On 31 March, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a seminar - press conference for companies in tourism and insurance sectors, and for the media, to inform them about the new requirements in receiving Schengen visas when the new Community Code on Visas is applied.
On 31 March in New York, the Ambassador of Latvia to UN, Normans Penke, took part in the International Donors' Conference Towards a New Future for Haiti organised by the UN and aimed at pledging international support to Haiti's long-term recovery after the devastating earthquake in January this year.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins welcomes the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) released by the U.S. administration on 6 April. This report on the U.S. nuclear policy is a vital step in promoting international peace and security.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins welcomes the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) released by the U.S. administration on 6 April. This report on the U.S. nuclear policy is a vital step in promoting international peace and security.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins voices concern over the development of situation during the past two days in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan where political protests have turned into violence that has resulted in injuries and loss of lives.
On 9 April, on the initiative of the Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, the Baltic states foreign ministers meeting is held in Riga. Arriving to participate are the Foreign Minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet, and the Foreign Minister of Lithuania, Audronius Ažubalis.
Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Latvia have sent condolence letters to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Donald Tusk and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski in connection with the tragic plane crash on April 10 in Smolensk, Russian Federation.
On 12 April in the morning, Foreign Minister made a visit to the Embassy of Poland in Riga and signed the book of condolence, thus expressing deepest sympathies to the people of Poland, to the family and relatives of President Lech Kaczynski, as well as to the relatives of members of the official delegation, and colleagues at the Foreign Ministry of Poland.
On 14 April, Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš will meet with Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Strategic Affairs of Israel, Moshe Ya'alon, who arrives in Latvia on a working visit.
On 13 April, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstiņš met with the new Ambassador of France to Latvia, Chantal Poiret, who arrived in Latvia last week to take up office, replacing former Ambassador Pascal Fieschi.
On 14 April in Hotel Bergs, Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andris Teikmanis will take part in a discussion "Ukraine's geopolitical course following the presidential election: internal and external aspects" which brings together Latvian, Ukrainian and other foreign analysts, academics and political technologists for a review of the political situation in Ukraine in the wake of the presidential election, as well as the country's foreign policy course.
On 16 April, the European Union Law Association, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice holds a research conference dedicated to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (the Treaty of Lisbon).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends travelers to follow information on the websites of airlines and airports, by telephoning or via e-mail. Regarding the options for rebooking or cancelling an airline ticket it is advised to contact the airline or the travel agent from which the ticket has been purchased.
The working session of the NATO member country foreign ministers will focus on the contents and the process of drafting NATO's new Strategic Concept. The ministers are to review the work accomplished to date by the Group of Experts and the timeframe for the concept development before the meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government in Lisbon on autumn this year.
On 22-23 April in Tallinn, Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš takes part in the Meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers. During the first session, foreign ministers discussed NATO's new Strategic Concept and reforms required for the Alliance.
On 22 April in Tallinn, Estonia, during the second working session of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting, the Alliance's foreign ministers, including Foreign Minister Maris Riekstiņš, agreed to extend invitation to Bosnia and Herzegovina to join NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP).
On 23 April in Tallinn, during the second working day of the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the focus of the ministers' debate were on the relations between NATO and Russia.
On 26 April, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstiņš takes part in the meeting of the European Union's General Affairs Council and the External Relations Council in Luxemburg. As part of the External Relations Council, there was also a meeting of the EU member states ministers of foreign affairs and of defence.
On 26 April, Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš took part at the meeting of the European Union's General Affairs Council in Luxemburg.
On 28 April, Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš met with journalists from regional newspapers who took part in a Foreign Ministry seminar on latest foreign policy developments. During the meeting, Minister Riekstiņš outlined the agenda of the European Union and NATO, informed about the current Baltic-Nordic co-operation, relations with Russia, as well as daily work of the Foreign Ministry in the field of consular assistance, and its dialogue with the business community.
On 29 April, the Saeima (Parliament) of the Republic of Latvia, by an overwhelming majority of votes, approved a diplomat of long standing, former Ambassador of Latvia to the United States of America and NATO, Aivis Ronis, as foreign minister.
On 30 April, the newly elected Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis will receive on an accreditation visit the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Republic of Latvia, Andrew Soper.
