Foreign relations of Latvia Information & Foreign relations of Latvia Links at HealthHaven.com

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, including 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 20 September 2003, in a nationwide referendum, the Latvians voted to join the European Union and Latvia's EU membership took effect on 1 May 2004. Latvia became a member state of NATO on March 29 2004. Latvia welcomes further cooperation and integration with NATO, European Union, and other Western organizations. It also seeks more active participation in UN peacekeeping efforts worldwide.

Latvia maintains embassies in Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, the People's Republic of China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uzbekistan.

It also operates missions to the United Nations in New York City and Geneva, the European Council, and non-member representation to the European Union, 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.

Russia expresses concern for how Latvia's language and naturalization laws effect Latvia's Russian-speaking population. Russians comprised 32.3% of the population in 2000. 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.

Disputes - international: Treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has been signed and ratified in 2007, under the treaty the Abrene district passes to Russia; ongoing talks over maritime boundary dispute with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights)

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.

[edit] Relations by country

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Armenia	1992-08-22	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.^[1] Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Armenia
Austria		See Foreign relations of Austria
Azerbaijan		See Foreign relations of Azerbaijan
Belarus		See Foreign relations of Belarus
Bulgaria		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.
Canada	1991-08-26	See Canada–Latvia relations Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on September 3, 1991. Canada has an embassy in Riga. Latvia has an embassy in Ottawa and 2 honorary consulates in Quebec and Toronto. Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and of NATO.
Croatia		See Foreign relations of Croatia
Czech Republic		See Foreign relations of the Czech Republic
Denmark		See Foreign relations of Denmark
Estonia		See Estonia–Latvia relations Both state share a long common history: before 1918, they were both part of the Russian Empire. They were both re-occupied by the USSR between 1945 and 1991. Both countries established diplomatic relations on January 3, 1992. Estonia has an embassy in Riga. Latvia has an embassy in Tallinn. The two states share 343 km of common borders.^{[citation needed]} They enjoy close relations sharing a common history of relations in the USSR and being neighbours.^[2]
Finland		See Foreign relations of Finland
France		See Foreign relations of France
Georgia		See Foreign relations of Georgia
Germany		See Foreign relations of Germany
Greece		See Foreign relations of Greece
Hungary		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 in 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	Iraq recognized the independence of Latvia on 1 January 1992.^[3] In 2005, a project entitled Latvian Government's Assistance to Iraq in the Documentation of Architectural and Archaeological Objects with Photogrammetric Methods was implemented. 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.^[4] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia: Iraq
Ireland		See Foreign relations of the Republic of Ireland
Israel	1992-01-06	See Israel–Latvia relations Israel recognized Latvia’s independence on September 4, 1991. Israel has an embassy in Riga.^[5] Latvia has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 2 honorary consulates (in Ashdod and Eilat).^[6] There are 9,000 Jews living in Latvia (see History of the Jews in Latvia). Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Italy		See Foreign relations of Italy
Kazakhstan	1992-12-30	Kazakhstan recognised Latvia's independence on December 23, 1991. Latvia recognised the independence of Kazakhstan on January 8, 1992. Kazakhstan is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Vilnius (Lithuania) and though an honorary consulate in Riga.^[7] Latvia has an embassy in Astana and an honorary consulate in Almaty. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Kazakhstan
Kosovo		See Kosovan–Latvian relations Latvia recognized it on 20 February 2008.^[8] Latvian and Kosovan governments established diplomatic relations on 10 June 2008.^[9] However, Latvia's involvement in Kosovo date back to 2000 when it first sent peacekeeping troops.
Lithuania	1991-10-05	See also Foreign relations of Lithuania Latvia has an embassy in Vilnius.^[10] Lithuania has an embassy in Riga.^[11] The two states share 588 kilometres (365 mi) of commone border. Both countries are full members of the European Union.
Luxembourg		Luxembourg did not recognise the annexation of the Baltic States by the USSR in 1940-1991 either de iure 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.
Poland	1991-08-30	See Latvia–Poland relations Poland recognised Latvia's independence on January 27, 1921. Latvia has an embassy in Warsaw and 3 honorary consulates (in Katowice, Gdansk and Lodz).^[12] Poland has an embassy in Riga.^[13] There are around 57,000 Poles living in Latvia. Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, of NATO and of the European Union. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Poland
Romania	1922-01-03	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.^[14] Both countries are full members of NATO, the European Union, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Romania
Serbia	2001-01-19	Latvia has a non resident ambassador in Riga (in the Foreign Ministry). Serbia is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Stockholm (Sweden). Latvian Foreign Ministry about relations with Serbia Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Latvia
Slovakia		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.^[15]
Ukraine	1992-02-12	Latvia has an embassy in Kiev and 2 honorary consulates (in Lviv and Odessa).^[16] Ukraine has an embassy in Riga and an honorary consulate in Ventspils.^[17] There are around 92,000 Ethnic Ukrainians living in Latvia.^{[citation needed]} Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Ukraine
United Kingdom	1991-09	Britain had strong links with Latvia before the Soviet occupation and annexation in 1940, which the UK never recognised de jure. The UK recognised the restoration of Latvian independence on August 27, 1991. The United Kingdom has an embassy in Riga.^[18] Latvia has an embassy in London and 3 honorary consulates (in Manchester, Scotland and Wales).^[19] There are between 30,000 and 200,000 Latvian people living in the United Kingdom. Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union. British Foreign and Commonwealth Office about relations with Latvia Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with the United Kingdom
United States	1922-07-28	See Latvia – United States relations 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. The U.S. Embassy in Latvia is located in Riga. [2]