Latvia in the spotlight at the Annual Celebrations of the Consular Corps of the Province of Liège

On 4 December this year, the annual festive evening of the Consular Corps of the Province of Liège took place in the Hall of the Royal Philharmonic of Liège and was this year dedicated to Latvia. Ambassador Aiga Liepiņa was the guest of honour in the event, and our country was the focus of the festive addresses as well as represented in the musical programme of the evening. In addition to representatives of the diplomatic and consular corps, the event was attended by the Governor of the Province of Liège, Hervé Jamar, as well as representatives of academic circles, military and cultural institutions, and local municipal authorities.

In his address, the President of the Consular Corps of Liège, Bernard Piette, highlighted the long-standing cooperation between Latvia and Belgium, recalling that Belgium never recognised the forced incorporation of the Baltic States into the USSR and that in 1921 it was one of the first five countries to recognise the independence of the Latvian state. He also underlined Latvia’s importance in regional cooperation, referring to the long-term impact of the cooperation agreement signed in 2002 between the Walloon Region, the French Community of Belgium and the Republic of Latvia, and noted: “This agreement paved the way for a long-term partnership in the fields of culture, education, youth, research and innovation. Latvia’s presence here in Liège today is proof that this cooperation is not only continuing, but growing.”

The General Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Liège, Aline Sam-Giao, emphasised Latvia’s contribution to Europe’s intellectual and artistic space. As part of the concert programme, a piano work by a Latvian composer was performed.

The Ambassador of Latvia to Belgium, Aiga Liepiņa, in her address emphasised Latvia’s unwavering belonging to Europe not only geopolitically, but also within the cultural sphere, and the importance of people-to-people ties in strengthening European unity: “The European idea is fulfilled when we are in mutual interaction at all levels. Europe is not only about grand political ideas and major joint projects, but also about contacts and relationships between people. That is precisely why I am delighted to be here this evening, to meet with you and to tell you about my country.”

Special thanks were expressed to Latvia’s Honorary Consul, Pascale Ruth, for her contribution to promoting Latvia’s visibility in the Walloon Region and for her support to the Embassy of Latvia in its daily work, including in the area of expanding contacts.

The musical part of the evening consisted of a short concert, followed by an informal dinner.

A bilateral cooperation agreement has been concluded between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the French Community of Belgium and the Walloon Region, signed in Riga on 12 July 2002. The cooperation framework document between the Republic of Latvia and Wallonia-Brussels defines the priority areas of cooperation between the parties, as well as the procedures and forms for the implementation of this cooperation.

Photo: Michel Houet