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May

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins expresses deepest condolences to families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins has expressed his deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the soldiers killed in Afghanistan. "In deepest sorrow we are together with their close ones. This is a great loss not only for their close ones but also for all of Latvia. I am convinced that the government as well as the Armed Forces will provide all possible assistance to the families of the deceased and also to those who have been injured."

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins receives messages of condolence from Foreign delegations with regard to deaths of Latvian soldiers in Afghanistan

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins has received messages of condolence with regard to the deaths today in Afghanistan of two Latvian soldiers. These messages to the families of the soldiers killed in action have come from the U.S. State Department, from the foreign ministers of Latvia's closest neighbour states and from the commander of the NATO international operation in Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Canadian Minister for Trade discuss opportunities for the strengthening of economic and political relations

On 5 May, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with Stockwell Burt Day Jr., the Canadian Minister for International Trade and the Asia-Pacific Gateway, who was on a visit to Latvia. This is the first time that a Canadian Minister for Trade has visited Latvia.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins evaluates as positive the support to the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon by the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins has evaluated as positive the support to the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon by the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. At the same time, Minister Riekstins has expressed the hope that President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic will sign the law on the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon, thus recognising its coming into force.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Spanish Foreign Minister Discuss Diplomatic secondment opportunities in preparation for Latvia's presidency of the EU

On 6 May, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation of the Kingdom of Spain, Miguel Angel Moratinos, who is in Latvia as part of the State Visit to Latvia by the King of Spain.

Annual Political Consultations in Washington, D.C. between Foreign Ministry State Secretaries

From 12 – 13 May, Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andris Teikmanis will be in Washington, D.C., to participate in political consultations as a framework for meetings with U.S. administration, NGOs, and research institute representatives.

Latvia deepens relations with Latin American states

From 12 – 13 May, Foreign Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Eriks Zunda will participate in the 14th EU-Rio Group Ministerial Meeting in Prague, the Czech Republic. The agenda for this year's meeting will focus on two themes "The Search for Renewable Energy Sources to Enhance Global Energy Security and Impacts of Climate Change" and "Financial Stability and Economic Growth Worldwide".

Latvia's Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to meet with the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee

On 14 May, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giampaolo di Paola, who will be on a visit to Latvia.

Maris Riekstins and NATO Military Committee Chairman agreed on the importance of the role of the alliance in the strengthening of security in the 21st Century

On 14 May, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giampaolo di Paola, who was on a visit to Latvia. During their meeting, the NATO led international operation in Afghanistan, the NATO Heads of Government and Heads of State Summit in Strasbourg/Kehl in April of this year, and NATO—Russia relations were the major topics for discussion.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Lithuania and from Germany to hold Political Consultations

On 15 May, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will travel to Palanga in Lithuania for a meeting and Political Consultations among Foreign Ministers from the Baltic states and from Germany.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to participate in General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting

On 18 May, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will participate in the European Union General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting in Brussels. At the same time meetings by EU member state defence ministers and development co-operation are also scheduled.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins: The June meeting of the European Council will be the forum for a presentation on the EU Baltic Sea Region strategy which is most important for Latvia

On 18 May, the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting took place in Brussels, and was also attended by Latvia's Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins. Within the framework of the 18 May GAERC meeting, the defence and development co-operation ministers of EU member states also held meetings.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins: The Baltic states and Germany are linked by active bilateral co-operation in a regional and international format

On 15 May, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins participated in the 11th Political Consultations between the Foreign Ministers of the Baltic states and from Germany. The consultations took place in Palanga, Lithuania.

Travellers from Latvia successfully experience opportunity for Visa-free travel to the U.S.

The U.S. Embassy in Riga advises that from 1 January through to 3 May, a total of 3,814 Latvian citizens have received permission through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for visa-free travel to the United States.

European Court of Human Rights court case "Kononov v. Latvia"

On 20 May the European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber appeals court will hold a hearing in the case "Kononov v. Latvia".

Latvia elected to the Commission on Sustainable Development

On 18 May, Latvia was elected to the board of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Commission on Sustainable Development – CSD, effective from 2010 through 2013. The election took place during a management session of the ECOSOC in the United Nations building in New York.

United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit Latvia for the first time on an official visit

On 21 May, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who will be in Latvia on a one-day official visit. The UAE Foreign Minister is visiting Latvia as part of a tour of Regions of Europe.

European Court of Human Rights hearing takes place "Kononov v. Latvia"

On 20 May the European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber appeals court heard the case "Kononov v. Latvia".

Foreign Ministry Secretary of State meets Ambassador of Uruguay

On 25 May, as part of an accreditation visit, the Foreign Ministry Secretary of State, Andris Teikmanis met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uruguay in Latvia, Manuel Gonzalo Vieira Merola, residing in Sweden.

Latvia expresses concern over North Korea's nuclear test

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its concern over the news that on 25 May North Korea conducted yet another nuclear test, as well as test-launched several short-range missiles.

Foreign Minister Riekstins to take part at ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting in Vietnam

From 24 to 26 May, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will take part at the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins notes Latvia-Vietnam co-operation in education and culture

On 26 May, at the conclusion of the ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Hanoi, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with Pham Gia Khiem, Foreign Minister of Vietnam, the host country.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins emphasises significance of European-Asian dialogue for strengthening stability, economic prosperity and security in the world

On 25 May 2009, 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Foreign Ministers' Meeting opened in Hanoi. During the first day of the event the ASEM foreign ministers discussed co-operation opportunities for handling the global financial and economic crisis, as well as exchanged opinions on current regional developments in Europe and Asia.

First bilateral meeting between foreign ministers of Latvia and Indonesia

On 26 May, on the sidelines of the ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Noer Hassan Wirajuda. This was the first bilateral meeting of foreign ministers in the history of diplomatic relations between Latvia and Indonesia.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins invites Thailand to consider possibilities for further alleviation of travel regulations for Latvian tourists

On 25 May, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Kasit Piromya. Their meeting took place within the framework of the ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Andris Teikmanis and State Secretary of Swedish Prime Minister's Office discuss EU future Strategy for Baltic Sea Region

On 27 May, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Teikmanis, met with the State Secretary for the European Union at the Office of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden, Maria Asenius, in order to discuss the issues related to the development of the upcoming EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (Strategy) and the preparations for Sweden's EU Presidency.

Foreign Minister condemns act of terror in Pakistan and conveys condolences to families of victims

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins has conveyed condolences to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood, with regard to the 27 May suicide bombing of a police station in Pakistan's second largest city Lahore that killed several dozen people and left at least 250 injured.

Foreign Minister Riekstins: under global financial and economic crisis it is important to facilitate openness of international markets

On 28 May, during the Foreign Ministers Meeting of the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins took part in the ministers' discussion on global financial crisis, its impact upon the economies of the European and Asian countries as well as national, regional and international scale measures for a rapid stabilisation of the financial situation.



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