Foreign relations of Latvia

The foreign relations of Latvia are primarily managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The modern Republic of Latvia considers itself a continuation of the 1918–1940 Latvian state. After declaring the restoration of full independence on August 21, 1991, Latvia joined the United Nations on September 17, 1991, and has since become a signatory to numerous UN organizations and international agreements.

Latvia actively pursues deeper integration and cooperation with NATO, the European Union (EU), the OECD, and other Western organizations. It also seeks to expand its role in UN peacekeeping missions worldwide.

Latvia is a member of several international organizations, including:

Council of Europe (CoE)
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
International Criminal Court (ICC)
World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
North Atlantic Coordinating Council (NACC)
CERCO

In a nationwide referendum on September 20, 2003, Latvians voted in favor of joining the European Union. Latvia officially became an EU member state on May 1, 2004.^[1] It also joined NATO on March 29, 2004.^[2]

On April 11, 2024, Latvia signed a 10-year security agreement with Ukraine.^[3]

^ "Referendum on Latvia joining EU | Centrālā vēlēšanu komisija". www.cvk.lv. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
^ "Latvia and NATO". Aizsardzības ministrija. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
^ https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-latvia-sign-security-agreement-zelenskiy-says-2024-04-11/ ^{[bare URL]}

[1] "Referendum on Latvia joining EU | Centrālā vēlēšanu komisija". www.cvk.lv. Retrieved April 5, 2020.

[2] "Latvia and NATO". Aizsardzības ministrija. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2020.

[3] ttps://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-latvia-sign-security-agreement-zelenskiy-says-2024-04-11/ ^{[bare URL]}

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