October
Foreign Ministry and ECL to launch discussions between businessmen and ambassadors for export development
On 6 October at 10 a.m., Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, the President of the Employers' Confederation of Latvia (ECL), Vitalijs Gavrilovs, and the Vice President of the ECL, Vasilijs Melniks, will continue their successful long-term co-operation and hold an informative event to launch a series of round-table discussions Foreign Service for Latvia's export. Meetings between businessmen and Latvia's ambassadors.
Agreement on Foreign Affairs Counsellor to Mayor of Riga signed
On 29 September Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andris Teikmanis and Chairman of Riga City Council Nils Usakovs signed Co-operation agreement on Foreign Affairs Counsellor to Mayor of Riga. To this position the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appointed Jurijs Pogrebņaks, former Counsellor of the Russia Division of the Foreign Ministry Bilateral Relations Department.
Foreign Minister to meet with President of European Parliament
On 1 October Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with Jerzy Buzek, the President of the European Parliament, who will make an official visit to Latvia.
Foreign Minister and European Parliament President review EU's role in global developments
On 1 October Minister for Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins met with Jerzy Buzek, the President of the European Parliament (EP), to discuss current events on EU and global agenda.
Foreign Ministry announcement on Geneva talks regarding Iran's nuclear programme
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses hope that today's negotiations, where the permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany meet with Iran, will result in a positive signal for a further solution to the nuclear issue of Iran.
Foreign Ministry expresses incomprehension over misleading statements by British politicians
Today at the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary of State Andris Teikmanis met with Antony Stokes, the Charge d' Affaires of the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Latvia, to indicate that the Republic of Latvia deems unacceptable the misleading statements by British politicians, which have been published in the international press, on a member of the coalition of Latvia's government and the tragic events of World War II.
UK Foreign Secretary: my statements were not directed at Latvia or its government
A telephone conversation took place this morning between Minister for Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins and the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, David Miliband.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins welcomes positive outcome of Irish referendum on Lisbon Treaty
On 2 October in Ireland, a referendum was held on the Treaty of Lisbon which amends the Treaty on the European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community. The outcome demonstrated the support by Irish voters to the Lisbon Treaty and its ratification.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins invites entrepreneurs to express opinions on consolidation under Foreign Ministry of Latvia's external economic institutions
On 6 October, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, while participating at the opening of a series of round table discussions between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Employer's Confederation of Latvia, entitled Foreign Service for Latvia's exports. Entrepreneurs meet Latvian Ambassadors, presented an outline of the forthcoming discussions, as well as informed about the possibilities by the Foreign Service to support entrepreneurs in export promotion.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to meet with NATO Secretary General
On 8 October, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who arrives in Latvia on his first official visit.
Finnish business students visit Foreign Ministry
On 8 October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a group of students from the Finnish HAMK University of Applied Sciences who heard a lecture on Latvia's external economic relations and were taken on a round tour in the ministry building.
Annual meeting of Baltic and Nordic Foreign Ministry Secretaries of State held in Reykjavik
On 6 - 7 October, the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Teikmanis, took part in the annual meeting of Nordic and Baltic (Nordic-Baltic-8 or NB-8) Foreign Ministry Secretaries of State in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Foreign Minister Riekstins and NATO Secretary General share opinion on collective security as principal mission also under NATO's new Strategic Concept
On 8 October, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen who had arrived in Latvia on his first official visit in the status of NATO SG.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to meet with Foreign Minister of Netherlands, Maxime Verhagen
On 12 October, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Maxime Jacques Marcel Verhagen, who arrives in Latvia on a working visit.
Foreign Ministry invites to conference "The Latvian Language in the European Union – working towards a common terminology"
On 16 October, the Latvian State Language Centre in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, the European Commission Representation in Latvia and the Terminology Commission of the Academy of Sciences of Latvia are organising the second conference devoted to topical issues of the EU terminology - "The Latvian Language in the European Union – working towards a common terminology".
From October 23 to October 24 in the Mazā Ģilde (the Small Guild) the Riga Conference 2009 entitled "Economic Recovery in a Changing Security Environment: Transatlantic Agenda 2010" will take place (press release from LATO)
From October 23 to October 24 in the Mazā Ģilde (the Small Guild) the Riga Conference 2009 entitled "Economic Recovery in a Changing Security Environment: Transatlantic Agenda 2010" will take place.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Republic of South Africa on a working visit in Latvia
On 12 October, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa Susan van der Merwe concluded her working visit in Riga. This was the highest level visit by a South African official to Latvia in recent years.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Netherlands Foreign Minister focus on economic issues
On 12 October, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Maxime Jacques Marcel Verhagen, who had arrived in Latvia on a working visit.
Foreign Ministry to host reception for World Association of Free Latvians (PBLA)
On 14 October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host a reception dedicated to the annual Board meeting of the World Association of Free Latvians (PBLA).
Foreign Minister Riekstins: It is important to ensure value added of Lisbon Treaty for each European citizen
On 12-12 October, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins took part in the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Baltic and Benelux countries in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins notes contribution by World Association of Free Latvians to raising profile of Latvia
On 14 October, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins in his welcoming address to the representatives of the World Association of Free Latvians (PBLA) during an event dedicated to the association's annual Board meeting highlighted the PBLA members' contribution to representing Latvia, its culture and traditions in their countries of residence.
Latvia elected to UNESCO Executive Council
On 14 October, Latvia was elected to the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation's Executive Council for the period from 2009 to 2011. The election took place as part of the 35th Session of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris. It was 18 years ago, on 14 October 1991 that Latvia became UNESCO member state.
Visit to Sigulda and Cesis by resident ambassadors accredited in Latvia
On 16 October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in associations with Sigulda Municipality Council and Cesis Municipality Council organises a visit to Sigulda and Cesis for resident ambassadors accredited in Latvia and their spouses.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins presents Certificate of Appreciation to Honorary Consul General of Latvia in Istanbul
On 16 October, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins presented the Foreign Ministry Certificate of Appreciation to Honorary Consul General of Latvia in Istanbul, Ahmet Arbatlı, for his significant contribution to the representation of Latvia's interests and for the facilitation of economic and cultural co-operation between Latvia and Turkey.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform about problems for Latvian job seekers abroad
On 21 October at 11.00 a.m., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by a press conference on the issues of employment in foreign countries, will launch a series of events "Find out before you agree to a job abroad!"
The Rīga Conference 2009 will bring together Presidents and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of three Baltic States
This week, from October 23 to October 24 in the Mazā Ģilde (the Small Guild) the Riga Conference 2009 entitled "Economic Recovery in a Changing Security Environment: Transatlantic Agenda 2010" will take place. For
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins: Support by Afghan President to second round of election is a responsible step
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins welcomes as a responsible step the decision by the current President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, to support the second round of presidential elections scheduled for 7 November.
Head of Economic and Bilateral Relations Directorate, Ambassador Maija Manika attends European Development Days
On 21-22 October, Head of Economic and Bilateral Relations Directorate, Ambassador Maija Manika attends the European Development Days organised by the Swedish EU Presidency and the European Commission.
Foreign Ministry launches series of events "Find out before you agree to a job abroad!"
On 21 October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by a press conference on the issues of employment in foreign countries, launched a series of events "Find out before you agree to a job abroad!"
Foreign Ministry Secretary of State and Ambassador of India agree on promotion of economic co-operation
On 22 October, the Foreign Ministry Secretary of State Andris Teikmanis met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Latvia, Balkrishna Shetty who was on a working visit in Latvia.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins: Governments of Northern European countries should co-operate closer
On October 24, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, taking part at a panel discussion "Providing Strategic Reassurance in Northern Europe" during the Riga Conference 2009, accentuated the threats on which the region has to focus, including financial crisis, energy security, terrorism and cyberprotection.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins urges European Union to take stronger action in issue of Moldova
On 26-27 October, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins took part at the meeting of the European Union General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Luxemburg that focused on the preparation of the European Council meeting of 28-29 October, the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and in the Middle East, as well as on the issues of Moldova, Iran and Sri Lanka.
Foreign Ministers of Latvia and Belarus discuss bilateral co-operation and EU-Belarus relations
On 3 November, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will be on a working visit to the Republic of Belarus.
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