The Permanent Representation of Latvia to the European Union represents and voices the interests of Latvia in the European institutions. The representation employs approximately 60 diplomats and experts from all the national ministries. They are responsible for the formulation and realization of Latvian policies and interests in committees and working groups of the Council of the EU. The Representation works closely with the other EU institutions – European Parliament, European Commission and other EU Member-States.
History of the Permanent Representation
In the beginning of the 1990s, the Latvian Diplomatic Representation in Brussels was situated in a small rented apartment on Place Vergote. It incorporated the embassies of Latvia in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg (the Benelux countries), as well as representations to the EU and NATO. Towards the mid-1990s, as the number of the Representation’s tasks and employees increased, it moved to a building in Avenue Moliere 158. In April 1997 the Latvian Representation to the EU was separated from the Benelux embassy and moved to Rue d’Arlon 39/41.
Since 2008 the present spacious and modern building in Avenue des Arts 23 houses both the Embassy in Belgium and the Permanent Representation of Latvia to the EU.
Key dates
- January 1992 – establishment of diplomatic relations between Latvia and the European Community
- December 1999 – Beginning of the accession to the EU negotiations
- April 2003 – Signature of the Accession Treaty
- May 2003 – Latvia gains observer status in the EU institutions
- 1st May 2004 – Latvia enters the EU
- 21st December 2007 – Latvia becomes part of the Schengen area abolishing internal EU border controls
- 1st January 2014 – Euro is introduced in Latvia
- 1st January - 30th June 2015 – Latvia holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time
List of Ambassadors/Permanent Representatives of Latvia to the EU
- 2021- present: Lelde LICE-LICITE, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Latvia to the EU
-
2016 – 2021: Sanita PAVLUTA-DESLANDES, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Latvia to the EU
-
2011 – 2016: Ilze JUHANSONE, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Latvia to the EU
- 2007 – 2011: Normunds POPENS, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Latvia to the EU
- 2004 – 2007: Eduards STIPRAIS, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Latvia to the EU
- 2003 – 2004: Andris KESTERIS, Interim Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (from 1st May 2004 – first Permanent Representative of Latvia to the EU)
- 1998 – 2003: Andris PIEBALGS, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- 1993 – 1998: Juris KANELS, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- 1992: Honorary Consul of Latvia in Belgium Niels DAHLMANN was appointed Temporary Charge d’Affaires of the Republic of Latvia to the European Community