Last updated in March 2010
Political relations
Germany established diplomatic relations with Latvia on 28 August 1991, soon after the country regained its independence (21 August 1991).
Bilateral relations are close and friendly. Germany has supported Latvia on its way to joining the EU and establishing Euro-Atlantic ties and has helped the country to reform its economy, administration and judiciary. The Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation have their own offices in Riga.
Latvia’s relations with Germany have taken on a new quality through the country’s accession to the EU and NATO in April and May 2004, respectively. Latvia has also been a member of the Schengen area since 2008.
Another feature of German-Latvian relations are the frequent mutual visits at all levels. Federal President Köhler paid his first visit to Latvia on 23 November 2004. In April 2007, he attended a conference of Presidents of EU member states in Riga.
During her term of office, the former Latvian President Vike-Freiberga made frequent visits to Germany, including a trip to Bremen (which is twinned with Riga) in December 2005 to receive the Hannah Arendt Prize.
On 21 January 2008, the current Latvian President Valdis Zatlers paid a first official visit to Berlin to meet with the Federal President. The two met again in Berlin on 15 March 2008 at a ceremony to mark the opening of the German-Baltic Culture Year and they held further talks in Berlin on 10 November 2009. Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Latvia in November 2006 to attend the NATO Summit in Riga. On 29 April 2009, Latvia’s newly elected Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis travelled to Berlin for talks with Federal Chancellor Merkel, the then Economics Minister zu Guttenberg and the then Finance Minister Steinbrück. The two countries’ foreign ministers also maintain close contacts, both bilaterally and in the framework of regular so-called “3+1” meetings (between the German Foreign Minister and his three Baltic counterparts, most recently in May 2009). In addition, numerous visits by representatives of the German federal states’ governments and parliaments help intensify political dialogue between the two countries.
Economic relations
Germany remains one of Latvia’s principal trading partners. In the first half of 2009, Germany accounted for 10.3 per cent of Latvia’s total imports and 8.1 per cent of the country’s total exports. Germany also takes a leading place when it comes to direct investment. Important investors include E.ON Ruhrgas AG, HVB Bank (now UniCredit), Nord/LB (DnB Nord), Ergo International AG (Insurances), Gebr. Knauf Verwaltungsgesellschaft and Glasseiden Oschatz GmbH.
Some 1,000 companies with German capital interest are active in Latvia, mainly in the wood and metal processing, service and trade sectors. The German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania offers German business a direct partner in Riga. The Chamber also conducts regular seminars on various market economy topics.
Bilateral agreements have been concluded on the protection and promotion of investments (April 1993), air, sea and road transport (April 1993) and double taxation (February 1997).
Social relations
In the past, a number of German-Latvian projects have helped integrate Latvian partners into European consulting networks. Employees’ and employers’ organizations have supported their Latvian partners with advisory services (employers’ association), seminars and further-training measures (trade unions). The most committed partners in Germany include the Diakonisches Werk of the Evangelical Church in Germany, the German Red Cross, the Workers’ Samaritan Federation and the Order of St John.
Cultural relations
Latvia is seeking to establish particularly close relations with Germany in the cultural field. For historical reasons, the German language is widely used in the country. There is keen demand for cultural exchange and an exchange of scientists, academics, students and pupils as well as for learning and refreshing the German language. There is a lively cultural exchange between the two countries with performances and exhibitions by Latvian artists (drama, dance troupes, writers, painters, choirs, etc.) in Germany and by German artists in Latvia.
A key role is played by the numerous active twinning arrangements between German and Latvian cities, municipalities, institutions of higher education and schools as well as other cultural and social institutions.
