On Friday, 31 January, Latvian and foreign Honorary Consuls, including from Australia, South America and Africa, visited Riga City Hall and met with Vice-Mayor Linda Ozola. During the meeting, the officials discussed attracting new investments to the capital city of Latvia and promoting tourism, as well as opportunities to continue to support Ukraine in its difficult struggle against the aggressor.
"No matter how far your country is from Russia's instigated war in Ukraine, these events affect us all. Russia is disrupting the rules-based international order, impeding global economic growth and fuelling conflicts in different regions of the world. I therefore invite everyone to support Ukraine decisively, diplomatically, economically and militarily, so that a just peace can be achieved and the aggressor confronted with the consequences of its actions," emphasised L. Ozola.
Possible cooperation methodologies were discussed with foreign Honorary Consuls, which could provide them with more opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Riga and the countries they represent. L. Ozola invited the Honorary Consuls to actively cooperate with the local government of the capital of Latvia and the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency, which presented investment opportunities in the capital during the meeting.
The Association "Consular Corps of Honorary Consuls in Latvia" was established with the aim to unite foreign Honorary Consuls in Latvia to promote better understanding and application of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24 April 1963; to establish a network for the exchange of information between Honorary Consuls; to promote cooperation between Honorary Consuls; and to promote cooperation with Ministries of Foreign Affairs in sending countries and Ministries of Foreign Affairs in receiving countries. It was established in Latvia on 21 January 2015.
Members of the Association are consular representatives accredited in Latvia from various European, American and Asia-Pacific countries. Typically, the countries represented do not have an embassy in Latvia, so they rely on the Honorary Consul to represent their interests in Latvia.
Foreign Honorary Consuls are entrusted with national and consular functions, representing the interests of their country in Latvia. There are currently 22 foreign Honorary Consuls in Latvia.
The Association is a member of the World Federation of Honorary Consuls and is a participant in the Nordic-Baltic Consular Forum, signing the Second Christiansholm Declaration.
Information was prepared by: Mārtiņš Vilemsons, Project Coordinator at External Communication Division of Riga City Council Communication Department, email: martins.vilemsons@riga.lv.
