Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Christopher Robinson 247th Independence Day Celebration

  Ambassador Christopher Robinson Thursday, June 29, 2023 U.S. Embassy in Latvia Dārgie draugi, laipni lūdzam! Paldies, ka atnācāt, lai kopā ar mums nosvinētu mūsu Neatkarības dienu!  [Dear friends, welcome!  Thank you for coming to celebrate our Independence Day with us!] Good afternoon ministers and excellencies, distinguished guests, friends.  Donka and I are honored to …

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Ambassador Christopher Robinson’s Address to Saeima Energy Forum

Saeima Energy Forum As prepared for delivery Riga, 22 May 2023 Thank you Chairman Kulbergs for the invitation to participate in this important discussion on the development of a sustainable energy strategy. Thank you, Minister Čudars and State Secretary Kurevska for providing this comprehensive overview on Latvia’s current energy situation. I commend the Saeima for …

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United States European Command Donation of Household Appliances and Beds to Provide Support to Ukrainian Refugees in Latvia

On Tuesday, May 2, U.S. Ambassador Christopher Robinson presented the Latvian government with 24 refrigerators and 24 washers. State Fire and Rescue Service Chief Colonel Mārtiņš Baltmanis and eight Latvian municipalities accepted the donation. The U.S. Embassy Office of Defense Cooperation worked with the Latvian State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), the lead governmental agency …

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U.S. Ambassador Christopher Robinson Presents Credentials to the President of the Republic of Latvia

Riga, February 21, 2023. – Christopher Robinson, the new U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia, presented his credentials to President of Latvia Egils Levits at Riga Castle on February 21. Statement from Ambassador Robinson: “I am honored to begin my work as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia. Latvia is our friend, partner, …

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Ambassador Carwile Remarks at the Opening of RFE/RL New Riga Office

Ambasssador John Carwile January 13, 2023 Latvian National Museum of Art, Riga Mr. President, Mr. Minister, Mr. Fly, distinguished guests; I am pleased to join you tonight for a celebration of freedom – the freedom to speak one’s mind, the freedom to hold our leaders accountable, and the freedom to tell the truth. For more …

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Ambassador Carwile Remarks on International Anti-Corruption Day

Speaker Smiltēns, Director Straume, Executive Director Tauriņa, Members of Saeima, Distinguished Guests: I am honored to join you today in marking International Anti-Corruption Day. The U.S. Embassy is pleased to continue our partnership with Delna and its tireless efforts to fight corruption and strengthen the rule of law in Latvia. I am glad to see …

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Ambassador John Carwile: Ukraine’s Six Months of Resistance, Resilience, and Resolve

August 30, 2022 Riga Ukraine, a country under attack by Russia since 2014, has now withstood half a year of massive bombings, sieges of cities, and atrocities against its people. Ukraine is fighting to defend not only its democracy, but its very survival as an independent country. August 24th marked the 31st anniversary of Ukraine’s …

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Ambassador John Carwile’s Remarks on America’s 246th Independence Day

Ambassador John Carwile July 6, 2022 Good afternoon ministers and excellencies, distinguished guests, friends. Karin and I welcome you to our celebration of America’s 246th Independence Day. It’s been two years since we last gathered – and in much smaller numbers – outside the American Embassy, and I’m glad that we can enjoy a more …

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U.S. Embassy-supported exhibition opens in Museum of the Occupation of Latvia

Riga, June 10, 2022 – U.S. Ambassador to Latvia John Carwile took part in the opening event for a new U.S. Embassy-supported exhibition at the Latvian Museum of Occupation: “The USA: A Safe Haven when the Homeland is Occupied, 1940-1991.” The exhibition is part of the Embassy’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of U.S.-Latvia diplomatic …

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Ambassador John Carwile visits Rēzekne

U.S. Ambassador to Latvia John Carwile paid a two-day visit to Rēzekne on March 22-23 affirm U.S. support for Latvia, build on longstanding U.S.-Rēzekne ties, and thank the community for its generous support for the people of Ukraine. Ambassador Carwile: “The effects of Putin’s war of choice are not restricted to Ukraine and Russia. This …

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Ambassador, Minister of Interior and State Border Guard Chief to Participate in the Handover Ceremony of U.S.-Funded Polaris All-Terrain Vehicles

Rīga, March 8, 2022 – Ambassador John Carwile, Minister of Interior Marija Golubeva and State Border Guard Chief General Guntis Pujāts will participate in a ceremony to mark the delivery of Polaris all-terrain vehicles financed by the U.S. Department of Defense. The ceremony will take place at the State Border Guard headquarters at 13:00 on …

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Diplomacy over War; Truth over Lies

Ambassador John Carwile February 1, 2022 The world is watching Russia’s pattern of unprovoked aggression toward Ukraine. Russia’s actions are a threat not only to Ukraine, but to Europe and to the international rules-based order. Our aims are simple. We stand with our allies and partners to support European cohesion, strengthen our transatlantic relationship, and …

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U.S. and Latvian Officials to Commemorate Completion of Renovation Project at State Fire and Rescue Service’s 2nd Division in Daugavpils

Riga, January 18, 2022 – U.S. Ambassador John Carwile, Minister of Interior Marija Golubeva, Chair of Daugavpils City Council Andrejs Elksniņš, and Chief of State Fire and Rescue Service General Oskars Āboliņš will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate completion of the 16th fire station renovation project between the U.S. government and the Latvian …

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United States European Command Donates Medical Equipment to State Emergency Medical Service to Support Latvia During COVID-19 Crisis

On Tuesday, November 16, U.S. Ambassador John Carwile presented the Latvian State Emergency Medical Service with eight mobile mechanical lung ventilators. The U.S. Embassy Office of Defense Cooperation worked with the Latvian Ministry of Health and State Emergency Medical Service (SEMS) to implement the project. The donation, totaling $216,000, was funded by the U.S. European …

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Ambassador John Carwile’s Remarks at the Celebration of 30th Anniversary of the Reopening of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Latvia

Ambassador John Carwile National Art Museum October 7, 2021 7:00 p.m. Good evening, friends! Thank you, Zinta, for your words of friendship, and I thank the American Chamber of Commerce for your enduring partnership—for tonight’s event, and so many others over the years. We have come a long way since my predecessor Ints Siliņš and …

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U.S. and Latvian Officials Commemorate Completion of Renovation Project at State Emergency Medical Service’s Kandava Medical Warehouse

U.S. Ambassador John Carwile, Chairman of Kandava and Parish Union Jānis Mazitāns, representatives of State Emergency Medical Service (SEMS), representatives of U.S. European Command and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate completion of the cooperation project between the U.S. and the Latvian State Emergency Medical Service (SEMS) on Wednesday, …

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Ambassador Carwile’s Remarks at 9/11 20th Anniversary Commemoration at Washington Square

Ambassador John Carwile Saturday, September 11, 2021, 15:32, Three Minutes Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs, Defense Minister Pabriks, Mayor Staķis, and honored guests. On behalf of the United States of America, I would like to express our gratitude for your presence at this twentieth anniversary commemoration of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Twenty years ago on this …

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United States European Command Donates Medical Equipment to State Emergency Medical Service to Support Latvia During COVID-19 crisis

On Friday, March 19, U.S. Ambassador John Carwile presented the Latvian government with two single-patient isolation and transport systems. Minister of Health Daniels Pavļuts accepted the donation on behalf of the Latvian government. The U.S. Embassy Office of Defense Cooperation worked with the Latvian Ministry of Health and State Emergency Medical Service (SEMS) to implement …

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Statement by Ambassador John Carwile in Honor of the Barricades

On January 13, 1991, tens of thousands of Latvians peacefully took to the streets of Riga to erect barricades and defend Latvia’s fledgling independent, democratic institutions in the face of threats from Soviet forces. Seven Latvians lost their lives during the tense two-week standoff, but the Soviets failed to intimidate the defenders and ultimately withdrew …

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Statement by Ambassador Carwile

January 13, 2021. On January 13, 1991, tens of thousands of Latvians peacefully took to the streets of Riga to erect barricades and defend Latvia’s fledgling independent, democratic institutions in the face of threats from Soviet forces. Seven Latvians lost their lives during the tense two-week standoff, but the Soviets failed to intimidate the defenders …

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Joint Message on International Anti-Corruption Day

On December 9, 2020 to mark International Anti-Corruption Day, U.S. Ambassador to Latvia John Carwile joined President of Latvia Egils Levits, several Latvian state officials, other ambassadors, and a Latvian civil society representative in a video message emphasizing how corruption undermines sovereignty and security. The video also emphasizes the importance of allies working together to …

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Ambassador Carwile And Minister Pabriks Open Special Operations Base in Riga

On November 25, 2020, Ambassador Carwile, together with Latvian Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks, and Chief of Defense Lieutenant General Leonīds Kalniņš participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly-built Special Operations Unit base in Riga. U.S. European Command (EUCOM) European Defense Initiative provided 3.7 million USD for the project. The new infrastructure, which includes …

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Ambassador Carwile Presents Personal Protective Equipment to Latvian Government

Riga, November 17, 2020 — U.S. Ambassador John Carwile presented the Latvian Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Defense with $135,000 worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) yesterday for use in the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation from the United States includes 14,000 isolation gowns and 13,500 coveralls. These items have been challenging to procure …

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Statement from U.S. Ambassador John Carwile on U.S. Presidential Election

Ambassador John Carwile November 3, 2020 The 2020 U.S election campaign cycle ends today against the backdrop of a global pandemic, high early voter turnout, and intense interest across the United States.  Following the traditions of our democracy, candidates around the country have made their case to the American people, journalists have freely reported on …

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Remarks to U.S. Exchange Alumni, September 24, 2020

Ambassador John Carwile September 24, 2020 University of Latvia Botanical Garden Good evening everyone. Thank you for joining us. I am glad to see so many embassy alumni and friends here tonight. I am also especially grateful that we are able to hold this event after it was postponed due to the Covid-19 restrictions earlier …

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Embassy donates 4,000 tests and lab equipment to Latvian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Health

Riga, June 12, 2020 — U.S. Ambassador John Carwile presented the Latvian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Health with two tranches of COVID-19 test-kits and associated lab equipment, supporting 4,000 tests. The United States’ contribution (approximately $200,000) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) solidarity fund financed the tests, which will bolster Latvia’s …

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United States European Command, U.S. Embassy, and Latvian Ministry of Defense work together to supply sanitizer and gloves to schools in Latvia

Riga, June 1, 2020 — U.S. Ambassador John Carwile presented the Latvian Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health with one thousand liters of hand sanitizers produced by the Latvian company AS Spodrība and 22,500 pairs of non-sterile disposable gloves on May 30. Minister of Health Ilze Viņķele and Ministry of Education and Science …

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United States European Command in cooperation with U.S. Embassy Riga donates sanitizer to Latvian State Emergency Medical Services

Riga, May 18, 2020 – U.S. Ambassador John Carwile presented Latvian State Emergency Medical Service (SEMS) with 3,660 liters of hand and surface sanitizers totaling $15,000 and produced by the Latvian company “AS Spodrība” on May 15. Director of the State Emergency Medical Services Liene Cipule accepted the donation on behalf of the Latvian government. …

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Remarks at the Opening of the U.S. Information Center in Daugavpils

Ambassador John Carwile January 22, 2020 Daugavpils Good evening. It is an honor to make my first trip to Daugavpils as the U.S. Ambassador to Latvia and I’m especially pleased to inaugurate our new American Space location. For the past 15 years, we have engaged with the community in Latgale to promote educational and cultural …

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Anti-Corruption Day: Recognizing Latvia’s Efforts to Fight Money Laundering

Ambassador John L. Carwile December 4, 2019 Since my arrival in November as the United States Ambassador, Latvians have proven to be welcoming, gracious, and committed partners of the United States. Next week, we commemorate International Anti-Corruption Day, and what better way to mark the day than to review Latvia’s progress over the past year. …

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Address at the Celebrations of the 242nd Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America

Ambassador Nancy Bikoff Pettit July 12, 2018 National Library of Latvia Labdien, good afternoon ministers and excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the United States Embassy’s celebration of the 242nd year of America’s independence. Every year on the July 4th holiday, Americans reflect on what our country stands for: the ideals that are …

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World AIDS Day

Ambassador Nancy Bikoff Pettit Op-Ed Delfi.lv  December 1, 2017 In June 1981, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report describing cases of a rare lung infection in five young, previously healthy, gay men in Los Angeles.  The report described other unusual infections in the men, indicating that their immune systems …

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