Relations between Latvia and Russia
Latvia seeks to develop relations with the Russian Federation in accordance with the principles of international law and in line with one of its key foreign policy priorities - the maintenance of good relations with neighbouring countries. Latvia sees its relations with the Russian Federation as taking the form of a constructive dialogue in the context of both bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Bilaterally, cooperation with the Russian Federation is being pursued through:
- political dialogue (meetings of state officials);
- direct contacts between ministries and other state institutions;
- regional and cross-border cooperation.
The legal framework of relations between the two countries is based on about thirty intergovernmental agreements. A number of new agreements have been drafted. Signing of these agreements would boost the current bilateral cooperation and elevate it to a new qualitative level.
Latvia also promotes its interests with regard to Russia within the framework of the EU-Russia relations, by participating actively in the work of the relevant EU institutions, dealing with specific issues and developing a joint strategy of relations.
History of Diplomatic Relations
On 11 August 1920, the Republic of Latvia and the Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Republic signed a peace treaty. Article 14 of the Treaty provided for the establishment of diplomatic and consular contacts between the parties upon ratification of the peace treaty.
The Latvian Embassy in Russia
Latvia's first diplomatic representative in Soviet Russia was Ambassador Janis Vesmanis. Mr Vesmanis presented his letter of accreditation on 2 November 1920. The Latvian Embassy was located in Moscow from 1920 to 1940.
Latvian consular representations in Russia
Latvian consular representations were established during the Civil War period (1919-1920) in Blagoveshchensk and Murmansk. Consular functions were also performed by representatives of the Latvian Interim Government: in Northern Russia by Alfreds Ikners (Archangelsk), in Southern Russia by Kristaps Bahmanis (Kiev) and Rudolfs Liepins (Don and Kuban). From June 1919 to October 1920, Latvia was also represented in Siberia and the Urals by Janis Mazpolis (Vladivostok).
Following the signing of the peace treaty, the following Latvian consular representations operated in Soviet Russia (as of December 1922 - the USSR):
- Moscow: Consulate-General (1920-1923)
- Petrograd (as of 1924 - Leningrad):
- Consulate-General (1924-1932, 1937-1938)
- Consulate (1920-1924, 1932-1937)
- Nizhny Novgorod: Consulate (1920-1921)
- Omsk: Consulate (1921-1923)
- Vitebsk: Consulate (1925-1932)
- Vladivostok: consular agency (1920-1923)
Russian diplomatic and consular representations in Latvia
The first official representative of Soviet Russia in Latvia, Jakov Ganecki, was accredited on 1 October 1920.
The USSR had the following consular representations in Latvia:
- Riga:
- Consulate-General (1925-1934)
- Consulate (1938)
- Daugavpils: Consulate (1923-1932)
- Liepaja: Consulate (1923-1932)
On 24 August 1991, the Russian Federation recognised the restored independence of Latvia, and diplomatic relations were renewed on October 4 of the same year.
Diplomatic relations today
Diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Latvia in Russia
- Moscow: Embassy
- St Petersburg: Consulate General
- Pskov: Consulate
Diplomatic and consular representations of the Russian Federation in Latvia:
- Riga: Embassy
- Daugavpils: Consulate-General
- Liepaja: Consulate-General
Latvia’s economic relations with Russian Federation (2011)
Export:
1. Lithuania – 1 903 083 808 USD or 17,16% of Latvia’s total export
2. Estonia – 1 461 536 858 USD or 13,17%
3. Russia – 1 262 397 831 USD or 11,40%
4. Germany – 899 322 032 USD or 8,11%
5. Sweden – 667 520 164 USD or 6,02%
Import:
1. Lithuania – 2 481 284 631 USD or 18,31% of Latvia’s total import
2. Germany – 1 567 046 651 USD or 11,56%
3. Russia – 1 301 764 737 USD or 9,66%
4. Poland – 1 012 237 632 USD or 7,46%
5. Estonia – 919 431 492 USD or 6,78%
Dynamics of Latvian-Russian trade relations 1999 - 2011, USD
|
Year |
Export |
Import |
Balance |
Turnover |
|
1999 |
113 409 772 |
309 444 209 |
-196 034 437 |
422 853 981 |
|
2000 |
77 857 786 |
370 436 033 |
-292 578 247 |
448 293 819 |
|
2001 |
116 928 203 |
321 948 939 |
-205 020 736 |
438 877 142 |
|
2002 |
133 744 223 |
355 462 001 |
-221 717 778 |
489 206 224 |
|
2003 |
155 814 160 |
455 445 895 |
-299 631 735 |
611 260 055 |
|
2004 |
255 175 080 |
616 527 140 |
-361 352 060 |
871 702 220 |
|
2005 |
402 303 286 |
735 127 202 |
-332 823 916 |
1 137 430 488 |
|
2006 |
523 368 676 |
891 580 050 |
-368 211 374 |
1 414 948 726 |
|
2007 |
754 756 207 |
1 275 941 206 |
-521 184 999 |
2 030 697 413 |
|
2008 |
926 914 603 |
1 666 383 697 |
-739 469 094 |
2 593 298 300 |
|
2009 |
632775212 |
994611587 |
-361 836 375 |
1 627 386 799 |
|
2010 |
947 684 910 |
1 153 125 194 |
-205 440 284 |
2 100 810 104 |
|
2011 |
1 262 397 831 |
1 301 764 737 |
-39 366 906 |
2 564 162 568 |