On 11-13 July 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host the 10th Meeting of the Honorary Consuls of the Republic of Latvia in Riga to bring them up-to-date on Latvia’s foreign and security policy, to discuss questions regarding the stability of the financial sector and the prospects of bilateral economic and cultural cooperation, and to introduce the latest in the provision of consular services. More than 70 Honorary Consuls from 37 countries will take part in the meeting.
On 11 July, the participants will be addressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edgars Rinkēvičs, Speaker of the Saeima, Ināra Mūrniece, Minister for Defense, Atis Pabriks, and the Director of NATO Strategic Communication Centre of Excellence, Jānis Sārts. The Honorary Consuls will also meet with representatives of the Financial Intelligence Unit of Latvia and the Bank of Latvia.
The Consuls will attend a reception at Riga Castle hosted by the President of Latvia, Egils Levits, and the First Lady, Andra Levite.
On 12 July, the participants are scheduled to meet with representatives of the Ministry of Economics and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia. Proposals for cooperation with the Investment and Tourism Agency of Riga (LIVE RIGA) will also be discussed. The Central Election Commission will brief the participants on current affairs.
The Honorary Consuls will then visit Mežaparks Great Bandstand and meet with the Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Council, Edvards Smiltēns. The cultural programme will also include the folk-dance ensemble "Zelta sietiņš" and the opportunity to attend the exhibition “PURVĪTIS” at the Latvian National Museum of Art.
On 13 July, the Honorary Consuls, alongside the Minister for Transport, Tālis Linkaits, and the Chairman of the Board of JSC “Pasažieru vilciens,” Jānis Grigulis, will take the train to Tukums and have a tour of Šlokenbeka Manor, as well as one of the largest manufacturers of modern facades in the Baltic region, SIA “Skonto Plan Ltd.” In Sabile, participants will have the opportunity to visit the Art, Culture and Tourism Center located in the newly-renovated Sabile Synagogue, and Kalnmuiža Manor.
Background information
Meetings of the Honorary Consuls of Latvia take place once every two years and have been organized since 2002.
The Honorary Consuls represent the interests of Latvia in all regions of the world – Europe, America, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Latvia has more than 170 Honorary Consuls all across the world.
The Honorary Consuls perform representative and consular functions on behalf of the Republic of Latvia. They carry out their duties voluntarily.