On Thursday, 9 January 2025, the of Minister Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, presented to the Cabinet a report on the accomplishments in foreign affairs in 2024 and further work with respect to national foreign policy and the European Union in 2025. Latvia’s foreign policy is pursued in a uniform manner and in close cooperation with the President, the Saeima, the Prime Minister, line ministries, local governments, social partners, including civil society, business and academic organisations.
The annual report produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is the main foreign policy planning document, which gives an account of the progress made over the previous year and defines the main tasks for the current year. The report will be reviewed by the Cabinet of Ministers on 14 January, while the annual debate on the foreign policy report in the Saeima will take place on 30 January.
“Russia’s policy is geared toward war, and it is not going to change in the next few years. This means that long-term tensions with Russia and its threats are the new normal, and this applies to each and every one in Latvia and in our Allied countries. Our position is clear: let us continue strengthening our security and our ability to counter threats, constrain Russia and increase support for Ukraine at every opportunity offered by our diplomatic work all over the world,” Foreign Minister Baiba Braže underlines.
The year 2024 was important for Latvia, as two decades had passed since joining the EU and NATO. In cooperation with the Baltic and Nordic Allies, NATO and the EU, and other like-minded partners in 2024, a targeted and coordinated action has been taken in three main directions: (1) to strengthen national security and defence, a rules-based international order, (2) to promote economic growth and prosperity, EU competitiveness and global influence, and (3) to protect the interests of our nationals, involve society in foreign policy making and implementation, and exploit the potential of the diaspora.
SECURITY. Latvia prioritized strengthening of national security and supporting Ukraine, constraining Russia in all possible ways, and strengthening the presence and capabilities of NATO Allies in our region. In 2024, we were one of NATO’s member states whose defence spending exceeding 3% of GDP. Decisions have been made together with Allies to implement the Alliance’s military strategy, including implementing regional defence plans. Canada-led NATO multinational brigade in Latvia has been significantly increased – currently it consists of more than 3,500 troops from 13 countries. In 2025, for the first time since its accession to NATO, Sweden will join the brigade with a mechanised infantry battalion of 600 personnel.
Latvia’s security situation is closely linked to the Ukrainian people’s fight for their independence; therefore, in 2024 as well, Latvia and its people continued providing Ukraine with comprehensive military, political, financial and humanitarian support. We have signed a bilateral agreement with Ukraine on long-term support and security commitments, including a commitment to provide military support of 0.25% of GDP and EUR 15 million for reconstruction over the next two years, as well as taking up other initiatives – work in the Latvian-led Drones Coalition, supply of military equipment and training of soldiers.
In the field of sanctions, significant progress has been made in further restricting Russia’s capabilities. Last year Latvia made a significant contribution both within the EU and in cooperation with the US, the UK and other partners. The 14th and 15th sanction packages adopted by the EU include Latvia’s proposals – barring the exports and transit of manganese ore to Russia, restrictions on the transhipment of liquefied natural gas originating in Russia through EU ports, and restrictive measures against the Russian “shadow fleet” vessels. Success was achieved with aligning considerably the sanctions on Russia and Belarus.
Last year, Latvia worked at the national and EU level on an effective enforcement of EU sanctions, given that it is the Latvian competent authorities which do important work in sanctions control at the EU’s eastern border, since 80% of the cargo crossing the Russian and Belarusian borders comes from other EU countries. Latvia’s priorities for the next rounds of sanctions are to further erode Russia’s military capabilities, a continued pressure on Russia’s energy sector, its trade in dual-use goods, the financial sphere and propaganda machinery, as well as further sanctioning of the “shadow fleet” vessels. Latvia will continue working with third countries to prevent them from helping Russia to circumvent sanctions.
Latvia continued to advocate for the use of the immobilised assets of the Russian state and the Central Bank towards Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Personae non grata posing threat to national security were also identified and denied entry into Latvia as well as restricting their movement within the Schengen area.
Latvia was involved as a third party in the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) case Ukraine v Russian Federation and strongly supported the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over investigation into crimes committed in Ukraine. We worked with 40 countries in setting up a Core Group on the Establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
Work to isolate Russia and Belarus in international organizations will continue in 2025. In 2024, for example, Russia was not elected to the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development and the Executive Board of the UN World Food Programme. At the Conference of the States Parties of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Russia was not elected, by an overwhelming majority, to the organization’s Executive Council for the second consecutive time. Support to Ukraine is one of Latvia’s priorities in international organisations. It is also one of the goals of Latvia’s candidacy for the UN Security Council (2026-2027).
ECONOMY. In 2024, the Foreign Service, including the network of embassies and honorary consuls, actively supported Latvian exporting businesses in addressing problems and building business contacts.
The work of public authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economics, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, and other organisations has resulted in the implementation of large investment projects such as Fibenol, VanOord, Golden Fields, Syfood. Export volumes of Latvian companies have also increased not only to European countries, but also to more remote markets – the US, India, Japan, Egypt, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and Canada. The Foreign Service succeeded in mobilising EU funding for various technology companies such as Origin Robotics. In March, the EC granted co-financing for the construction of the artillery modular powder charge plant in Latvia, and in November, co-financing of EUR 60 million for five projects, including two Latvian military capability development projects – the procurement of “Patria” 6x6 armoured vehicles and medium-range anti-aircraft systems “IRIS-T”.
Latvia makes use of all the available EU instruments and opportunities so that Latvian entrepreneurs can successfully operate in new markets. In the next EU multi-annual budget (2028-2034), Latvia’s priorities are security and defence, cohesion, the Common Agricultural Policy, and funding for Rail Baltica. Priority lines of action: the fight against the instrumentalisation of migration under hybrid warfare conditions; strengthening energy security; and preparation for the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2028.
LATVIAN PEOPLE. The Consular Service continued providing support to Latvian nationals in various crisis situations, for example, the Ministry organised the repatriation of 141 young people and 6 adults from Spain and France. The MFA, in close cooperation with the competent Latvian authorities, managed to return a minor, Monika Bukaine, from Russia to Latvia, to her legal representative, her mother.
Russia’s aggressive foreign policy marked a new line of action in consular work – protecting Latvian citizens, including current and former officials, from illegal and politically motivated international arrest warrants issued by Russia.
In view of more than one fifth of Latvian citizens residing temporarily or permanently outside Latvia, cooperation and support to the Latvian diaspora, including in order to sustain the Latvian language and culture abroad, will remain an important field for the activities of the Foreign Service.
During the preparation of the report, the Minister for Foreign Affairs met with foreign policy experts, researchers, members of youth organisations, the civil society and business sectors, to hear the views and proposals by the members of the public on what has been accomplished and needs to be done in foreign policy. Baiba Braže presented the report to, and was offered recommendations by the members of the Saeima at its Foreign Affairs Commission and the European Affairs Commission.