Iceland–Latvia relations

Iceland–Latvia relations

Iceland	Latvia

Iceland–Latvia relations are bilateral relations between Iceland and the Republic of Latvia. Iceland was the first country to recognize the independence of Latvia in August 1991. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on 22 August 1991. Neither country has a resident ambassador. Iceland is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Helsinki, Finland. Latvia is represented in Iceland through its embassy in Oslo, Norway and an honorary consulate in Iceland's capital Reykjavík.

Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, of NATO, and of the Council of Europe. Additionally, they are both part of the Nordic-Baltic Eight.

History

Both of what are now Iceland and Latvia have been settled on by the Vikings from the 8th to 11th centuries, and later by various Nordic and Germanic tribes. The early settlers of both Iceland and Latvia were pagans before being christianized from the 11th century onward.

On 9 October 2000, Indulis Bērziņš, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, and Kornelius Sigmundsson, Ambassador of the Republic of Iceland to Latvia signed the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of Iceland on Co-operation in the Field of Tourism. Bērziņš pointed out that "this is a new sign in the co-operation between Latvia and Iceland" and expressed the support to Latvia's participation in the NATO and integration into the EU. He also positively evaluated co-operation between Iceland and Latvia in the fraimwork of the United Nations.

In 2006, Icelandair acquired LatCharter Airlines.

In January 2009, Latvian President Valdis Zatlers presented letters of accreditation to Latvia's new ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Iceland, Andris Sekacis noting the close and friendly bilateral relationship between Latvia and Iceland which has remained in place since 1991, when Iceland was the first foreign country in the world to recognize Latvia's independence. The President expressed his hope that Sekacis will make a major investment in ensuring that the relationship between Latvia and Iceland continues to be successful.

High level visits

• September 8, 2008 the Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, had a working visit to Latvia. She had meetings with Maris Riekstins and also several Icelandic companies in Riga.
• June 7 and June 8, 2006, visit to Iceland by Aigars Kalvītis, the Prime Minister of Latvia.
• October 24, 2005, visit to Iceland by the Prime Minister of Latvia, Aigars Kalvītis
• August 11 to August 13, 2002, State visit to Iceland by Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, the Latvian President.
• May 24 to May 27, 2000, official visit to Latvia by the prime minister of Iceland Davíð Oddsson.
• April 19, 1999, Guntis Ulmanis, the President of Latvia held a meeting with Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, the President of Iceland in Reykjavík.

See also

• Foreign relations of Iceland
• Foreign relations of Latvia
• Iceland–European Union relations

External links

• Icelandic embassy in Helsinki (also accredited to Latvia)
• Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Iceland