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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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 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 …
Read More» U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release March 7, 2022 FOREIGN MINISTER RINKĒVIČS: (Via Interpreter) Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. And indeed, today I had the honor to welcome my U.S. counterpart here in the National Museum of Latvia, Mr. Blinken. When we met last time in December, when the foreign …
Read More» Interview Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Atta Center Riga, Latvia December 1, 2021
Read More» Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Atta Center Riga, Latvia December 1, 2021
Read More» Remarks by Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Ministry of Foreign Affairs Riga, Latvia November 30, 2021
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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 …
Read More» 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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January 20, 2021 THE PRESIDENT: Chief Justice Roberts, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice President Pence, distinguished guests, and my fellow Americans. This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope. Of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for the ages America has been tested anew …
Read More» 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 …
Read More» 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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Ambassador John Carwile July 2, 2020 Riga Good afternoon ministers and excellences, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the United States Embassy’s celebration of America’s 244th Independence Day. This has been an unusual year – and we still have another six months to go. When our team discussed whether to hold a reception this …
Read More» Chargé d’Affaires Paul Poletes Remarks at ForbesClub Event Friday, January 24 at 4 p.m. at the Pullman Hotel Good afternoon. Thank you to Forbes Latvija for inviting me to speak with you today and for the kind introduction. Before the keynote session today about what to expect in the future of financial markets, I’d like …
Read More» 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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Ambassador Nancy Bikoff Pettit June 26, 2019 Good afternoon ministers and excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the United States Embassy’s celebration of America’s 243rd Independence Day. We are honored by your presence here today. In the hourglass of history, 243 years may seem like a brief moment in time, but as we …
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Nancy Bikoff Pettit U.S. Ambassador to Latvia The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is the most successful alliance in history. Over the past 70 years, NATO has helped to create the most secure, stable, and prosperous period in its members’ history. From deterring the Soviet Union during the Cold War to countering the hybrid threats …
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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 …
Read More» 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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National Library of Latvia September 6 at 3:00 p.m. Distinguished guests, friends of the National Library, ladies and gentlemen. Good afternoon. I would like to thank National Library Director Andris Vilks for extending the privilege of speaking at this special event today as we celebrate the life and achievements of Gunnars Birkerts. It is an …
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September 20, 2016 Augsti godātie viesi un draugi, man ir patiess gods būt šovakar šeit – Sveicam! [Distinguished guests and friends, I am truly honored to stand before you tonight – Welcome!] I am thrilled to share with you tonight the official opening of the “Art in Embassies” exhibit at my new residence. For over …
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Distinguished guests and friends; it is an honor to be here with you today. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak as we celebrate the completed construction of this vehicle maintenance garage for the State Emergency Medical Service’s Riga Regional District Ambulance Support Station “Centrs.” The United States is proud of the fact …
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The White House Office of the Vice President For Immediate Release August 24, 2016 National Library of Latvia Riga, Latvia 6:10 P.M. (Local) THE VICE PRESIDENT: That’s a graceful entrance. (Laughter.) I say to — I don’t often get to speak to three Presidents, twice in one day in the same room. I want to …
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Riga, July 5, 2016 Good afternoon, what a great day to be here in Latvia and to welcome the USS Mount Whitney to Rīga. Generals, Admiral Vizulis, Mayors, distinguished guests, members of the Latvian-American community, thank you for taking the time to attend today’s reception. We are honored by your presence. Captain Sardiello, thank you …
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Riga, June 30, 2016 Ministers, Members of the Saeima, excellencies, distinguished guests, good friends, ladies and gentlemen: Labvakar. Thank you for joining us in celebrating the 240th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. Two and a half centuries ago, our own new, small, country was launched based on the dream of …
Read More» Riga, January 9, 2015 [As prepared for delivery.] It was our great honor and pleasure to have you here today as you begin your tenure as new members of the Saeima and as Latvia formally kicks off its presidency of the Council of the European Union. As Professor Auers expertly explained earlier today, the U.S. …
Read More» 2 July 2015, 6:00 PM Ministers, Members of the Saeima, excellencies, distinguished guests, good friends, ladies and gentlemen: Labdien. Thank you for joining us in celebrating the birthday of the United States of America. This year marks the 239th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, a document that not only influenced and …
Read More» Riga, April 17, 2015 [As prepared for delivery.] Minister, Ms. Šteinbuka (Head of the European Commission Representation in Latvia), AmCham President Kākulis (President of AmCham), members of the American Chamber of Commerce, and distinguished guests, good evening. I am delighted to be here for the Human Development Awards ceremony and want to thank all of …
Read More» Riga, May 19, 2015 Mercure Hotel, Riga It is my great honor to stand before you again as TechCamp Riga comes to a close. While I know it has been a busy (and perhaps exhausting) two days for you, I can feel the energy radiating through the room. You have learned new skills, built networks, …
Read More» Riga, March 12, 2015 [As prepared for delivery.] Thank you, Matīss, for that kind introduction; I would like to express my personal appreciation for your outstanding efforts to strengthen Latvia-U.S. relations, expand trade and investment, and promote mutual understanding between our two countries during your term as President. The past year has been one of …
Read More» Riga, January 7, 2015 [As prepared for delivery.] Excellencies, guests, and friends — good evening and welcome. I’d like to offer everyone a Happy New Year! (Laimīgu Jauno Gadu!) and for those who are celebrating Christmas tonight, Merry Christmas (С Рождеством! / S Rozhdestvom!) Before we get started tonight, I would like to state that …
Read More» November 20, 2014 Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister Rinkēvičs: [Through Interpreter]. Good morning ladies and gentlemen. It seems that during this intense week of work I meet with you two or three times a day and that’s due to the fact that we are about to assume the presidency. There are also various regional …
Read More» Riga, October 29, 2014 This is my first visit to Latvia, and I am already very impressed with your hospitality and the beauty and history of Riga. I am also impressed with the seriousness of your commitment to NATO and its ideals of freedom, human rights, free market economies, democracy, and collective security. Minister Vejonis …
Read More» Riga, October 8, 2014 By Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Sharon Hudson-Dean Hello, and welcome everyone. Thank you to Evelyne for that warm introduction, and to ILGA-Europe for hosting us today The United States is so happy to partner with ILGA, as we work together to advance the human rights of LGBT persons. And a special thank …
Read More» August 22, 2014 WHITE HOUSE On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, we congratulate the people of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the 25th anniversary of The Baltic Way. Today, we remember that as many as two million people joined hands on August 23, 1989 to form a human chain …
Read More» April 29, 2014 THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Vice President Vice President Biden met today with Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma in the White House. The Vice President underscored the United States’ ironclad commitment to the collective defense of our NATO Allies under Article 5. Prime Minister Straujuma thanked the United States for its …
Read More» March 19, 2014 Presidential Palace Vilnius, Lithuania 1:20 P.M. (Local) PRESIDENT GRYBAUSKAITE: (As interpreted.) Good afternoon. So today we had an important meeting with U.S. Vice President Biden and Latvian President Berzins. With our partners, we discussed the situation in Ukraine and its impact on the security of the Baltic States and Europe as a …
Read More» John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State International Women’s Day is more than a moment marked on a calendar. It is a day not just to renew our determination to make the world a more peaceful and prosperous place – but to recognize that a world where opportunities for women grow, is a world where the …
Read More» March 6, 2014 Claim: We need to return to the February 21 agreement, which the opposition failed to implement. Response: As part of the agreement, the Ukrainian Parliament (the Rada) passed a bill to return Ukraine to the 2004 Constitution. Under the terms of the agreement, Yanukovych had 24 hours to sign this legislation, after …
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