EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

Andris Berzins opens a Latvian Honorary Consul in Krakow, 17.02.2012. Photo: president.lv

"I am truly pleased to open the Latvian Honorary Consulate in Krakow tonight – already the fourth honorary consulate in Poland, which will cover the Podkarpackie Voivodeship and Lesser Poland Voivodeship. I truly believe that the opening of the new Honorary Consulate in Poland will give Polish residents the opportunity to find information about Latvia easier, help establish cooperation contacts, strengthen the economic ties, expand trade relations, and foster tourism," Berzins said during the ceremony.

At the same time, Berzins stressed that Latvia was interested in the development of regional cooperation, especially between the Voivodeships of Podkarpackie and Lesser Poland on the one hand and Latgale, a Latvian province that historically has close ties with Poland, on the other hand. Berzins said he was pleased that a delegation from Latgale local governments was accompanying him on the Poland visit, and that members of the delegation had discussed practical cooperation and specific projects with Polish officials.

"I feel very upbeat and satisfied in concluding my visit to Poland," said Berzins. "Current relations between Latvia and Poland are characterized by intense cooperation, based on common values and goals, and characterized by mutual support and solidarity. Latvia has defined Poland as one of its strategic partners in the region, with which we need to develop closer cooperation on political, economic, educational and cultural matters."

Rafal Brzoska will continue as the honorary consul of Latvia in Krakow. "Dear Mr. Brzoska, I wish you every success in your office as honorary consul. I am confident that the expanded network of honorary consulates in Poland will provide further stimulus to the development of the bilateral relations between Latvia and Poland," said Berzins.

The Latgale delegation accompanying Berzins on his visit to Poland included Daugavpils Mayor Zanna Kulakova, Latgale Region Planning Administration head Iveta Malina-Tabune and Kraslava-D head Viktorija Vingrevica.