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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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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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, …
Read More» Call for Proposals: Complementary Response Small Grants Program (CRSGP) FY 2023 U.S. Embassy Riga in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs is pleased to welcome proposals for the Complementary Response Small Grants Program (CRSGP) from potential partners working to assist Ukrainian refugees in Latvia. This support is meant …
Read More» 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 …
Read More» Riga, October 7, 2022 – The U.S. government will provide Latvia with an estimated $200 million in security assistance and security cooperation funding in Fiscal Year 2022. This includes over $145 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to strengthen Latvian security and military interoperability. The latest FMF package, which received final approval by the U.S. …
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Riga, August 5, 2022 – On August 4, U.S. Ambassador to Latvia John Carwile, Latvian Air Force Lt. Col. Viesturs Masulis and Under Secretary of State for Logistics Latvian Ministry of Defense Mārtiņš Paškēvičs participated in an official unveiling ceremony for a U.S.-funded Fire Station at the Lielvārde Air Force Base. Construction of the $2 …
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Official Trivia Contest Rules Social media contest to win invites for a concert of U.S. musician Clark Beckham at the Rīgas Ritmi Festival. Contest Sponsors «Social media contest to win invites for a U.S. musician Clark Beckham at the Rīgas Ritmi Festival » is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, «Embassy Riga, Latvia» and Rīgas …
Read More» 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 …
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» 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 …
Read More» Interview 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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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 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 John Carwile October 5, 2021 Delfi Thirty years ago this week, Chargé d’Affaires Ints Siliņš and a small team of American diplomats set up our new diplomatic mission in room 503 of the Hotel Ridzene, more than half a century after Soviet occupiers forced the closure of the American Legation in Latvia. The United …
Read More» 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, …
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 …
Read More» Riga, July 6, 2021 – The United States Embassy in Riga is proud to support the photography exhibit “My America,” a retrospective of U.S. culture and life by noted photographer and writer Gordon F. Sander. Mr. Sander and U.S. Embassy Cultural Attaché Rebecca Satterfield will participate in the exhibition opening on Wednesday, July 7 at …
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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 …
Read More» Join the virtual Latvian Delegation June, 7-11 2021 Industry-Specific Road Trips To Every Virtual Corner Of The U.S. Investor’s Academy SelectUSA Tech The SelectUSA Investment Summit is the highest-profile FDI-event hosted by the U.S. Government for qualified international companies from all industries and sizes considering establishing or expanding in the United States. The Summit brings …
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Thirty years ago I was honored to lead a Congressional delegation to Latvia and other Baltic states in a moment of uncertainty and peril for democracy and self-determination. In Riga I saw firsthand the yearning for freedom after decades of Soviet occupation and communist rule. I was proud to bring the well wishes of the …
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The United States and Latvia: Looking Ahead to 2021 Riga, January 28, 2021 – Dārgie draugi! As we move forward in the new year and President Biden begins his work, I am optimistic about our alliance as democratic, freedom-loving nations. Strong, bipartisan support for Latvia and NATO will continue under the Biden administration, and I’m …
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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 …
Read More» November 18, 2020 – “On behalf of the United States of America, I send congratulations to the Latvian people as you celebrate the 102nd anniversary of your independence. The United States and Latvia enjoy a strong bond based on our shared values and commitment to defending our liberty and freedom as NATO Allies. Thank you …
Read More» 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 …
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 …
Read More» 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 …
Read More» 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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The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce a series of video contests to showcase Latvia’s creativity during this period of social distancing and to highlight the best in U.S.—Latvian relations. We invite you to use creativity, imagination, and any compatible online media (video, photo, art, etc..) to produce a vision of the Riga skyline a …
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 …
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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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Riga, June 13, 2019 – Today, Nancy Pettit, United States Ambassador to Latvia, will honor this year’s exchange program recipients for the Fulbright, Humphrey, Benjamin Franklin fellowships, and The Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA), as well as the Studies of the United States Institute (SUSI), Baltic American Freedom Foundation Fellowships. Fulbright fellowships are being …
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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 …
Read More» Nancy Bikoff Pettit U.S. Ambassador to Latvia December 9, 2018 Latvia and the United States have been close friends and partners for 100 years. We stood by the Latvian people throughout the darkest hours of the Soviet occupation. Today, we celebrate with you all you have accomplished. At your Centennial, you stand as a proud, …
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Riga, November 16, 2018 – To honour the centenary of Latvia, the The United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Band will take part in the parade of Latvian National Armed Forces in Riga on November 18. The orchestra will also perform a concert in Jumprava Culture House on November 19 at 16:00. Entrance to …
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Riga, November 1, 2018 – The United States Embassy in Latvia is pleased to announce the opening of an exhibit titled “Celebrating the Centennials of Baltic Independence and U.S.-Baltic Relations.” The exhibit will be displayed at the National Library of Latvia’s atrium (Mūkusalas street 3, 1st floor) on November 1. The exhibit will be open …
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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» Riga, May 8, 2018 – The United States Embassy in Riga, along with the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation (BAFF) and the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia (AmCham) have established the Latvian-American Innovation Award. The Innovation Award partnership also includes TechHub Riga and the Latvian StartUp Association. As an effort to promote entrepreneurship, research-driven innovation, and …
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Riga, January 29, 2018 – U.S. Ambassador Nancy Pettit, Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of Interior Evika Siliņa, Mayor of Jelgava Andris Rāviņš, representatives of State Fire and Rescue Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate completion of the 12th cooperation project between the U.S. and the Latvian …
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Riga, August 11, 2017 – The United States European Command (EUCOM), in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Riga, U.S. Air National Guard, the Latvian National Armed Forces and the “Mēs esam līdzās” Rehabilitation Center have completed a humanitarian-civic assistance (HCA) project at the “Mēs esam līdzās” Rehabilitation Center. To mark the conclusion of the project …
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Riga, June 26, 2017 – The United States European Command (USEUCOM), in partnership with U.S. Embassy Riga, U.S. Air National Guard, and the Latvian National Armed Forces, will hold a kick-off ceremony on June 27 at 15:00 to mark the beginning of the renovation at “Mēs esam līdzās” Rehabilitation Center. The humanitarian-civic assistance (HCA) project …
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Riga, July 28, 2016 – Riga, July 28, 2016 – Ambassador Nancy Pettit will visit Cēsis today to meet with Mayor Janis Rozenbergs and local business leaders. During her visit, Ambassador Pettit will tour some of the city’s cultural attractions as well as the Institute for Environmental Solutions.
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Riga, July 19, 2016 – The U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James departed Riga Sunday following meetings with Latvian Ministry of Defense officials to discuss Latvia’s role in the Baltic Air Policing mission as well as its contributions to Operation Atlantic Resolve. Following her meetings, Secretary James said, “I had very enlightening …
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