Belarusian – Latvian Relations

On December 16, 1991, the two countries signed the Declaration on the Principles of Good-Neighborly Relations.

The diplomatic relations between Belarus and Latvia were established on April 7, 1992.

In 1993, the Embassy of Belarus opened in Riga, and the Embassy of Latvia opened in Minsk. The Consulate-General of Belarus in Daugavpils and the Consulate of Latvia in Vitebsk have provided their services since 1994.

The Prime Minister of Belarus visited Latvia in 1998, 2001, 2008 and 2010. The Prime Minister of Latvia visited Belarus in 1994, 1995 and 2009.

In November 2016, the Prime Minister of Belarus visited Latvia and attended the summit of heads of government of the countries participating in the ‘17+1’ format (Central and Eastern Europe and China). 

On 7-8 February 2018, Prime Minister of Latvia paid a working visit to Belarus.

The Foreign Ministries of the two countries interact on a systemic basis.

In February 2014, July 2016, July 2018 and July 2020 the Foreign Minister of Belarus paid working visits to Latvia. In 2015, Foreign Ministers of Belarus and Latvia met in Minsk and Riga. In April 2013, July 2017, and July 2019 the Foreign Minister of Latvia visited Belarus.

Belarusian and Latvian regions have signed about 60 twin city and partner agreements. 

About 60 international treaties and other documents in different spheres constitute the legal basis of Belarus-Latvia bilateral cooperation.

The Republic of Belarus is interested in strengthening the good-neighborly relations and developing cooperation with the Republic of Latvia in political, trade and economic, science and technology, cultural, educational, ecological, cross-border, and other spheres.

At the same time, the presidential elections in Belarus in August 2020 were followed by a statement by the Saeima of Latvia on non-recognition of the legitimacy of the President of Belarus. Latvia joined Baltic States and the EU Council sanctions against Belarus.

As a result of the crisis in relations between the two countries, the number of contacts at all levels has significantly decreased. In some areas, bilateral contacts were completely suspended.

Since June 26, 2021 the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the Republic of Latvia has suspended its' activity at the request of the Latvian authorities.