Latvian Ambassador Aivars Groza presents his credentials to the President of the State of Israel

On November 4, 2020, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to the State of Israel, Aivars Groza, presented his credentials to the President of the State of Israel, Reuven Rivlin. 

The President congratulated Aivars Groza on his posting as Ambassador of Latvia to Israel. The President and the Ambassador expressed their confidence in the dynamic development of bilateral relations and cooperation as well as in the development of relations with all three Baltic States and Israel.

Aivars Groza emphasized the need to intensify economic relations. The Ambassador emphasized the great contribution of Jews of Latvian origin to the strengthening of Latvia’s statehood, as well as to economic growth and development.President Rivlin commended what Latvia has been doing in for the sake of Holocaust remembrance and in educating people about the Holocaust, as well as Latvia’s strong stand against fundamentalism and anti-Semitism in the world.

President Rivlin also invited Egils Levits, the President of Latvia, to visit Israel next year.

The President of Israel recalled with satisfaction his visit to Latvia as Chairman of the Knesset in 2003, and the warm welcome he received.

Background information

Aivars Groza has served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Belgium, Austria, Slovenia, India and as a non-resident Ambassador to Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, as well as Consul General in St. Petersburg.

Aivars Groza is succeeding Elita Gavele, who was posted as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Israel on 7 November 2016.

Latvia and Israel enjoy friendly and active relations. A regular bilateral political dialogue is ongoing along with cooperation in culture, science and economic affairs. It is noteworthy that January 2022 will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Latvia and Israel.