Foreign relations of Latvia

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.

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, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uzbekistan.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riga

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.

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.

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.

Relations by country

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Albania	1928-02-16, 1992-04-22	Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1928 and were restored in 1992. Albania is represented in Latvia by its embassy in Warsaw, Poland. Latvia is represented in Albania by its embassy in Rome, Italy and an honorary consulate in Tirana. Both countries have a number of bilateral agreements.
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. 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
Belize	2005-02-03	Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 3, 2005.
Bulgaria	1922-05-24, 1991-09-10	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	1921-01-26, 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.
China, Republic of	1923	See Foreign relations of Taiwan Both countries had relations from 1923 'to 1991. The Republic of China never recognized the de jure incorporation of Latvia into the. Soviet Union.
Colombia	1995	Colombia counts with an honorary consulate in Riga. Latvia counts with an honorary consulate in Bogotá and is represented by the German embassy in Colombia for consular services only. Colombia recognized Latvia as an independent country after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Croatia		See Foreign relations of Croatia
Czech Republic		See Foreign relations of the Czech Republic
Denmark		See Denmark-Latvia relations
Estonia		See Estonia–Latvia relations Both states 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.
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
Guyana	2005	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 March 2005.
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 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	Iraq recognized the independence of Latvia on 1 January 1992. 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. 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. Latvia has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 2 honorary consulates (in Ashdod and Eilat). 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. Latvia has an embassy in Astana and an honorary consulate in Almaty. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Kazakhstan
North Korea		See Foreign relations of North Korea
Kosovo		See Kosovan–Latvian relations Latvia recognized it on 20 February 2008. Latvian and Kosovan governments established diplomatic relations on 10 June 2008. 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. Lithuania has an embassy in Riga. The two states share 588 kilometres (365 mi) of common 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.
Malaysia		See Latvia–Malaysia relations Latvia doesn't have any embassy in Malaysia. while Malaysian embassy in Helsinki is accredited to Latvia.
Pakistan
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, Gdańsk and Łódź). Poland has an embassy in Riga. 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. 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
Russia	1920-10-04 and again 1991-10-04	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. 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. See Latvia–Russia relations.
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.
South Korea	1991-10-22	See Latvia–South Korea relations South Korea–Latvia relations Latvian–South Korean relations South Korean–Latvian relations The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Republic of Latvia (Latvia) began on 1991-10-22. Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Lee Kyung-soo visited to the Republic of Latvia on December 2 and attended a plaque-hanging ceremony of the Republic of Korea Embassy in Riga Republic of Latvia which is the Republic of Korea's first permanent mission in the Baltic region and a reception to celebrate the opening of the Embassy. Bilateral Trade in 2014 Exports 111,000,000 US dollars Imports 55,000,000 US dollars Bilateral Investments in 2014 The ROK's Investment in Latvia 7,680,000 Latvia's Investment in the ROK None The number of the South Koreans living in Latvia in 2012 was 41. Foreign relations of South Korea#Europe Foreign relations of South Korea Foreign relations of the Republic of Korea.
Ukraine	1992-02-12	Latvia has an embassy in Kiev and 2 honorary consulates (in Lviv and Odessa). Ukraine has an embassy in Riga and an honorary consulate in Ventspils. There are around 92,000 Ethnic Ukrainians living in Latvia. 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. Latvia has an embassy in London and 3 honorary consulates (in Manchester, Scotland and Wales). There were 26,000 Latvian people registered as living in the United Kingdom in 2010. 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. [8]

See also

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Latvia)
• List of diplomatic missions in Latvia
• List of diplomatic missions of Latvia
• Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Latvia in Lviv