Published: 29.08.2021.

In accordance with the Article 7 of the Vienna Convention 1961, for the appointment of Defence, Naval, Army and Air Attachés as staff members of missions, the sending state shall submit in advance for its approval the names of all persons and their deputies appointed to such office. Missions should submit names and a brief biography to the State Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least four weeks before the planned arrival date.

Military personnel may be appointed to the Republic of Latvia only after the sending state has secured the Latvian Government’s consent to the establishment of a Defence Attaché office within the mission. The approval of the appointment will be communicated to the Mission by means of a verbal note.

Defence, Naval, Army and Air Attachés who have been approved remain subject to the provisions of Section 2.1. Arrivals and Departures of Diplomatic Missions / Consular Posts.

Courtesy Visit to the Minister of Defence

On arrival the Defence Attaché should pay his first courtesy visit to the Minister of Defence or, in the latter’s absence, to the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.

No special accreditation ceremony is envisaged.

Following the courtesy visit to the Ministry of Defence (hereafter - MoD), other courtesy visits at the MoD and National Armed Forces may be organised in cooperation with the MoD staff. The list below is meant to be a recommendation for arranging courtesy visits with other officials from the MoD and the National Armed Forces:

  • Under Secretary of State, Policy Director (MoD)
  • Chief of Staff, Joint Headquarters, LNAF
  • Commander of Land forces Mechanized Infantry Brigade
  • Commander of Latvian Navy
  • Commander of Latvian Air Force
  • Commander of National Guard

The Embassy of the foreign state concerned should contact the Organisation division at the MoD to arrange courtesy visits.

Along with members of the staff of the diplomatic and consular corps, Defence Attachés are accredited at the State Protocol of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and issued an identity card (see subsection 2.1.2.).