Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Latvia)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Latvian: Latvijas Republikas Ārlietu ministrija) is responsible for maintaining the Republic of Latvia's external relations and the management of its international diplomatic missions. The actual Minister of Foreign Affairs is Edgars Rinkēvičs, a member of the Unity Party and former State Secretary within Latvia's Ministry of Defence.[1][2]
| Latvijas Republikas Ārlietu ministrija | |
 | |
 Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Riga | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1918 |
| Jurisdiction | Latvia and its diplomatic missions worldwide |
| Headquarters | K. Valdemara street 3, Riga |
| Agency executives |
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| Child agency |
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| Website | www |
Diplomacy
The ministry directs Latvia's affairs with foreign entities, including bilateral relations with individual nations and its representation in international organizations, including the United Nations, European Union, Council of Europe, NATO, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization, and its participation in the Schengen Area. It oversees visas, cooperation with expatriates, international human rights policy, transatlantic defense policy and various global trade concerns. The ministry also contributes to Latvia's international trade and economic development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economics (Latvia) and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia. [3]
Inspector General
The Inspector General for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia is appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The current Inspector General for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia is Normans Penke.
| Inspector General | Dates served |
|---|---|
| Indulis Bērziņš | 2013 – 2015 |
| Māris Riekstiņš | 2015 – 2017 |
| Normans Penke | 2017 – Incumbent |
List of Ministers
- Jānis Jurkāns (22 May 1990 - 10 November 1992)
- Georg Andreevs (10 November 1992 - 7 June 1994)
- Valdis Birkavs (19 September 1994 - 16 July 1999)
- Indulis Bērziņš (16 July 1999 - 7 November 2002)
- Sandra Kalniete (7 November 2002 – 9 March 2004)
- Rihards Pīks (9 March 2004 – 19 July 2004)
- Artis Pabriks (21 July 2004 – 28 October 2007)
- Māris Riekstiņš (8 November 2007 – 28 April 2010)
- Aivis Ronis (29 April 2010 – 3 November 2010)
- Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis (3 November 2010 - 25 October 2011)
- Edgars Rinkēvičs (25 October 2011 - Present)
References
- "Minister of Foreign Affairs". am.gov.lv. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
- "Background Note: Latvia". State.gov. The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
- Annual Report by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on activities performed and planned in national foreign policy and on activities performed and planned in European Union matters (PDF). Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of Latvia. 2012. p. 32.
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