Consulate-General of the Republic of Latvia in St. Petersburg
  

Relations Between Latvia and Russia

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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 twenty 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. Among the current priorities in the bilateral relations are signing of Border Treaty and resumption of the work of the intergovernmental committee.

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