On 29 January 2021, the Ambassador of Latvia to Spain, Māris Klišāns, presented his credentials to His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain. The ceremony took place in the Royal Palace in Madrid in the presence of Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arancha González Laya.
The Ambassador and His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain discussed the need for continued bilateral cooperation, including in politics, security, business and trade, culture and education.
The King of Spain highlighted the opportunities provided by student exchange programmes and showed interest in the popularity of Spanish culture in Latvia and learning of the Spanish language. Given the spread of COVID-19, the epidemiological situation and questions about the vaccination process.
The fruitful cooperation between Latvia and Spain at NATO and in the EU was also underlined during the conversation, with the focus on Spain’s participation in the NATO enhanced Forward Presence battle group in Latvia. Ambassador Klišāns thanked Spain for its contribution to security in the Baltic region.
Given how Latvia and Spain will be celebrating the centenary of their diplomatic relations in 2021, the Ambassador renewed the invitation from the President of Latvia, Egils Levits, for the King of Spain to visit Latvia to celebrate this landmark event. His Majesty welcomed the news that the Embassies of both countries are working on events to commemorate the centenary of diplomatic relations.
Background information
This year marks the centenary since Spain recognised Latvia de jure and diplomatic relations were established on 9 April 1921. Three decades ago, on 27 August 1991, Spain recognised the restoration of Latvia’s independence, and this was followed by the resumption of diplomatic ties on 9 October 1991.
Māris Klišāns is the eighth Latvian Ambassador to Spain since the restoration of Latvia’s independence and the 13th diplomatic representative of Latvia accredited to Spain since Spain recognised Latvia’s independence on 9 April 1921.
Māris Klišāns began his career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1992. He has been posted Ambassador to Norway, the Netherlands and Greece, and non-resident Ambassador to Iceland, Cyprus and Serbia, and as Permanent Representative of Latvia to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.