Honorary Consuls of Latvia in Belgium and Luxembourg attended a meeting in Brussels organised by the Embassy of Latvia to Belgium

The annual meeting of Honorary Consuls of Latvia in Belgium and Luxembourg was held in Brussels on April 22, 2024.

During the meeting, Aiga Liepiņa, the Ambassador of Latvia to Belgium, introduced the Honorary Consuls with the Latvian Government's programme, priorities of Latvia's foreign policy, and the current and upcoming tasks of the Embassy. Particular emphasis was placed on measures to strengthen external and internal security of Latvia, support and assistance to Ukraine, transition of Latvia to a diverse use of green energy sources and related economic development in the regions, the overall macroeconomic situation in Latvia, as well as the European Parliament elections due in June. Egita Aizsilniece-Ibema, the Head of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) in Brussels, provided an overview of the priorities of the agency and practical LIAA support tools and contacts for companies in Latvia.

The Embassy staff and Honorary Consuls discussed how to best use contacts and resources available to them to strengthen cooperation between Belgium, Luxembourg, and Latvia. They discussed various ways to promote collaboration in areas such as economy, education, developing new transport corridors, and attracting investments to Latvia.

At the end of the meeting, the Ambassador gifted the Honorary Consuls a Latvian Art Museum book showcasing the cultural connections between Latvia and Belgium before World War II. The book tells about the historical context during the first half of the 20th century and close personal ties between Latvian and Belgian personalities. Thus, thanks to the cooperation of the first Latvian envoy to Belgium, Mr Jānis Lazdiņš, with the Belgian State Commissioner of Fine Art Exhibitions, Mr Paul Lambot, a considerable collection of Belgian art was gathered, which in 1932 was donated to Latvia and can currently be seen in the permanent exposition of the Art Museum Riga Bourse called "Belgian Art (1900- 1940)".

The Honorary Consuls are essential in promoting international economic and cultural relations. Several honorary consuls can operate in the same country, but each has its consular area. Honorary consuls of Latvia do not receive remuneration for performing their duties, and they perform their duties voluntarily.

Latvia has three Honorary Consuls in Belgium and Luxembourg: Dr Henri Diederich in Luxembourg, while Mr Christophe van Mechelen in Flanders and Ms Pascale Ruth in Wallonia are the Honorary Consuls of Latvia in Belgium.