On 14 June 2022, the State Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, visited the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). During the visit, the Latvian delegation gained an insight into the main activities of CERN, engaged in a discussion on various possibilities for accelerating cooperation, and met with scientists from Latvia working at CERN.
The Parliamentary Secretary and the delegation met with CERN Director for International Relations, Charlotte Warakaulle, who made note of successful cooperation between Latvia and CERN at the level of both the government and the science community. Work is currently underway to involve Latvian businesses in CERN procurement.
For his part, CERN Adviser for Relations with Associate Member States, Jérôme Pierlot, presented a broad outline of CERN’s development plans and operational strategy.
The Parliamentary Secretary thanked CERN staff members for their support to successful completion of procedures for Latvia’s membership of CERN. Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica confirmed that Latvia would continue the successfully initiated cooperation: “We are committed to contribute to the organization and facilitate its work. Ongoing projects prove that our academia and business representatives are motivated and eager to enhance our bilateral relations.”
The Parliamentary Secretary welcomed the decision of the CERN Council on the condemnation of Russia’s aggression and suspending CERN projects with Russia.
Latvia’s accession to CERN is an example of science diplomacy. Current international challenges require synergy and cooperation among all international, national and non-governmental actors. We see a particular importance of facilitation of international scientific collaboration, and CERN is a great example, the Parliamentary Secretary pointed out.
The delegation also met with the team of Latvian scientists headed led at CERN by Director of the RTU Centre of High-Energy Physics and Accelerator Technologies, Kārlis Dreimanis. In a discussion of their work at CERN, the scientists presented their projects and mapped out plans for the future.
In total, 16 researchers, doctoral and master’s degree students and researchers from scientific institutions are currently working at CERN. The organisation ensures access to cutting-edge science infrastructure for Latvia’s scientists and engineers, including industry.
Background information
CERN was established in 1953 and currently has 23 Member States. The organisation’s headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland. Latvia has been an Associate Member State of CERN since 2 August 2021. Latvia is represented on the CERN Council by Ambassador Bahtijors Hasans and the Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science, Dmitrijs Stepanovs.
CERN’s mission is to provide a unique range of research facilities and infrastructure needed for high-energy physics research. Latvia-based companies such as Primekss Group, DATI Group, Baltic Scientific Instruments, SAF Tehnika, and others have cooperated with CERN.