Consulado Honorário Da República Da Letónia Em LisboaFacebook

Riga to welcome Honorary Consuls of Latvia from across the globe

From 2 to 4 July 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) will be hosting the ninth meeting of the Honorary Consuls of Latvia with the aim of informing them about the issues high on Latvia’s foreign policy agenda, its economic development and opportunities for business cooperation, including involvement in the export promotion and attraction of investments. A networking event will be held to build up contacts with Latvian businesses. The Honorary Consuls will also receive updates on consular work; they will visit the Riga Technical University and the National Library of Latvia, as well as several Latvian companies.

 

The meeting at the MFA will be opened by Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs, and a welcome speech will be delivered by Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis. The Speaker of the Latvian Parliament, Ināra Mūrniece, will welcome the Honorary Consuls to the Saeima. The MFA Parliamentary Secretary, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, will also have a meeting with the Honorary Consuls.

 

The Minister of Economy, Arvils Ašeradens, Director of Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Andris Ozols, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Economics, Artis Grinbergs, and The Red Jackets founder, Inese Andersone, will present latest developments in economy and address cooperation issues. The Director of the Latvian Institute, Aiva Rozenberga, will outline opportunities for cooperation with the Latvian Institute. The Head of the Consular Assistance Division at the MFA, Sandra Salmiņa-Šuke, will present consular updates, whilst officials from the Central Electoral Commission will inform the visitors about the upcoming Saeima elections.

 

The MFA will also host a business-networking event for the Honorary Consuls and businessmen to offer Latvian companies a possibility of receiving support in the countries where Latvia does not have its mission, and in various regions where the limited capacity of embassies prevents them from expanding their activities.

The Honorary Consuls will then visit the Riga Technical University and the National Library of Latvia, as well as some companies: Joint Stock Company “Latvia’s State Forests”, RIGA International Airport and airBaltic national airlines, the Free Port of Riga, and Latvijas Mobilais Telefons, a mobile telecommunications operator.

Closing remarks, taking stock of the meting, will be delivered by the MFA State Secretary, Andrejs Pildegovičs.

 

A reception for the Honorary Consuls is to be hosted by the President of Latvia, Raimonds Vējonis, and his spouse.

The visitors will have an opportunity to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Song and Dance Celebration while watching the dance concert entitled “Another Hundred Years of Dance”.

 

The meeting is expected to bring together 119 Honorary Consuls from 58 countries. They represent Latvia’s interests in all regions of the world – Europe, America, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

 

Background information

Since 2002, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia has been holding meetings for Honorary Consuls in Riga every two years. The gatherings have already become a tradition, which allows Latvia to promote economic, cultural and consular co-operation, particularly in those countries where Latvia does not have any diplomatic representation.

 

Honorary Consuls are appointed by the Foreign Minister, and they do not receive any remuneration from the state budget.

 

http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/news/latest-news/60597-riga-to-welcome-honorary-consuls-of-latvia-from-across-the-globe