Agency Name: | Republic of Latvia Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
Nativename: | Latvijas Republikas Ārlietu ministrija |
Picture Width: | 200 |
Picture Caption: | Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Riga |
Formed: | 1918 (Suspended operations between 1940 and 1991, though not in UK, USA and Sweden) |
Jurisdiction: | Government of Latvia |
Headquarters: | K. Valdemara street 3, Riga |
Chief1 Name: | Baiba Braže |
Chief1 Position: | Minister of Foreign Affairs |
Chief2 Name: | Andris Pelšs |
Chief2 Position: | State Secretary |
Chief3 Name: | Dace Melbārde |
Chief3 Position: | Parliamentary Secretary |
Child1 Agency: | Latvijas Institūts |
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Latvian: Latvijas Republikas Ārlietu ministrija) is responsible for maintaining the Republic of Latvia's external relations and the management of its international diplomatic missions. The current Minister of Foreign Affairs is Baiba Braže.
The ministry directs Latvia's affairs with foreign entities, including bilateral relations with individual nations and its representation in international organizations, including the United Nations, European Union, Council of Europe, NATO, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization, and its participation in the Schengen Area. It oversees visas, cooperation with expatriates, international human rights policy, transatlantic defense policy and various global trade concerns. The ministry also contributes to Latvia's international trade and economic development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economics (Latvia) and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia.[1]
The Inspector General for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia is appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The current Inspector General for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia is Normans Penke.
Inspector General | Dates served |
---|---|
Indulis Bērziņš | 2013 – 2015 |
Māris Riekstiņš | 2015 – 2017 |
Normans Penke | 2017 – Incumbent |
See main article: List of ministers for foreign affairs of Latvia.