Iceland–Latvia relations
Encyclopedia
Iceland–Latvia relations are foreign relations between Iceland
and Latvia
. Iceland was the first country to recognize the independence of Latvia in August 1991. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on August 22, 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 Reykjavik.
Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States
, of NATO, and of the Council of Europe
.
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 the Republic of 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.
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
and Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
. Iceland was the first country to recognize the independence of Latvia in August 1991. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on August 22, 1991. Neither country has a resident ambassador. Iceland is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
(Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
). Latvia is represented in Iceland through its embassy in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
(Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
) and an honorary consulate in Reykjavik.
Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States
Council of the Baltic Sea States
The Council of the Baltic Sea States is an overall political forum for regional intergovernmental cooperation which addresses the five priority areas of the environment, economic development, energy, education and culture, civil security and human dimension, including trafficking in human...
, of NATO, and of the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
.
History
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 framework of the United Nations.In 2006 Icelandair
Icelandair
Icelandair ehf is the flag carrier airline of Iceland, based on the grounds of Reykjavík Airport in Reykjavík. It is part of the Icelandair Group and currently operates scheduled services to 31 cities in 13 countries on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean out of its hub at Keflavík International Airport...
acquired LatCharter Airlines.
In January 2009, Latvian President Valdis Zatlers
Valdis Zatlers
Valdis Zatlers is a Latvian politician and former physician who served as the seventh president of Latvia from 2007 to 2011. He won the Latvian presidential election of 31 May 2007...
presented letters of accreditation to Latvia's new ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Republic of 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.
State visits
- September 8, 2008 the Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ingibjörg Sólrún GísladóttirIngibjörg Sólrún GísladóttirIngibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir is an Icelandic politician from the Social Democratic Alliance, formerly Minister for Foreign Affairs 2007–2009 and leader of the Alliance 2005–2009.-Education:...
, had a working visit to Latvia. She had meetings with Maris RiekstinsMāris RiekstiņšMāris Riekstiņš is a Latvian politician and diplomat with an extensive experience in the foreign service, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Latvia...
and also several Icelandic companies in Riga. - June 7 and June 8, 2006, visit to Iceland by Aigars KalvītisAigars KalvitisAigars Kalvītis is a Latvian politician, former Prime Minister of Latvia and current Chairman of the Board of Latvijas Balzams....
, the Prime Minister of LatviaPrime Minister of LatviaThe Prime Minister of Latvia is the most powerful member of the Government of the Republic of Latvia, and presides over the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers...
. - 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-FreibergaVaira Vike-FreibergaVaira Vīķe-Freiberga was the sixth President of Latvia, the first female President of Latvia and the first female leader in eastern Europe. She was elected President of Latvia in 1999 and re-elected in 2003.Dr...
, the Latvian President. - May 24 to May 27, 2000, official visit to Latvia by the Prime Minister of IcelandPrime Minister of IcelandThe Prime Minister of Iceland is Iceland's head of government. The prime minister is appointed formally by the President and exercises executive authority along with the cabinet subject to parliamentary support....
Davíð OddssonDavíð OddssonDavíð Oddsson is an Icelandic politician and the longest-serving Prime Minister of Iceland, holding office from 1991 to 2004. He also served as Foreign Minister from 2004 to 2005. Previously, he was Mayor of Reykjavík from 1982 to 1991, and he chaired the board of governors of the Central Bank of...
. - April 19, 1999, Guntis UlmanisGuntis UlmanisGuntis Ulmanis is a Latvian politician and was the fifth President of Latvia from 1993 to 1999.-Early life:Guntis Ulmanis was born in Riga on September 13, 1939. His grandfather was the brother of then-President and Prime Minister Kārlis Ulmanis. In 1941 Guntis Ulmanis and his family were exiled...
, the President of Latvia held a meeting with Olafur Ragnar GrimssonÓlafur Ragnar GrímssonÓlafur Ragnar Grímsson is the fifth and current President of Iceland. He has served as President since 1996; he was unopposed in 2000, re-elected for a third term in 2004, and re-elected unopposed for a fourth term in 2008. He is the longest-serving left-wing president in the history of...
, the President of IcelandPresident of IcelandThe President of Iceland is Iceland's elected head of state. The president is elected to a four-year term by universal adult suffrage and has limited powers. The president is not the head of government; the Prime Minister of Iceland is the head of government. There have been five presidents since...
in ReykjavikReykjavíkReykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
.