Today, on 2 May, the Ambassador hosted a reception on the Northern Future Forum in the Embassy of Latvia, as the next meeting of the forum will take place in Latvia. Among the participants of the reception were the Minister for Europe David Lidington, British ambassadors to the Baltic and Nordic countries and Nordic and Baltic ambassadors in London.
On 25 April the Embassy of Latvia hosts a concert by prominent Latvian pianist Reinis Zariņš. The repertoire includes composition of Bach, Chopin and Stravinsky.
Today, on 2 April, Ambassador of Latvia to the UK, Eduards Stiprais, visited Latvian stand at the Natural and Organic Products Europe Trade Show in Olympia, London.
A ‘Welcome to Dare’ photographic exhibition has opened at the University of Ulster, Belfast Campus, introducing work from Latvian architects. This exhibition previously formed part of London’s Festival of Architecture 2010: ‘A Welcoming City’. The ‘Welcome to Dare’ exhibition at the University of Ulster celebrates the burgeoning relationship between the University of Ulster’s School of Architecture & Design and the Faculty of Architecture & Planning at the Riga Technical University.
On 25 March, the team of the Embassy of Latvia placed third in the go-kart race of the London diplomatic corps. After an 80 minute race against ten other teams and despite technical problems, the Latvian trio reached the third step of the winners podium. Trinidad and Tobago won the first place, Lithuania was second and the Embassy of Germany – fourth.
Nine Latvian popular lingerie brands are represented in in the UK largest fashion trade exhibition: Gracija-RIM, Magija Lingerie, Nikol Djumon, Novella, Orhideja, Regina N, Roksa, Rosme, and Vaide. All of these companies are based and producing in Latvia. This is the second consecutive time Latvia is represented in Moda exhibition that takes place from 19-21 February at the NEC Birmingham.
Today, on 12 January event of launching Mottra Caviar Club takes place in the Embassy of Latvia. The Club is organised by MOTTRA Ltd and Mark Hix, a restaurant owner, celebrity chef and food writer and is supported by Laurent-Perrier. The aim of the Club is to promote awareness about the ethical, sustainable and guilt free caviar produced without harm to the fish.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia expresses concern over the recent escalation in Iran – the attack on the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Teheran on 29 November, when protesters broke in and vandalised the embassy building, as well as the bill by the Parliament of Iran on reducing diplomatic relations with the U.K. that in fact means the expulsion of the British Ambassador.
On 11 November, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs welcomed an introductory visit from the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Latvia Andrew Soper. The parties discussed political and economic relations between the countries, an exchange of visits, as well as the current matters in the EU and international politics. Both sides noted that the relations between Latvia and the United Kingdom have traditionally been close and successful.
From 3 to 6 November in the United Kingdom, the annual regional training will be held for Latvia’s consular officers working outside the region of the Schengen Agreement member states. The aim of the training is to discuss how to unify the procedures of issuing visas according to the Schengen Acquis provisions at all Latvia’s diplomatic and consular missions thus making the required contribution to securing the external border of the European Union.
On 1-2 November, the Secretary of State of the Foreign Ministry Andris Teikmanis will participate in the London Conference on Cyberspace dedicated to virtual environment and cyber security. In appreciation of the broad opportunities offered by the virtual environment and its development, internet experts and cyber security practitioners from more than 60 governments and the private-sector will exchange opinions on the possibilities for utilizing the internet’s full potential, while ensuring its accessibility and a safe use.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs with great satisfaction that, after major efforts, 16 children from Latvia and two accompanying adults have finally returned home, after having missed their flight from Stunsted Airport, London, to Riga on 23 August. Six of the children and one adult returned on 24 August, but the rest of the group, early on 25 August.
On 19 August, Foreign Minister Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis received congratulations from the Parliamentary of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Henry Bellingham, on the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Latvia’s independence.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs encourages the Latvian nationals residing abroad and the Latvian nationals who will be outside Latvia on 23 July for any reasons to actively use the polling stations abroad and voice their will in the Referendum.
On January 19-20, 2011, the Latvian delegation under the guidance of Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis will visit London in order to participate in the summit on the challenges facing the modern Northern European economies. The summit is organized by the government of the United Kingdom in order to promote the exchange of new ideas among the United Kingdom, the Nordic countries and the Baltic states with a view to discuss and to share experience in creative solutions and innovations which promote the economic growth and competitiveness in context of social prosperity and equality.
On January 18-21, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis will pay a visit to Great Britain to take part in the UK Nordic-Baltic Summit devoted to challenges facing Northern European economies. The Head of the Government will also visit two prestigious universities to meet the faculty and students, as well as to inform the audience through a discussion format about the economic situation in Latvia, the challenges and objectives of overcoming the economic crisis.
On 24 November, the amendments of The Document Legalization Law entered into force, and from now on, Latvia will be able to abolish unilaterally the demand for the legalization of public documents issued in the countries of the European Union, the European Economic Zone, and the Swiss Confederation, and submitted to Latvian authorities.
In connection with NATO Parliamentary Assembly spring session in Riga, border control will be temporarily reintroduced to persons entering Latvia from the 24th May up to the 1st of June. In principle, it is dealt with the situation similar to the one before joining the Schengen Convention in 2007. It is important to carry along one's travel document that is required now as well.
Since the restoration of independence in 1991 Latvia has clearly and repeatedly stated that neither fascism nor any other totalitarian ideology is acceptable and that Latvia condemns the glorification of such ideologies.
On 27 October, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins was on an official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. During his visit, Minister Riekstins met with his counterpart David Miliband, with representatives of the British-Latvian All-Party Parliamentary Group, and with the UK experts in EU affairs, security policy and also energy and climate change.
