On 26 January each year, we are celebrating the day of the international recognition of the Republic of Latvia. 103 years ago, Latvian diplomats had successfully reached a major milestone: at the meeting of the Supreme Council of the Allied Powers with participation of the Prime Ministers of Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy, as well as the representative of Japan, it was decided to recognize Latvia de jure.
On 24 January 2024, at the official reception dedicated to the occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Krišjānis Kariņš underlined: “The anniversary of the international de jure recognition of Latvia is one of the most important historic events for the Foreign Service. The recognition of Latvia de jure helped to ensure our state continuity during the long years of occupation, and this fact still remains of paramount importance. Let me thank every staff member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the work you are doing: it’s our service that achieved the de jure recognition of Latvia, and we continue to be at the forefront of protecting our country’s independence.”
Krišjānis Kariņš thanked the Foreign Ministry diplomats and presented them with Certificates of Recognition from the Cabinet of Ministers for their contribution to the work of the Foreign Service and shaping the national foreign policy. The Certificates of Recognition from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were presented to 47 members of the Foreign Service and representatives of partner organisations for a significant personal contribution they have made for the benefit of the Foreign Service and the Latvian state.
For 103 years already, Latvian diplomats have had to work under, and adapt to various conditions and find solutions in complicated situations: formation of the state, the establishment of a foreign service and the difficult path to international recognition, the period of occupation, when the Foreign Service was the only public authority of the Republic of Latvia which continued performing its functions, the restoration of Latvia’s independence, and the work of the Foreign Ministry in the representation, cooperation and development of the state.
At a time when the war has been raging in Ukraine for nearly two years and new tensions have emerged in the Middle East, the fundamental goals defined by Latvia’s foreign policy – ensuring the independence of the state, sustainable security and public welfare – the diplomats’ work is taking on an even greater importance.
Those invited to the official festive event at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mark the international de jure recognition of the Republic of Latvia included former senior officials of the State and Government, former foreign ministers and ambassadors, representatives of the Presidium, the Foreign Affairs Committee and the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima, Ambassadors of Latvia to foreign countries and international organisations, Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary accredited to the Republic of Latvia, foreign Honorary Consuls, retired employees of the Ministry, and other co-operation partners. As every year, the Minister also met with foreign ambassadors not residing in Latvia for a discussion on foreign policy developments.
Each year, on the eve of the de jure recognition of Latvia, the Foreign Ministry staff commemorate their colleagues who have passed away and pay tribute to their contribution to Latvia’s foreign policy aspirations. At the Meža Kapi cemetery, the Minister of Foreign Affairs lays flowers together with colleagues at the final resting places of Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics, Jānis Čakste, Gunārs Meierovics and other former members of the Foreign Service.
