Foreign relations of Latvia are the primary responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Today's Republic of Latvia regards itself as a continuation of the 1918–1940 republic. After the declaration on the restoration of its full independence on August 21, 1991, Latvia became a member of the United Nations on September 17, 1991, and is a signatory to a number of UN organizations and other international agreements. Latvia welcomes further cooperation and integration with NATO, European Union, OECD and other Western organizations. It also seeks more active participation in UN peacekeeping efforts worldwide.
On September 20, 2003, in a nationwide referendum, the Latvians voted to join the European Union and Latvia's EU membership took effect on May 1, 2004.[1] Latvia became a member state of NATO on March 29, 2004.[2]
On April 11, 2024, Latvia signed a 10-year security agreement with Ukraine.[3]
Armenia is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Warsaw (Poland).
Latvia is represented in Armenia through a non-resident ambassador based in Riga (at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and through an honorary consulate in Yerevan.[11]
Bulgaria is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Warsaw (Poland) and through an honorary consulate in Riga. Latvia is represented in Bulgaria through its embassy in Warsaw (Poland) and through an honorary consulate in Sofia. Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union.
Iceland was the first country to recognise the independence of Latvia in August 1991. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on August 22, 1991. Iceland is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Helsinki (Finland). Latvia is represented in Iceland through its embassy in Oslo (Norway) and an honorary consulate in Reykjavik. Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, of NATO, and of the Council of Europe.
Iraq recognized the independence of Latvia on January 1, 1992.[26]
In 2005, a project entitled Latvian Government's Assistance to Iraq in the Documentation of Architectural and Archaeological Objects with Photogrammetric Methods was implemented.la
Latvia's participation in the Iraq War commenced in May 2003. At their peak the number of Latvian soldiers in Iraq was 126. They were withdrawn on November 8, 2008.[27]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia: Iraq[28]
Latvia recognized it on February 20, 2008.[33] Latvian and Kosovan governments established diplomatic relations on June 10, 2008.[34] However, Latvia's involvement in Kosovo date back to 2000 when it first sent peacekeeping troops.
Luxembourg did not recognise the annexation of the Baltic States by the USSR in 1940–1991 either de jure or de facto.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were restored on April 21, 1992.
Latvia is represented in Luxembourg through its embassy in Brussel (Belgium) and through an honorary consulate in Luxembourg City. Luxembourg is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Warsaw (Poland) and through an honorary consulate in Riga.
Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union.
Between June 2, 1922 – October 18, 1939, the diplomatic representation of Latvia in Romania was handled by the Latvian legation in Prague, in then neighbouring Czechoslovakia. In 1924, Latvia opened 3 honorary consulates in Romania (in Bucharest, Constanţa and Galaţi). In May 1929, Romania opened its legation in Riga.
On October 18, 1939, Latvia opened its legation in Bucharest.
Romania recognized Latvia on August 26, 1991.
Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on September 13, 1991.
Latvia is represented in Romania through its embassy in Warsaw (Poland).
Romania is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Vilnius (Lithuania) and an honorary consulate in Riga.[46]
Until 1917, Latvia had been part of the Russian empire. Following the Latvian declaration of independence, war broke out between Latvia and the Russian SFSR.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were first established in 1920, following the conclusion of a Soviet-Latvian peace treaty on August 11, 1920.[48] The treaty was ratified by the Latvian Constituent Assembly on September 2, and by the Latvian government on September 25. On the Russian side, it was ratified by the Pan Russian Central Executive Committee on September 9. Ratification letters were exchanged between the two governments in Moscow on October 4, the date on which in entered into effect. These relations lasted until the Soviet take over of Latvia in 1940.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian government recognized the independence of Latvia on August 24, 1991.
Russia expresses concern for how Latvia's language and naturalization laws effect Latvia's Russian-speaking population. Russians comprised 27.6% of the population in 2010. In turn, Latvia is interested in the welfare of ethnic Latvians still residing in Russia. The latest Russian census shows about 40,000 still living in Russia, but sources indicate that given the probability of an undercount, Latvians in Russia probably number about 50,000–60,000.
Both countries established direct diplomatic relations on January 1, 1993. Latvia is represented in Slovakia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria). Slovakia has an embassy in Riga. Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union. Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins and his Slovak counterpart Eduard Kukan met in Riga in 2000.[51]
The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Latvijas Republika began on 1991-10-22.
The two countries have good relations.
Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Lee Kyung-soo visited to the Latvia in December 2018 and attended a plaque-hanging ceremony of the Republic of Korea embassy in Riga which is the Republic of Korea's first permanent mission in the Baltic region and a reception to celebrate the opening of the embassy.[54]
Latvian embassy[55] and an Honorary Consuls in Seoul.[56]
The U.S. Legation in Riga was officially established on November 13, 1922 and served as the headquarters for U.S. representation in the Baltics during the interwar era. The Soviet invasion forced the closure of the legation on September 5, 1940, but Latvian representation in the United States has continued uninterrupted for 85 years.
^"Latvian, Slovak foreign ministers praise ties, discuss EU, NATO integration". BNS. November 6, 2000. Retrieved June 11, 2009. Relations between Latvia and Slovakia are good and have a potential for development, Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins and his Slovak counterpart Eduard Kukan agreed in the talks in Riga today. Latvia and Slovakia have common foreign policy aims which facilitate bilateral relations and discussions. Berzins and Kukan agreed that both countries were interested in development of a political dialogue, cooperation between foreign and defence ministries, as well as...
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