Belgium recognised Latvia on 26 January 1921. During the inter-war period, Latvia was represented in Brussels by a Consul General from 1924. In 1927, the Consulate General was established as the Latvian Embassy under the leadership of Ambassador Jānis Lazdiņš.
HISTORY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
Belgium recognised the Latvian state on 26 January 1921. During the inter-war period, Latvia was represented in Brussels by a Consul General from 1924. In 1927, the Consulate General was established as the Latvian Embassy under the leadership of Ambassador Jānis Lazdiņš. Dr Miķelis Valters served as Latvia's envoy to Belgium from 1937 to 1940. Belgium was among the countries that did not recognise Latvia's incorporation into the Soviet Union. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were restored on 5 September 1991. Latvia is also represented in Belgium by Honorary Consul Christophe van Mechelen, and in Latvia by Honorary Consul Didzis Gavars.
As of 1 August 2019, the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Residence at the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in the Kingdom of Belgium has been reinstated.
The Belgian Embassy in Latvia was opened in 2004 and remained open until 24 July 2015. Currently, the non-resident Belgian Embassy in Latvia is located in Stockholm.
ECONOMIC COOPERATION
The Bank of Latvia is the central bank of the Republic of Latvia. The Bank of Latvia develops, compiles, analyses and disseminates statistical information, including, inter alia, financial statistics, banknote statistics, payment and payment systems statistics, financial stability statistics, balance of payments statistics and international investment position statistics.
Latvias Investment and Development Agency (LIAA)
Labs of Latvia
Ministry of Economics
Ministry of Transport
COOPERATION IN EDUCATION
In 2021, both the Benelux and the Baltic countries signed an agreement that allow individuals from these countries to have their higher education diplomas mutually recognised. The multinational agreement means that anyone graduating from an educational institution in Belgium, the Netherlands or Luxembourg will have their qualifications automatically recognised by institutions and employers in the Baltic countries, and vice versa.