From 14 to 18 May, Latvia hosts the visit from Dr. Cephas Lumina, United Nations Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights.
On 15 May, Ambassador Lelde Līce-Līcīte submitted her credentials to Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, thus officially becoming Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg with residence in Brussels. As from 25 October 2011, Lelde Līce-Līcīte is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the Kingdom of Belgium.
On 15 May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the Minister of State of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany Michael Georg Link, who had arrived in Latvia for an introductory visit. The parties discussed Europe’s future and the current economic and financial topics.
On 15 May, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the Minister of Defence of the People’s Republic of China Liang Guanglie. “Latvia very highly appreciates the political dialogue between our countries at various levels, the dynamics of reciprocal visits, as well as political and parliamentary contacts. Latvia has always regarded China as a major partner in economic dialogue and cooperation,” emphasised Minister Rinkēvičs during the conversation.
On 15 May, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the establishment of the Council for the Coordination of External Economic Policy. Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs is to be Chairman of the Council, and the Minister of Economy Daniels Pavļuts – Deputy Chairman.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs welcomes the 13 May announcement by Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai on launching the third tranche of security responsibility transfer in the country. “I am certain that a solid foundation has been laid for the transition process to be successful and to proceed in a close interaction between Afghan authorities and the international community.
On 15 May, the Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andris Teikmanis met with non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia Daniel Rudolph Smith who was in Riga on an accreditation visit. At the beginning of the conversation, the parties noted that this year marked 15 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
On 14 May in Brussels, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs took part in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. While the European Union’s foreign ministers discussing the EU-Ukraine relations, Minister Rinkēvičs expressed concern over the deterioration of political and human rights situation in Ukraine.
On 14 May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs will take part in the European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. During the meeting, the ministers intend to continue their discussion on Afghanistan from the perspective of NATO Chicago Summit. Other topics on the agenda are the preparation for the EU-Mexico Summit, Ukraine, the Middle East Peace Process, and EU’s Southern neighbourhood.
On Saturday 12 May, despite the windy weather, the European Union Garden Festival welcomed several thousands of visitors of all generations. This year's festival was devoted to the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity Between Generations.
On 15 May, the Minister of State at Federal Foreign Office of Germany Michael Georg Link is to arrive in Latvia on an introductory visit. The Minister of State will meet the Saeima Speaker Solvita Āboltiņa, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs and the Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andris Teikmanis.
From 11 to 12 May in Tallinn, the Foreign Minister of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs will take part in the annual Lennart Meri Conference on foreign policy and security matters. The participants of the event include high-ranking politicians, academics, and representatives from non-governmental organisations and mass media.
On Saturday, 12 May, Vērmanes Garden in Riga will be home to the European Union Garden Festival, where ten themed tents will feature various directions important for the EU and Latvia. All through the day, visitors will be able to take part in exciting activities and find useful information in the tents titled “The European Union House”, “Active Europe”, “Productive Europe”, “Creative Europe”, “Youth in Movement”, “Prosperous Europe”, “Digital Europe”, “The Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU”, “Green Europe”, and “Rīga|2014”.
“The Living European Flag” event on 9 May in the Esplanade marked the birthday of the European Union. The eight-metres-wide and fourteen-metres-long flag was created by the participants holding 1000 blue balloons and twelve yellow umbrellas. The event was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in association with the European Commission Representation in Latvia, the European Parliament Information Office and the Danish Cultural Institute.
On 8 May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia Pierre Morel. The matters discussed were related to the Northern Distribution Network (NDN) and the Central Asian region, as well as the Strategy of the European Union for, and its dialogue with Central Asia. Special Representative Morel shared his long experience of working with the region and its countries.
On 8 May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Latvia in association with the Latvian Institute of International Affairs, State Joint Stock Company “Latvijas Dzelzceļš” and Joint Stock Company “The Freeport of Riga” held an international workshop, “Transformation of the Northern Distribution Network (NDN) into a Commercial Continental Transit Route – a Regional Comeback for Afghanistan”. The event was hosted by the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga.
On 7 May, State Secretary Andris Teikmanis met with the new Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Latvia Lulzim Peci who submitted to State Secretary the copies of his credentials. During the meeting, the parties discussed the Ambassador’s ideas on developing Latvia-Kosovo bilateral relations, the EU integration process of Kosovo and its relations with Serbia.
On 7 May, State Secretary Andris Teikmanis met with Susan Elliott, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Asia at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. During the meeting, the parties discussed the cooperation between Latvia and the United States in relation to the route of the U.S. non-military cargo deliveries from Latvia to Afghanistan and eventually adapting the road to the needs of commercial transport.
On 4 May, in an official ceremony in the headquarters of the UN Food and Agricultural Organisations (FAO), Ambassador Elita Kuzma presented her credentials to the FAO Director General Jose Graziano da Silva. Then, in a bilateral conversation, both parties discussed the vision by Latvia as a FAO member state concerning cooperation in the areas of the FAO competence, such as food supply, food security and agriculture.
Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs strongly condemn the act of terrorism in Dagestan where at least 12 people died and more than one hundred were injured in two bomb attacks. “Latvia condemns terrorism in all its manifestations, and those guilty of this terrorist act must be identified and receive adequate punishment,” the Latvian government officials emphasized.
