Iceland–Latvia relations

Iceland–Latvia relations
Map indicating locations of Iceland and Latvia

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.[1] 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.[citation needed] The early settlers of both Iceland and Latvia were pagans before being christianized from the 11th century onward.[citation needed]

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.[2]

In 2006, Icelandair acquired LatCharter Airlines.[3][4]

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.[1]

High level visits

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Latvian Ambassador to Iceland Named". Latvia. Retrieved 2009-05-31. .
  2. ^ "Agreement between Latvia and Iceland on Co-operation in the Field of Tourism signed". Latvia. Archived from the original on 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
  3. ^ "Loftleidir Icelandic acquires a minority stake in LatCharter Airlines". Alacra. Archived from the original on 2012-08-26. Retrieved 2009-11-26. …
  4. ^ "SmartLynx Airlines". SmartLynx Airlines. Archived from the original on 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2009-11-26. Smartlynx is a subsidiary company in the Icelandair Group.
  5. ^ "President Zatlers meets with the Foreign Minister of Iceland". Government of Latvia. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2009-11-26. .
  6. ^ "The Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, HE Mrs Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, made an official working visit to Latvia September 8–9". Europrojects. Archived from the original on 2010-07-10. Retrieved 2009-11-26. .
  7. ^ "PMs to meet". Ross Business. 2006. Retrieved 2009-05-31. .
  8. ^ Icelandic premier compares Latvia to rising tide (May 25, 2000). LETA.
  9. ^ "Latvian, Icelandic presidents discuss cooperation, NATO expansion". LETA. April 19, 1999. Retrieved 2009-11-26. he ...