From 27 to 31 January 2025, the heads of Latvia’s diplomatic missions abroad and Latvian Ambassadors residing in Riga will gather for their annual meeting in Riga to discuss the priorities and current tasks of the foreign service. Its aim is to discuss the priorities of the foreign service and foreign policy tasks – to strengthen Latvia's security and rules-based international order, to promote economic growth and resilience, and to protect the interests of Latvian nationals.
The event will bring together 45 ambassadors. Topics on the agenda: strengthening the presence and capabilities of NATO Allies in Latvia; further support to Ukraine; Russia’s isolation in international organisations, its deterrence and reduction of combat capabilities; pursuit of economic interests of Latvia, including support to exporting companies, and improvement of cooperation in attracting and implementing large-scale investment projects; a more targeted engagement of the diaspora in addressing political, social and economic issues of current importance to Latvia; Latvia’s candidacy for the UN Security Council (UNSC).
On 28 January
- Foreign Minister Baiba Braže opens the meeting at 8.15 am, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Prime Minister Evika Siliņa addresses the participants at 9.00 am.
- Elina Valtonen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, engages with participants about security in the Baltic sea region.
- Georgios Gerapetritis, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, engages with participants about current regional and global challenges.
- Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy, Productivity, Implementation and Simplification informs the ambassadors about the European Commission’s tasks and priorities for 2025.
- EC Secretary General Ilze Juhansone, Lelde Līce-Līcīte, Permanent Representative of Latvia, and Ingrīda Levrence, Under Secretary of State for Europe, engage with ambassadors about issues high on EU agenda.
The ambassadors will also meet the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, and the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa.
Meetings scheduled for the week:
- With the Minister of Economics, Viktors Valainis, the Minister of Climate and Energy, Kaspars Melnis, the Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development, Inga Bērziņa and the Minister of Culture, Agnese Lāce, the ambassadors will discuss the growth of Latvia’s economy and activities planned for 2025.
- With the Chair of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee, Ināra Mūrniece, the Deputy Chair of the European Affairs Committee, Uģis Rotbergs, the Chair of the Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee at the Saeima, Raimonds Bergmanis, and the Chair of the National Security Committee, Ainars Latkovskis, the ambassadors will discuss current affairs on the agenda of the Saeima.
- With the Director of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Ieva Jāgere, the Ambassadors will discuss support for Latvian businesses entering foreign markets, attracting investments and promoting exports.
- Experts from the Bank of Latvia and the Fintech Latvia Association will outline development priorities for the Latvian financial sector.
- With the Permanent Representative of Latvia to NATO, Māris Riekstiņš, and the Ambassador Representative to the EU Political and Security Committee, Kristaps Brusbārdis, the Ambassadors will discuss strengthening of Latvia’s security and defence.
- The Commander of the National Armed Forces, Brigade General Kaspars Pudāns, will address the participants engaging society in the defence of Latvia.
- Under Sacretary of State for Logistics at the Ministry of Defence, Major General Andis Dilāns, will provide information on the development of the military industry in Latvia.
- Deputy Director General for Customs of the State Revenue Service, Director of the National Customs Board, Raimonds Zukuls, and the Deputy Chief of the State Border Guard, Head of the Main Administration, General Juris Martukāns, will inform the ambassadors about issues concerning the EU’s sanctions and the external eastern border.
- Latvia stands as a candidate for the UN Security Council (2026-2028), and has set continued support to Ukraine as its priority. The Permanent Representative of Malta to the United Nations, Vanessa Frazier, will share Malta’s experience of the UN DP (2023-2024) membership.
The ambassadors will also visit the centre for innovation, co-operation and growth, Startup House Riga, in order to get acquainted with start-ups and have an insight into the innovation ecosystem. They will also meet the staff of SIA Pelegrin, who will present the company’s UL (ultra-light) aircraft, among the highest in demand globally in their class.