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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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’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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Remarks by Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs At a Joint Press Availability

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 …

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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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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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Inaugural Address by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

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 …

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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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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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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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Remarks at the July 4 Independence Day Reception

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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NATOs Strength is in its Unity

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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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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Chargé D’Affaires Paul Poletes’ Remarks at Gunnar Birkerts Memorial Event

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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Remarks by Ambassador Pettit at Art in Embassies/PAO Welcome Reception

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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Remarks by Ambassador Pettit at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of Riga Regional District Ambulance Support Station ‘Centrs’ Vehicle Maintenance Garage

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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Remarks by Vice President Joe Biden at the National Library of Latvia

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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Remarks of CDA Sharon Hudson-Dean/Acting DCM at July 4th Gala

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 …

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Remarks by Charge d’Affaires Sharon Hudson-Dean at Human Development Awards Ceremony

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 …

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Remarks by Charge d’Affaires Sharon Hudson-Dean at AmCham Latvia Annual Meeting

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 …

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Remarks by Charge d’Affaires Sharon Hudson-Dean at New Year’s Concert and Reception to Mark the Start of the Latvian Presidency of the Council

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 …

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Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs : Press Conference

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 …

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U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Derek Chollet’s Remarks at the Joint Press conference with Defense Minist

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 …

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Readout of the Vice President’s Meeting with Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma of Latvia

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 …

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Remarks to the Press by Vice President Joe Biden, President Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania, and President Andirs Berzins of Latvia

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 …

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Women Play a Central Role in Peace

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 …

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Setting the Record Straight on Ukraine

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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