Foreign relations of Latvia
The 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.
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Latvia |
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Foreign relations |
Council of Europe, CERCO, International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, International Civil Aviation Organization, International Atomic Energy Agency, UNESCO, UNICEF, International Criminal Court, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. It also is a member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and of the North Atlantic Coordinating Council.
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]
Through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Latvia maintains embassies in Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, the People's Republic of China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uzbekistan.
It also operates missions to the United Nations in New York City and Geneva, to the European Union, the Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation Organization, the OSCE, NATO, World Trade Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Latvia has a Consulate General in Russia; Consulates in Belarus and Russia; Honorary Consulates General in Australia, Cyprus, India, Israel, and Norway; and Honorary Consulates in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, and Venezuela.
Relations by country
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Afghanistan | 1928-02-16, 2005-01-18[3] | |
Albania | 1928-02-16, 1992-04-22 |
|
Antigua and Barbuda | March 19, 1993 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 19, 1993.[7] |
Armenia | 1992-08-22 | See Armenia–Latvia relations
|
Australia | 1991-08-27[10] | See Foreign relations of Australia |
Austria | 1921-02-17, 1991-08-28 | See Foreign relations of Austria |
Azerbaijan | 1994-01-11[11] | See Azerbaijan–Latvia relations |
Belarus | 1992-04-07[12] | See Foreign relations of Belarus |
Belize | 2005-02-03 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 3, 2005.[13] |
Botswana | 2003-03-17 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 17, 2003.[7] |
Bulgaria | 1922-05-24, 1991-09-10[14] | See Bulgaria–Latvia relations
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. |
Burundi | 1993-05-24 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 24, 1993.[15] |
Canada | 1921-01-26, 1991-08-26[16] | See Canada–Latvia relations |
Cape Verde | 1992-10-21 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 21, 1992.[17] |
Central African Republic | 2012-05-30 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 30, 2012.[17] |
China |
| |
Colombia | 1922-07-08, 1995-07-19[19] | |
Comoros | 2010-02-24 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 24, 2010.[7] |
Croatia | See Foreign relations of Croatia | |
Cyprus | See Cyprus–Latvia relations | |
Czech Republic | See Foreign relations of the Czech Republic | |
Denmark | See Denmark–Latvia relations
| |
Djibouti | 2012 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 30, 2012.[7] |
East Timor | September 27, 2013 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 27, 2013.[17] |
Estonia | 1919-07-21, 1991-09-06[25] | See Estonia–Latvia relations
|
Finland | See Finland–Latvia relations | |
France | 1921-01-26, 1991-08-30 | See France–Latvia relations
|
Gambia | 1998-03-12 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 12, 1998.[15] |
Georgia | See Georgia–Latvia relations | |
Germany | See Germany–Latvia relations
| |
Greece | See Greece-Latvia relations | |
Guyana | 2005 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 16, 2005.[27] |
Hungary | 1921-07-20, 1991-09-02 | See Foreign relations of Hungary |
Iceland | See Iceland–Latvia relations
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 | 2004-10-15 |
|
Ireland | See Foreign relations of the Republic of Ireland | |
Israel | 1992-01-06 | See Israel–Latvia relations
|
Italy | See Foreign relations of Italy | |
Kazakhstan | 1992-12-30 | See Kazakhstan–Latvia relations
|
Kosovo | See Kosovo–Latvia relations
Latvia recognized it on February 20, 2008.[35] Latvian and Kosovan governments established diplomatic relations on June 10, 2008.[36] However, Latvia's involvement in Kosovo date back to 2000 when it first sent peacekeeping troops. | |
Kyrgyzstan | 1993-03-18 |
|
Lesotho | 2014-02-10 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 10, 2014.[15] |
Lithuania | 1991-10-05 | See Latvia–Lithuania relations
|
Luxembourg |
| |
Malawi | 1998 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 10, 1998.[15] |
Malaysia |
Latvia doesn't have any embassy in Malaysia.[39] while Malaysian embassy in Helsinki is accredited to Latvia.[40][41] | |
Mauritania | September 19, 1991 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 18, 1991.[17] |
Mexico | November 27, 1991 | See Latvia–Mexico relations
|
Moldova |
| |
Montenegro | See Latvia–Montenegro relations | |
Netherlands | See Latvia–Netherlands relations
| |
Norway | See Latvia–Norway relations | |
Poland | 1991-08-30 | See Latvia–Poland relations
|
Romania | 1922-01-03 |
|
Russia | 1920-10-04 and again 1991-10-04 | See Latvia–Russia relations
|
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 2006 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on August 25, 2006.[15] |
Samoa | 2012 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 28, 2012.[17][50] |
Sao Tome and Principe | 1994 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 26, 1994.[17] |
Serbia | 2001-01-19 | |
Sierra Leone | 2014 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on December 12, 2014.[53][17] |
Slovakia |
| |
Solomon Islands | 2012-06-28 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 28, 2012.[15] |
South Korea | 1991-10-22[55] | See Latvia – South Korea relations[56]
The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Latvijas Republika began on 1991-10-22.
|
Spain | See Latvia–Spain relations | |
Suriname | 2009 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 20, 2009.[7] |
Sweden | See Latvia–Sweden relations | |
Taiwan | 1923 | See Foreign relations of Taiwan
|
Tajikistan | 1994-05-11 |
|
Togo | 2014 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 23, 2014.[17] |
Turkey | See Latvia–Turkey relations | |
Uganda | 2013-10-01 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 1, 2013.[7] |
Ukraine | 1992-02-12 | See Latvia–Ukraine relations |
United Kingdom | 1991-09 |
|
United States | 1922-07-28 | See Latvia – United States relations
|
Vietnam | See Latvia–Vietnam relations | |
Zimbabwe | 2015-01-23 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on January 23, 2015.[7] |
Problems
Lithuania
- Ongoing talks over maritime boundary dispute with Lithuania, primary concern is oil exploration rights; however, matters between two countries remain fairly peaceful.
Russia
- Treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has been signed and ratified in 2007, under the treaty the Abrene district passes to Russia
Illicit drugs
Transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; limited production of illicit amphetamines, ephedrine, and ecstasy for export.
See also
References
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