On 19 September 2024, the heads of more than 50 diplomatic missions accredited to Latvia will go on their annual regional trip to the region of Kurzeme. The purpose of the trips is to facilitate Latvia’s bilateral relations, to present opportunities for investment, economic cooperation and tourism in the region, as well as to showcase the diverse cultural and historical heritage of Latvia. This year, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dace Melbārde, invites the ambassadors to get acquainted with the Kurzeme pearl – the town of Kuldīga, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
On their way, the foreign diplomats will visit the Jaunmoku Palace to see its special architecture.
While in Kuldīga, the participants are to meet the Chairperson of the Town Council, Inese Ataševska, learn more about the historical and cultural heritage of Kuldīga, visit local companies – Duna Brewery, Curonia Coffee Roastery, the Klavins Piano workshop, an environmentally-friendly Raitums colours manufacturers, a natural cosmetics company, Etīde, and ‘a co-creation place for creative energies’, Adatu Fabrika – a renovated 19th century needle factory building that hosts professionals and enthusiasts in various creative fields, including participants of international student exchange programmes.
The foreign diplomats will then visit one of Latvia’s leading wood industry companies, Stiga RM Group, which successfully operates in logging, wood processing, metal working, as well as timber transport and real estate development.
The ambassadors will also be welcomed by a rural entrepreneur in Snēpele Parish, Pēteris Gobzems, who specialises in goat and ostrich farming. In his Strauss and Kaza eatery, the visitors will be treated to the food produced on the farm.
The regional trip will be concluded with a tour of Abava Vinyard.
Background information
Each year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs arranges a trip to a particular Latvian region for the heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Latvia. Last year, the ambassadors had the opportunity to explore Vidzeme and Sēlija, and before that, the regions of Zemgale and Latgale.
There are 135 diplomatic missions and 14 representations of international organisations accredited to Latvia.