LATEST NEWS
2008-04-12
Prime Minister met Ambassador of People's Republic of China to Latvia
Today, on April 2, Ivars Godmanis, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, met Zhang Limin, Ambassador of People's Republic of China, during his introductory visit.
The focus of the meeting was the topical issues of relations between Latvia and China, economic cooperation and current political matters. During the course of discussions, the officials approved of the bilateral dialogue and necessity to further cooperation in economics, science, education and culture.
The Prime Minister highlighted the interest of Latvia in expanding economic relations with China – especially in the area of transit, rail transportation and use of sea ports. The Head of the Government particularly emphasized the use of Latvian transport, transit and logistics infrastructure for the purpose of trade between China and the European Union (EU), and development of Latvia as the regional centre of logistics. The Prime Minister appealed to China for intensification of forming the rail cooperation transport group.
The Prime Minister once again reminded about the interest of Latvia in pursuing the issue of direct air traffic between Rīga and Beijing, stressing the necessity for organising the meeting of experts of respective line ministries in order to learn about the facilities of the Rīga airport and discuss the opportunities for the direct air transportation.
The situation in Taiwan and Tibet was also discussed during the meeting. With regard to Taiwan, the Prime Minister once again approved the One China Policy, consistently implemented by the Government of Latvia, and noted that the mentioned issue can only be solved in a peaceful manner. Considering the situation in Tibet, the Prime Minister expressed negative attitude towards any kind of violence, stressing that a sustainable solution can only be achieved through discussions. The Prime Minister noted that a positive dealing with those delicate issues could be promoted by China's ability to provide open and correct information about the situation in Tibet to the world, and ensure the presence of diplomats and international journalists in the region.
2008-03-15
Foreign Minister voices concern on recent developments in Lhasa
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins has voiced concern regarding the events of previous days in Lhasa, Tibet, where civilian lives have been lost in the unrest. The Minister urges avoidance of the use of force and the seeking of a solution through peaceful negotiations. Violence in any form cannot serve as a solution and is to be condemned.
Latvia is of the view that Tibet is a part of the People's Republic of China, and is interested in a constructive dialogue with China on humanitarian issues, including the preservation of the cultural, ethnic, and religious identity of Tibet.
2008-03-10
Foreign Minister discusses potential development of bilateral co-operation with Chinese Ambassador
On 10 March the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Latvia, Zhang Limin, made an introductory visit to the Foreign Minister, Maris Riekstins.
At the meeting, Minister Riekstins commended the development of bilateral relations, and stressed the potential of the economic dimension in co-operation, especially in the area of transport. The parties voiced satisfaction with the present intensity of the Latvia-China political consultations, which provide the opportunity to follow the trends of bilateral relations, as well as to exchange views on current events in international politics.
Foreign Minister confirmed that Latvia will consistently continue to observe the One-China policy. Likewise, the Minister wished the Chinese people every success in hosting two events of international significance: the Beijing Olympic Games and the ASEM (the Asia-Europe Meeting) Summit.
2007-12-07
Accession of Latvia to the Schengen Area
The 6 December meeting of the Council of the European Union, Justice and Home Affairs in Brussels adopted a conclusion by which nine new EU Member States – Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia and Malta will join the Schengen Area.
This decision provides for the abolition, from 21 December, of border control on land and maritime borders of Latvia with Lithuania and Estonia, and thus this border becomes the internal border of the Schengen space. The abolition of border control at the internal air borders is planned for 30 March 2008.
The border of Latvia with neighbouring countries Russia and Belarus, which are not members of the Schengen Treaty, will become the external border of the Schengen Area. Border controls on the external border of the Schengen Area will be maintained.
After the accession of Latvia to the Schengen Area on 21 December this year, Latvia's diplomatic and consular representations abroad will commence the issuance of a uniform or Schengen visa, which will be valid in the territory of all the states – members to the Shengen Treaty.
Additional information of Latvia's accession to the Schengen Area and changes in the visa issuance
2007-10-22
Latvia-China security policy consultations concluded
On 22 October, Latvia-China security policy consultations were concluded in Beijing. The Latvian delegation was headed by Ilgvars Klava, the Political Director of the Foreign Ministry, and the Chinese delegation – by Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Dawei.
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2007-09-20
Latvian Culture Days take place in China
Yesterday, 19 September, the official opening of the photo project ZZZ exhibition as part of the Pingyao International Photography Festival heralded the Latvian Culture Days event in China. The photo project, which was created by well-known Latvian photographer Andrejs Grants and members of the Annas 2 Centre for Creative Learning youth photo studio, took shape over a period of several years, and is a unique interplay between photographic and cinematic aesthetics.
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2007-09-20
Band Auli visits China
On 20 September, the Latvian bagpipe and drum band Auli arrived in Beijing to participate in events at the Latvian Culture Days in China being organised by the Latvian Embassy in the People's Republic of China.
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2007-09-18
Mezciems Primary School pupils visit Beijing
On 19 September 2007, pupils from grade 7a of the Mezciems Primary School will arrive in China and represent Latvia in the Beijing Olympic Games educational programme Heart-to-Heart.
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2007-09-03
Latvian diplomatic representations participate in photo campaign "One Day in Latvia - Twenty Years Later"
On 31 August 2007, following an earlier call to all Latvian representations abroad, a number of Latvian diplomatic missions, including the Latvian Embassies in Finland, Ireland, Canada, Norway, Greece, the Czech Republic, and China, participated in the photo campaign One Day in Latvia - Twenty Years Later. Among other participants was the representative of the Latvian diaspora community in Australia, Prof Ojars Greste, and the Latvian congregation in Argentina.
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2007-07-10
Embassy in China screens Latvian animated films for students
Thanks to a successful collaboration with the animation studios Avarijas Brigade and Dauka, the Latvian Embassy in China introduced students at the Hongzhi Secondary School, a Latvian co-operation school, to animated films from Latvia on 10 July. They were well received and attracted considerable interest. The Embassy plans to organise further screenings of animated films in future so as to broaden the knowledge of Chinese students about Latvia.
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2007-07-06
Students of Hongzhi Middle School visit Latvian Embassy in China
On 6 July 2007, students and teachers from the Hongzhi Middle School in Beijing made a visit to the Latvian Embassy in China.
The visit by the students to the Latvian diplomatic representation was arranged at the initiative of Janis Lovniks, the Latvian Ambassador to China, for the purpose of better acquainting them with the history of Latvia, its culture, sports traditions, as well as with the work of the Embassy. Students took an active part in the discussion by asking questions and expressed genuine interest about Latvia and the development of co-operation between Latvia and China.
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2007-06-18
Balts to celebrate Ligo festival in Beijing
At the invitation of the Latvian Embassy in China, all three Baltic state embassies in Beijing will join with Baltic citizens resident in Beijing in celebrating the forthcoming Ligo (summer solstice) festival together on 23 June.
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2007-01-22
Conference on translation of classical and canonical texts into Latvian, Estonian and Finnish languages
On 24 January 2007, from 10 to 4.30 pm, in auditorium K102 of the Riga Stradins University (16 Dzirciema St.), the Latvian Embassy in Estonia, in co-operation with the Finnish Institute in Estonia and the Confucius Centre of the Riga Stradins University, will hold an international scientific conference on the Translation of Classical and Canonical Texts into the Latvian, Estonian and Finnish Languages.
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2006-09-06
On the 9th Saeima elections procedure abroad
On 7 October 2006, the 9th Saeima (Latvian parliament) elections will be held. Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in conjunction with the Central Election Commission has created 53 polling stations abroad. In 38 of the polling stations it will be possible to file applications for voting by post and also to vote in person, and 15 polling stations will be open on the election day itself from 7 am to 10 pm local time.
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2006-09-04
Film about Latvia broadcast in China
On 3 September 2006, the Chinese TV channel Travel Channel started broadcast of the film Love Latvia. The film is dedicated to the 15th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Latvia and China and, for the first time in the history of diplomatic relations between both countries, familiarises the Chinese TV audience with the culture of Latvia.
25 July, 2007
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