Foreign relations of Latvia

thumb|Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riga

The foreign relations of Latvia are primarily managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The modern Republic of Latvia considers itself a continuation of the 1918–1940 Latvian state. After declaring the restoration of full independence on August 21, 1991, Latvia joined the United Nations on September 17, 1991, and has since become a signatory to numerous UN organizations and international agreements. On June 3, 2025, Latvia was elected to the United Nations Security Council by the General Assembly.

Latvia actively pursues deeper integration and cooperation with NATO, the European Union (EU), the OECD, and other Western organizations. It also seeks to expand its role in UN peacekeeping missions worldwide.

Latvia is a member of several international organizations, including:

Council of Europe (CoE)
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
International Criminal Court (ICC)
World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
North Atlantic Coordinating Council (NACC)
CERCO

In a nationwide referendum on September 20, 2003, Latvians voted in favor of joining the European Union. Latvia officially became an EU member state on May 1, 2004. It also joined NATO on March 29, 2004.

On April 11, 2024, Latvia signed a 10-year security agreement with Ukraine.

Multilateral

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| See 2004 enlargement of the European Union

Latvia joined the European Union as a full member on 1 May 2004.

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Latvia joined NATO as a full member on 29 March 2004.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Latvia maintains diplomatic relations with:

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Relations by country

Americas

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"

! style="width:15%;" | Country

! style="width:12%;" | Formal Relations Began

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| ||1921-01-26, 1991-08-26||See Canada–Latvia relations

Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on September 3, 1991.
Canada has an embassy in Riga.
Latvia has an embassy in Ottawa and 2 honorary consulates in Quebec and Toronto.
Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and of NATO.

| ||1922-07-08, 1995-07-19

Colombia counts with an honorary consulate in Riga.
Latvia counts with an honorary consulate in Bogotá and is represented by the German embassy in Colombia for consular services only.
Colombia recognized Latvia as an independent country after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

|||27 November 1991||See Latvia–Mexico relations

Latvia is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States, and maintains an honorary consulate in Mexico City.
Mexico is accredited to Latvia from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden and maintains an honorary consulate in Riga.

| || 1922-07-28

|See Latvia – United States relations

The U.S. Legation in Riga was officially established on November 13, 1922 and served as the headquarters for U.S. representation in the Baltics during the interwar era. The Soviet invasion forced the closure of the legation on September 5, 1940, but Latvian representation in the United States has continued uninterrupted for 85 years.
The U.S. Embassy in Latvia is located in Riga.

Asia

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"

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| || 22 August 1992

|See Armenia–Latvia relations

Armenia is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Warsaw (Poland).
Latvia is represented in Armenia through a non-resident ambassador based in Riga (at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and through an honorary consulate in Yerevan.
Latvia recognized the Armenian genocide in 2021.
Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Armenia

| ||1994-01-11||See Azerbaijan–Latvia relations

Azerbaijan has an embassy in Riga.
Latvia has an embassy in Baku.
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Both countries were former republics of the Soviet Union.
Azerbaijan recognized the independence of Latvia on 30 August 1991.
Latvia recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on 8 January 1992.
Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Azerbaijan

|||||See China–Latvia relations

China has an embassy in Riga.
Latvia has an embassy in Beijing.
In June 2020, Latvia openly opposed the Hong Kong national security law

| || 2004-10-15

Iraq recognized the independence of Latvia on January 1, 1992.
In 2005, a project entitled Latvian Government's Assistance to Iraq in the Documentation of Architectural and Archaeological Objects with Photogrammetric Methods was implemented.la
Latvia's participation in the Iraq War commenced in May 2003. At their peak the number of Latvian soldiers in Iraq was 126. They were withdrawn on November 8, 2008.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia: Iraq

| ||1992-01-06||See Israel–Latvia relations

Israel recognized Latvia's independence on September 4, 1991.
Israel has an embassy in Riga.
Latvia has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 2 honorary consulates (in Ashdod and Eilat).
There are 9,000 Jews living in Latvia (see History of the Jews in Latvia).
Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean.

|||10 October 1991||See Japan–Latvia relations

Latvia has an embassy in Tokyo.
Japan has an embassy in Riga.

| || 1992-12-30

|See Kazakhstan–Latvia relations

Kazakhstan recognised Latvia's independence on December 23, 1991.
Latvia recognised the independence of Kazakhstan on January 8, 1992.
Kazakhstan is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Vilnius (Lithuania) and though an honorary consulate in Riga.
Latvia has an embassy in Astana and an honorary consulate in Almaty.
Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Kazakhstan

|||1993-03-18

Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 18, 1993.
Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

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Latvia doesn't have any embassy in Malaysia. while Malaysian embassy in Helsinki is accredited to Latvia.

|||1991-10-22

|See Latvia–South Korea relations

The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Latvijas Republika began on 1991-10-22.

The two countries have good relations.
Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Lee Kyung-soo visited to the Latvia in December 2018 and attended a plaque-hanging ceremony of the Republic of Korea embassy in Riga which is the Republic of Korea's first permanent mission in the Baltic region and a reception to celebrate the opening of the embassy.
Latvian embassy and an Honorary Consuls in Seoul.
South Korean embassy in Latvia.

| ||1923||See Latvia–Taiwan relations

Both countries had relations from 1923 to 1991.
The Republic of China (Taiwan) never recognized the de jure incorporation of Latvia into the Soviet Union.

| ||1994-05-11

Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 11, 1994.
Albania is represented in Latvia by its embassy in Warsaw, Poland.
Both countries have a number of bilateral agreements.

| ||||

Austria has an embassy in Riga.
Latvia has an embassy in Vienna.
Both countries are full members of the European Union.

| ||||

Belgium is accredited to Latvia from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
Latvia has an embassy in Brussels.
Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

| ||1922-05-24, 1991-09-10||See Bulgaria–Latvia relations

Bulgaria is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Warsaw (Poland) and through an honorary consulate in Riga. Latvia is represented in Bulgaria through its embassy in Warsaw (Poland) and through an honorary consulate in Sofia. Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union.

| ||||See Foreign relations of Croatia

Croatia is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary).
Latvia is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Stockholm (Sweden).
Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

| ||||See Cyprus–Latvia relations

Cyprus is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Stockholm (Sweden).
Latvia is represented in Cyprus through its embassy in Athens (Greece).
Both countries are full members of the European Union.

| ||||

Czech Republic has an embassy in Riga.
Latvia has an embassy in Prague.
Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

| ||||See Denmark–Latvia relations

Denmark has an embassy in Riga.
Latvia has an embassy in Copenhagen.
Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

| ||1919-07-21, 1991-09-06||See Estonia–Latvia relations

Both states share a long common history: before 1918, they were both part of the Russian Empire.
They were both re-occupied by the USSR between 1945 and 1991. Both countries established diplomatic relations on January 3, 1992.
Estonia has an embassy in Riga. Latvia has an embassy in Tallinn.
The two states share 343 km of common borders.

| ||24 September 1919||See Finland–Latvia relations thumb|Prime Minister Sanna Marin met Latvia's Prime Minister [[Krišjānis Kariņš 12 February 2020]]

Finland recognised Latvia's independence de facto on September 24, 1919, and de jure on January 21, 1921.
Finland has an embassy in Riga.
Latvia has an embassy in Helsinki and four honorary consulates (in Åland, Satakunta, Kymenlaakso and Oulu).
Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the European Union, NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).

| ||1921-01-26, 1991-08-30||See France–Latvia relations

France has an embassy in Riga.
Latvia has an embassy in Paris.
Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

| ||||See Georgia–Latvia relations

| ||||See Germany–Latvia relations

Germany has an embassy in Riga.
Latvia has an embassy in Berlin.
Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

| ||||See Greece-Latvia relations

Greece has an embassy in Riga.
Latvia has an embassy in Athens.
Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

| ||||See Iceland–Latvia relations

Iceland was the first country to recognise the independence of Latvia in August 1991. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on August 22, 1991. 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.

| ||||

Italy has an embassy in Riga.
Latvia has an embassy in Rome.
Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

|||10 June 2008||See Kosovo–Latvia relations

Latvia recognized it on February 20, 2008. Latvian and Kosovan governments established diplomatic relations on June 10, 2008. However, Latvia's involvement in Kosovo date back to 2000 when it first sent peacekeeping troops.

| ||1991-10-05

|See Latvia–Lithuania relations

Latvia has an embassy in Vilnius.
Lithuania has an embassy in Riga.
The two states share of common border. Both countries are full members of the European Union.

| ||||

Luxembourg did not recognise the annexation of the Baltic States by the USSR in 1940–1991 either de jure or de facto.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were restored on April 21, 1992.
Latvia is represented in Luxembourg through its embassy in Brussel (Belgium) and through an honorary consulate in Luxembourg City. Luxembourg is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Warsaw (Poland) and through an honorary consulate in Riga.
Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union.

|||||

Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 1, 1992.
Poland has an embassy in Riga.
There are around 57,000 Poles living in Latvia.
Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, of NATO and of the European Union.
Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Poland

| ||||

Latvia is accredited to Portugal from its embassy in Dublin, Ireland.
Portugal is accredited to Latvia from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

| ||1922-01-03

Between June 2, 1922 – October 18, 1939, the diplomatic representation of Latvia in Romania was handled by the Latvian legation in Prague, in then neighbouring Czechoslovakia. In 1924, Latvia opened 3 honorary consulates in Romania (in Bucharest, Constanţa and Galaţi). In May 1929, Romania opened its legation in Riga.
On October 18, 1939, Latvia opened its legation in Bucharest.
Romania recognized Latvia on August 26, 1991.
Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on September 13, 1991.
Latvia is represented in Romania through its embassy in Warsaw (Poland).
Romania is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Vilnius (Lithuania) and an honorary consulate in Riga.
Both countries are full members of NATO, the European Union, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Romania

| ||1920-10-04 and again 1991-10-04||See Latvia–Russia relations

Until 1917, Latvia had been part of the Russian empire. Following the Latvian declaration of independence, war broke out between Latvia and the Russian SFSR.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were first established in 1920, following the conclusion of a Soviet-Latvian peace treaty on August 11, 1920. The treaty was ratified by the Latvian Constituent Assembly on September 2, and by the Latvian government on September 25. On the Russian side, it was ratified by the Pan Russian Central Executive Committee on September 9. Ratification letters were exchanged between the two governments in Moscow on October 4, the date on which in entered into effect. These relations lasted until the Soviet take over of Latvia in 1940.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian government recognized the independence of Latvia on August 24, 1991.
Russia expresses concern for how Latvia's language and naturalization laws effect Latvia's Russian-speaking population. Russians comprised 27.6% of the population in 2010. In turn, Latvia is interested in the welfare of ethnic Latvians still residing in Russia. The latest Russian census shows about 40,000 still living in Russia, but sources indicate that given the probability of an undercount, Latvians in Russia probably number about 50,000–60,000.

| ||2001-01-19||See Latvia–Serbia relations

Latvia has a non-resident ambassador in Riga (in the Foreign Ministry).
Serbia is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Stockholm (Sweden).
Latvia is an EU member and Serbia is an EU candidate.
Latvian Foreign Ministry about relations with Serbia
Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Latvia

| ||

Both countries established direct diplomatic relations on January 1, 1993. Latvia is represented in Slovakia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria). Slovakia has an embassy in Riga. Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union. Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins and his Slovak counterpart Eduard Kukan met in Riga in 2000.

| ||||See Latvia–Spain relations

Latvia has an embassy in Madrid.
Spain has an embassy in Riga.
Both countries are members of the European Union and NATO.

| ||||See Latvia–Sweden relations

Sweden recognized Latvia on 4 February 1921.

Sweden resumed diplomatic relations with Latvia on 28 August 1991.

Latvia has an embassy in Stockholm.
Sweden has an embassy in Riga.
Both countries are full members of the European Union, NATO and of the Council of Europe.

| ||12 February 1992

|See Latvia–Ukraine relations

Latvia has an embassy in Kyiv and 2 honorary consulates (in Lviv and Odesa).
Ukraine has an embassy in Riga and an honorary consulate in Ventspils.
There are around 92,000 Ethnic Ukrainians living in Latvia.
Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Ukraine

| ||5 September 1991

|See Latvia–United Kingdom relations

Latvia established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 5 September 1991.

Latvia maintains an embassy in London.
The United Kingdom is accredited to Lithuania through its embassy in Riga.

Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, International Criminal Court, Joint Expeditionary Force, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization.

Oceania

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"

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| ||21 November 1991||See Australia–Latvia relations

Australia is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden (since 1997) and an honorary consulate in Riga (since 1995).
Latvia has had an embassy in Canberra since October 2021, and also has honorary consulates in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.

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Foreign relations of Latvia

Multilateral

Diplomatic relations

Relations by country

Americas

Asia

Oceania

See also

References