On 26 August 2024, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andžejs Viļumsons, met with the next French Ambassador to Latvia, Manuel Lafont Rapnouil. The officials commended the close political dialogue between Latvia and France, as well as their active cooperation in economic, security and education. Andžejs Viļumsons welcomed the Strategic Partnership between Latvia and France and its Action Plan for 2023–2027, as well as the “3+1” format of the Baltic and French Foreign Ministers’ meeting, which promotes closer cooperation and coordination between the countries.
The State Secretary and the French Ambassador agreed on the need to further deepen economic cooperation, with a particular emphasis on military production, research, information and communication technologies, as well as the transport and logistics sectors. In a discussion on cooperation in education, Andžejs Viļumsons emphasised Latvia’s interest in promoting the learning and teaching of French as a second foreign language in Latvian schools, which would also foster closer ties with French culture.
During the meeting, the diplomats also exchanged views on the security situation in the region and Russia’s war against Ukraine. Andžejs Viļumsons expressed his gratitude for contribution by France to the security of the Baltic region, which is particularly important for ensuring long-term stability along NATO’s eastern flank.
The Ambassador will take office after accreditation with the President of Latvia.