister
In a telephone conversation on the evening of 16 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and his Lithuanian counterpart Vygaudas Usackas discussed the recent protest actions in Riga and Vilnius.
Latvian—Italian foreign ministry political consultations to take place
On 23 January political consultations between the foreign ministries of Latvia and Italy will be held in Riga. Representing Latvia, Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andris Teikmanis will chair the consultations, whereas the head of the Italian delegation will be Alfredo Mantica, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins congratulates new U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Maris Riekstins, sent a letter of congratulation to Hillary Clinton, on the occasion of her taking office as the new U.S. Secretary of State.
Drinking water supply project recommended by Latvia for the Faryab province in Afghanistan receives Japanese government funding
On 20 January, at the Japanese Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, an agreement was officially signed in the presence of Valts Vitums, a political and development advisor from Latvia, on the allocation of funding to an Afghan NGO Co-ordination of Humanitarian Assistance (CHA). The funding was granted for the implementation of a project for the supply of potable water in three districts of Faryab province.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to attend GAERC meeting
On 26 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will take part at the meeting of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) held in Brussels. At the general affairs session, the Czech Republic is to present its presidency priorities, and a discussion is to be held on energy security in relation to the situation regarding Ukraine-Russia gas supplies.
Latvian ambassadors meet pupils of their schools on Diplomats' Day
On 26 January, in honour of Diplomats' Day six Latvian diplomats-ambassadors visited their former schools to meet pupils and to talk about how they became diplomats, as well as to share their experience of working in Latvian diplomatic missions abroad.
At meeting of EU Foreign Ministers Maris Riekstins emphasises the importance of drafting a Baltic energy interconnection plan
On 26 January Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins attended a meeting of the European Union (EU) General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels. During the meeting the presiding state, the Czech Republic, informed of the priorities of the Presidency, the EU Foreign Ministers discussed energy security and discussed current issues pertaining to EU –Ukraine and EU –Russia relations, as well as the situation in the Gaza Strip.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins discusses Serbia's EU prospects
On 26 January, within the parameters of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting in Brussels, a bilateral meeting took place, at the initiative of Serbia, between Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Minister for Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic of Serbia.
Foreign Minister awards certificates of commendation for significant contribution to the strengthening of Latvia
On 27 January, as part of the events honouring the day of Latvia's international recognition de jure, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins awarded certificates of commendation for significant contribution to the strengthening of the Republic of Latvia.
Minister Riekstins and the Director of Carnegie Moscow Centre exchange views on international policy
On 27 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with Dmitry Trenin, the Director of the Carnegie Moscow Centre and researcher of international politics, and discussed EU-Russia and NATO-Russia relations, as well as the dialogue between the U.S. and Russia after the change of administration in Washington.
Minister Riekstins to meet with Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka
On 29 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with Rohitha Bogollagama, the Foreign Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, who is on an official visit to Latvia from 28 to 31 January.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins highlights importance of Latvia's EU membership for the development of Kuldiga
On 28 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins was on a regional visit to Kuldiga, where he met with local government representatives and discussed the activities in the town of Kuldiga for the absorption of European Union funding, as well as regional co-operation with other European cities and partners in the implementation of projects related to the urban environment and tourism.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins in discussion with Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka highlights issue of travel facilitation for Latvian tourists
On 29 January Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Rohitha Bogollagama, who was on an official visit to Latvia.
Latvian diplomats discuss co-operation opportunities with Ambassador of Iraq to Poland and Lithuania
From 27 to 30 January, the Ambassador of Iraq to Poland and Lithuania, Walid Hamid Shiltagh, is on a working visit to Riga. On 28 and 29 January, the Ambassador of Iraq met with the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Teikmanis, with the Under-Secretary of State, Political Director Peteris Ustubs, and also with the Head of the Bilateral Relations Direction, Ambassador Eduards Stiprais.
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