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EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:
Ambassador: Andrejs PILDEGOVICS
Embassy: 2306 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 328-2840].
FAX: (202) 726-6785

US Diplomatic Representation:
Ambassador: Judith Garber
Embassy: Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga, Latvia
Mailing address: PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723
Telephone: [371] (7) 036-200
Fax: [371] (7) 820-047

Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Latvia

Embassy of Latvia Washington, D.C
Embassy of Latvia in Ottawa, Canada
U.S Embassy Web Site in Latvia


FOREIGN RELATIONS

After regaining its independence, Latvia began to work at reintegrating into the West. In 1991, Latvia joined the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and became a member of the United Nations (UN). It is party to a number of UN organizations as well as other international agreements including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank. Since 2004, Latvia has been an active member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU).

Latvia has emerged as a significant international player, supporting peace and democracy world-wide. Per capita, it is one of the largest contributors to international military operations. It has deployed troops to Iraq, Afghanistan, Georgia, and the Balkans. It also works closely with the U.S. and the EU to support and promote democracy in the former Soviet Union states of Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and Georgia. A testament to the close relationship between the U.S. and Latvia is the fact that President George W. Bush visited the country twice, the second time to attend the NATO Summit held in Riga on November 28-29, 2006.

Russia has expressed concern over how Latvia's language and naturalization laws affect Latvia's Russian-speaking population. Ethnic Russians comprised 28% of the population in 2010. In turn, Latvia is interested in the welfare of ethnic Latvians still residing in Russia. Latvia and Russia signed a border treaty agreement in March 2007. It was ratified by both sides and went into effect at the end of 2007.

Latvia maintains embassies in the United States, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, the People's Republic of China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan. It also operates missions to the United Nations in New York City and Geneva, the European Council, the European Union, the Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation Organization, NATO, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the World Trade Organization, UNESCO, and the UN Council on Food and Agriculture.

Latvia has a Consulate General in Russia; Consulates in Belarus and Russia; Honorary Consulates General in Brazil, Denmark, Italy, Cyprus, Lebanon, Norway, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Venezuela; and Honorary Consulates in USA, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria,, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Syria, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

U.S.-LATVIAN RELATIONS
The United States established diplomatic relations with Latvia on July 28, 1922. The U.S. Legation in Riga was officially established on November 13, 1922 and served as the headquarters for U.S. representation in the Baltics during the interwar era. The Soviet invasion forced the closure of the legation on September 5, 1940, but Latvian representation in the United States has continued uninterrupted since 1922. The United States never recognized the forcible incorporation of Latvia into the U.S.S.R. and views the present Government of Latvia as a legal continuation of the interwar republic.

Latvia and the United States have signed treaties on investment, trade, intellectual property protection, extradition, mutual legal assistance, and avoidance of double taxation. Latvia has enjoyed most-favored-nation treatment with the United States since December 1991. In 2008, Latvia joined the visa waiver program.

DEFENSE
Latvia's defense concept is based upon four basic pillars: collective defense as a member of NATO, professionalization of the armed forces, support and coordination with civil society, and international military cooperation. The armed forces consist of 4,500 professional regular forces and 8,500 additional volunteers of a home guard called the “Zemessardze”. The regular forces are composed of the land forces, an air force focused on air surveillance and search and rescue, and naval forces focused on coastal surveillance, assertion of sovereignty, mine countermeasures, search and rescue, and environmental protection. The Zemessardze is an autonomous organization which performs traditional national-guard duties such as crisis response and support for military operations. The Latvian National Armed Forces became fully professional in November 2006. Defense spending has fallen to 1.14% of GDP as a result of the economic crisis, but the government is committed to increase defense spending as the economy recovers.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--Judith Garber
Deputy Chief of Mission--Bruce Rogers
Political/Economic Officer--Brian Phipps
Management Officer--Eric Kettner
Consular Officer--Timothy Buckley
Public Affairs Officer--Ryan Roberts
Defense Attaché--Lt. Col. Colin Smith

The U.S. Embassy in Latvia is located at Raina Boulevard 7, Riga [tel. (371) 703-6200].


TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Latvia check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving U.S Driving Permit and International Driving Permit required
Currency (LVL) Latvian Lat
Electrical 220 Volts
Telephones Country Code 371, Riga (8)7+6D, Riga (8)28+5D, Jelgava (8)30+5D



Time: GMT + 2. (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are in use.

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 371. Outgoing international code: 00. Directory enquiries: 09. International calls can be made from telephone booths. Payphones are operated by phonecards which can be purchased at kiosks, post offices and in some shops.

Climate: Temperate climate, but with considerable temperature variations. Summer is warm with relatively mild weather in spring and autumn. Winter, which lasts from November to mid-March, can be very cold. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year with the heaviest rainfall in August. Snowfall is common in the winter months.

Clothing: Light- to mediumweights are worn during summer months. Medium- to heavyweights are needed during winter. Rainwear is advisable all year.

Food & Drink: Hors d’oeuvres are very good and often the best part of the meal. Local specialities include kotletes (meat patties), skabu kapostu zupa (cabbage soup), Alexander Torte (raspberry- or cranberry-filled pastry strips), smoked fish, including salmon or trout, sweetbread soup with dried fruit, piragi (pastry filled with bacon and onions) and sorrel soup with boiled pork, onions, potatoes and barley. Potatoes feature regularly on the menu prepared in a variety of ways. There is also a large selection of excellent dairy products on offer such as skabs krejums (sour cream).
Riga’s Black Balsam is a thick, black alcoholic liquid which has been produced since 1700. The exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, but some of the ingredients include ginger, oak bark, bitter orange peel and cognac. It is drunk either with coffee or mixed with vodka. There are several good local beers including the dark beer bauskas Tumsais and the pale Gaisais. Kvass is a refreshing summer drink. Sparkling wine is also popular.

Shopping: Amber is of high quality and a good buy. Other purchases include folk art, wicker work and earthenware. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900/1000-1800/1900, Sat 0900/1000-1600/1700. Some smaller shops may be closed 1400-1500 for lunch. Food shops open 0800/0900-2000/2100. Some shops are open 24 hours.

Tipping: Taxi fares and restaurant bills usually include a tip. It is customary to give a little extra for good service.

Currency: Latvian Lat (Ls) = 100 santimi. Notes are in denominations of Ls500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of Ls2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 santimi.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard, JCB, MasterCard and Visa are accepted by most hotels and petrol stations. Some shops in Riga also accept credit cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

TOBACCO...........200 Cigarettes or 20 Cigars or 200g of Tobacco

LIQUOR...............1 Bottle

PERFUME............Reasonable for Personal Use

CAMERAS............No Restrictions

FILM....................Reasonable for Personal Use

GIFTS..................Reasonable Quantity

CURRENCY..........No Restrictions

PROHIBITED: Narcotics; guns and ammunition (without a police import permit)



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