Latvia’s Parliament, the Saeima, approved Latvia’s 2007 national budget on Monday, November 28, forecasting budget revenues of EUR 8.066 billion and expenditures of EUR 8.367 billion next year.
“All people have the right to live in peace and security in their own country,” Latvian President Raimonds Vējonis declared during his address at the 71st session of the United Nations on September 21 in New York. Decisive political action to address and prevent conflicts that cause massive displacements and suffering is more urgent than ever before. The international community must find political solutions.”
On 25-26 August, Riga will host the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Baltic and Nordic countries in the NB8 format. Latvia will welcome the region’s representatives as the country coordinating the NB8 cooperation in 2016. The programme includes a reflection on cooperation in the region over the 25 years since the Baltic States regained their independence and a discussion on current developments in Europe as well as security issues in the region and beyond.
When drafting the state budget for the next year, efficient use of budgetary funds must be ensured so that necessary reforms in public administration would be continued, according to President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis.
Latvian President Raimonds Vējonis and the First Lady of Latvia, Iveta Vējone, had an audience with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday, July 19. During the audience, the President of Latvia invited Her Majesty to visit Latvia in 2018 for the celebration of Latvia’s centennial.
During a working visit to Riga, Canadian Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion met with Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs and the diplomats spoke together about the decisions made at NATO’s Warsaw Summit concerning the NATO battalion in Latvia in which Canada is the framework nation.
There are no direct indications that the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU would have a long-lasting impact on the economy and financial markets, said Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President of the European Commission, as reported by Latvian Radio.
The United Kingdom will remain an important ally and international partner to Latvia. Close relations will be maintained including in foreign affairs and security policy.
On Monday, June 27, the Legatum Institute’s Transitions Forum in London will host a screening of the documentary "The Master Plan", followed by a discussion and reception.
Latvian Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis met with His Eminence, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, State Secretary of the Holy See, on Thursday, May 12, in Rīga. During the meeting, the Prime Minister invited His Holiness Pope Francis to visit Latvia in 2018, when this country and the other Baltic States will be celebrating the centenary of their independence.