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Relations between Latvia and the Czech Republic are friendly, active and wide-ranging. Partnership in the European Union and NATO forms new aspects in the relations between the two countries, preserving at the same time the intensity and significance characteristic of the bilateral relations. Bilateral contacts between the Republic of Latvia and the Czech Republic have been established in different sectors. The most active practical co-operation has been established in the field of culture, education and home affairs. Significant is also co-operation between the countries in the field of defence. Development of trade and economic relations is also considered a priority due to their great potential. History of Diplomatic Relations
Czechoslovakia recognised the Republic of Latvia on 5 January 1922. This date also marks the commencement of diplomatic relations between the two countries. From 1931 to the beginning of 1939, there was a Latvian embassy in Prague (prior to this, from 1922 to 1927 - a consulate, and from 1928 to 1930 - a consulate-general), which discontinued its operation after the annexation of Czechoslovakia. On 9 September 1991, the Federal Republic of Czechoslovakia renewed diplomatic relations with the Republic of Latvia. On 1 January 1993, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic were created after the Czechoslovak Republic split in two. This date also marks the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Latvia and the Czech Republic. Key areas of bilateral co-operation Defence sector The Czech Republic is one of Latvia's greatest partners in Central Europe in the field of defence, and the bilateral co-operation in this field has grown rapidly in recent years. The main co-operation areas include military and political consultations on different issues related to the integration into NATO, and co-operation in the field of military education and training. The bilateral co-operation is based on the agreement on mutual co-operation concluded between the Ministries of Defence of the Republic of Latvia and the Czech Republic in 1993. The Ministries of Defence of Latvia and the Czech Republic have also signed a number of other inter-ministerial agreements. The military attaché of the Republic of Latvia has been accredited in the Czech Republic (with residence in Prague), and the Czech Republic has also its own military attaché in Latvia (with residence in Riga). The bilateral co-operation between Latvia and the Czech Republic is regulated by the bilateral co-operation plans drawn annually on the basis of mutual proposals. Before Latvia's accession to NATO, the Czech Republic consulted Latvia about the MAP and shared the experience of integration into NATO. Latvia and the Czech Republic have had a successful co-operation in the field of military education. The co-operation between the National Defence Academy of the Republic of Latvia and the University of Defence of the Czech Republic includes a regular exchange of experience, academic personnel and teaching materials. Latvian cadets and officers have had the opportunity to study at the University of Defence of the Czech Republic. In 2005, there were five students from Latvia at the Czech University of Defence. Good contacts have been established in the field of military medicine. Representatives from Latvia were given the opportunity to study medicine and to participate in different courses organized by the Military Medical Academy. Co-operation has also been established in the field of defence against weapons of mass destruction. Home affairs Co-operation between the Latvian Ministry of the Interior and the respective institutions in the Czech Republic is based on the agreement signed between the governments of Latvia and the Czech Republic in 2000 on co-operation in combating terrorism, illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and organised crime. Co-operation with the corresponding Czech institutions has been established both bilaterally, within international organizations and foundations, and also through participation in conferences and exchange of information. In April 2004, representatives of the Latvian State Police assisted in ensuring safety during the World Hockey Championships in Prague. As part of the international foundation Rescue, the Central Criminal Police Department of the Latvian State Police co-operates with the Czech Republic in supporting the victims of crime, protecting their rights and participating in policemen training programmes. In August 2004 under the project "Victims Support Centre – a Partner in Implementing the State Social Policy", an exchange visit to the Victims Support Centre in Prague took place. State Border Control is co-operating with the Czech Border Control and immigration services within the framework of the International Border Police Conference. Justice Co-operation in legal matters includes legal assistance, business contacts in information exchange sector, conferences and seminars, and also cooperation in a number of international organizations and institutions. The State Language Centre is co-operating with the Czech Republic under the international science project The Atlas of the European Languages. Health sector Co-operation between the state healthcare institutions of both countries takes place mostly under separate programmes and projects. For example, the Clinical University Hospital named after Pauls Stradins co-operates with the Czech Republic as part of the Cochlear Implantation Programme; the Riga Stradins University has established contacts with the University of Prague under the project Cost Action b23 "Facial growth and development"; the State Centre of Medical Genetics is co-operating with the Czech genetic services. In 2003 and 2004, the employees of Akniste Psychoneurological Hospital underwent training in Prague. Traffic sector Regular flights are organized between Latvia and the Czech Republic. The Czech airline company CZECH AIRLINES offers regular flights to Riga, whereas the Latvian airline company AIRBALTIC provides regular flights to Prague. In March 2005, CZECH AIRLINES opened new regular flights on the route Riga-Rome-Riga. Agriculture In 1999, the Ministries of Agriculture of Latvia and the Czech Republic concluded a co-operation agreement, under which the co-operation with the Czech Republic in introducing the bio-fuel has been initiated. To this end, a number of seminars for the Latvian bio-fuel experts have been held under the guidance of the Czech bio-fuel production experts. The Czech Republic is Latvia's partner in the fish trade sector. Canned fish export accounts for most of the trade. Canned sprats constitute the main part of exports. In recent years the volume of canned fish export has increased: to compare with 2001, in 2003 the amount of canned fish export increased by 13%, amounting to 2454 tonnes, which accounts for 3.3% of Latvia's total canned fish export, whereas in the first three quarters of 2004, the percentage of the total canned fish export in the Czech Republic increased by 3.7%, i.e. 1,592 tonnes. Latvian and Czech agricultural experts share their experience and work on joint science projects and problems. The key areas of co-operation are assessment of the resistance of the potato selection material against diseases and pests; participation in the project on establishing the ecological agriculture information system in the new EU member states; exchange of the fruit tree propagation material; and testing the sorts of fruit trees. The Latvian and Czech Universities of Agriculture have signed a bilateral agreement on the exchange of students and academic personnel under the SOCRATES/ERASMUS programme for 2005-2007. Municipal co-operation The municipalities of Riga and Prague have established an active co-operation. In spring of 2001, the Days of Riga took place in Prague offering a vast cultural programme, whereas in 2003, the days of Prague were held in Riga (for more information see section on co-operation in culture sector). The delegations of both states have made a number of exchange visits to promote economic and cultural contacts and to encourage the exchange of experience of dealing with infrastructural issues. Co-operation has also started between other Latvian and Czech municipalities. Education and science In 2001, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic signed the agreement on co-operation 2002-2005, which provides for an intensive exchange of Latvian and Czech students. During the autumn session of the study year 2004/2005, seven students from the Charles University of Prague studied at the Faculty of Philology of the University of Latvia, whereas one lecturer from the Charles University of Prague and two lecturers from the University of Usti nad Labem named after J.E.Purkyne did the research work. One student from the Czech Republic participated in the International Baltic Summer School, which took place at the Vidzeme University College. For this study year the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic has allocated eleven one-month scholarships for students from Latvia and two scholarships for participation in the summer school to study the Czech language at the Charles University of Prague. As part of the European Community education programme SOCRATES/ERASMUS, a number of Latvia's state and private higher educational establishments have signed bilateral co-operation agreements with the Czech educational establishments, which provide for the exchange of students, lecturers and scientists. As part of these agreements, joint seminars and scientific conferences are organized and joint projects are carried out. Culture In 1999, the governments of the Republic of Latvia and the Czech Republic signed an agreement on co-operation in the field of culture. The cultural co-operation between the two countries is very broad and varied. The recent co-operation in separate areas of culture and art: Theatre
Cinema
Architecture
Sculpture
Music
Art
In April 2003, a number of cultural events were held as part of the Days of Prague in Riga:
In November and December 2003, the Month of Czech Culture was held in Riga. As part of the programme, a number of exhibitions and a concert took place:
Trade Exchange and economic cooperation in 2007
In 2007 the goods exchange continued well since the beginning of the year. During January-March volumes representing almost 30% of the overall 2006 results were achieved:
Latvian exports January – March 2007:
Latvian imports January - March 2007:
Other activities during January-March 2007: During the 1st trimester the Embassy tried to check interest on both Latvian and Czech sides with the aim making the Latvian products more known and attractive for the Czech buyers. In this regard the Embassy established a lot of useful contacts with Czech official institutions, as well as professional associations and individual companies, having in mind the main target for this year: organizing a specialized seminar for selected Czech companies and/or professional associations presenting selected Latvian commodities and conditions Latvia offers to foreign investors. The seminar is scheduled for September/October, the assistance of Latvian speakers to be agreed with Latvian partner organizations (LIAA, professional associations). In order to enhance the interest of Latvian producers or exporters, the Embassy is ready to address Latvian professional associations with a letter inviting them to take part in some specialized fairs and exhibitions in the CR. The same offer will be addressed to the regional institutions, including tourism. The support of Latvian partners and institutions in this regard is vital. For this purpose the Embassy exploited also the Ambassador's visits to the individual Czech regions. In March the Ambassador visited the city of Brno and the Liberec region, with interesting follow ups, the similar visit to Pilsen region will follow. Pursuing the same target, i.e. to facilitate easy contact for Latvian companies and individuals, the Embassy also followed the initiative of the Czech side to establish the Czech House in Riga, as a regional multiple-use centre for the Baltic region. On 5.4. the Czech parliament approved the project and passed it on to the Czech Foreign Affaires Ministry for further. Prague, April 11, 2007 Source: Czech Statistical Office and Czech economic media. Bilateral trade exchange 2006 The key trends in the bilateral trade exchange given in our last reports during 2006 remained unchanged, i.e. stagnation or slow decrease of Latvian exports, constant growth of Latvian imports, dominated the goods exchange during the whole 2006. Following tables with 2006 figures taken from the Czech statistics are completing the results of the whole 2006 comparing them with 2005 figures: Trade exchange Latvia-CR in January-December 2006: (In mil.USD, from Czech Statistical office, published on 16.3.2007) 2006 (1-12) 2005 (1-12) Turnover: 236,2 159,7 L. exports: 25,3 18,9 L. imports: 210,9 140,8
The turnover surpassed, for the first time, the amount of USD 200 million.
Comparison of 2006/2005 is as follows: turnover +48%, L. exports +34%, L. imports +50%. Trade balance (negative) – 185,6 mil. CZK, representing 78,6% of the overall turnover, export - import ratio: 11 : 89. Comparison with the Czech goods exchange with Lithuania and Estonia in 2006 (in 000 USD) : Latvia Lithuania Estonia Turnover 236 194 413 660 179 753 Exports 25 304 100 100 33 718 Imports 210 890 316 560 146 035 Latvian exports in January-December 2006:
Latvian imports in January-December 2006:
Main commodities Latvian exports: manufactured goods classified by material – 53,5%, foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco and live animals – 19,9%, miscellaneous manufactured goods – 8,5%, machinery and transport equipment – 7,9%, chemicals and related materials – 6,2%. Total: 96,0%
Latvian imports: machinery and transport equipment – 39,2%, manufactured goods classified by material – 27,0%, miscellaneous manufactured goods – 13,6%, chemicals and related products – 12,2%, foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco and live animals – 7,4%. Total: 99,4%
Source: Czech Statistical Office and Czech economic media. Most significant visits
Agreements concluded
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