Embassy of Latvia newsletter - Summer 2011

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SUMMER 2011 ISSUE #12PRIME MINISTER VALDIS DOMBROVSKIS VISITSTHE U.S.; OPENS TWO HONORARY CONSULATESIN CALIFORNIASecretary of Treasury Timothy Geithner and PrimeMinister Valdis Dombrovksis, Dept. of Treasury photoFrom July 13-22 Valdis Dombrovskis, PrimeMinister of Latvia, was on a working visit to theU.S., visiting Washington, D.C., San Francisco, LosAngeles, Austin (Texas) and New York. InWashington on July 13, the Prime Minister metwith Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner.The aim of the visit was to present specificproposals for cooperation to American businessesand finance sector representatives. The Latviandelegation included more than 40 entrepreneursrepresenting such sectors as IT and electronics,transport and logistics, metal processing andmechanical engineering, construction, andeducation. The business delegation was formed bythe Latvian Investment and Development Agency; italso included the management of the Association ofLatvian Commercial Banks and representatives ofthe stock exchange NASDAQ OMX Rīga andAmerican Chamber of Commerce in Latvia.Latvia’s honorary consuls played an important rolein developing business contacts. The PrimeMinister; Andris Teikmanis, State Secretary of theMinistry of Foreign Affairs and AmbassadorAndrejs Pildegovičs opened two honoraryconsulates in California. Finance expert Līga Hoyhas been confirmed as Latvia's honorary consul forthe San Francisco/Silicon Valley region, and Dr.Juris Buņķis has been confirmed to representLatvia in the Los Angeles area/Southern California.Both honorary consuls are Latvian-Americans, whowill further business, economic, academic andcultural ties between Latvia and California.The Prime Minister concluded: „During the visit wemet representatives from more than 60 Americancorporations, including companies which are worldleaders in their area of activities, in order tostrengthen economic cooperation. The initiative ofthe Latvian IT companies needs a special highlightas this is the field which opens the greatestpotential for expanded business activities. Byfurther developing the contacts made during thisvisit, our companies have opportunities forconsiderably increased trade volumes and forattraction of new investments from the U.S. in thenearest future.”WREATH LAYING AT VICTIMS OFCOMMUNISM MEMORIALEmbassy of Latvia Counselor Vineta Mēkone withLithuanian and Estonian colleagues at the Victims ofCommunism MemorialOn August 23 diplomats from the Latvian,Estonian, Lithuanian and Polish embassies placedflowers at the Victims of Communism Memorial inWashington to honor of the victims of Stalinismand Nazism and all those who have suffered undertotalitarian regimes.4
SUMMER 2011 ISSUE #12ARTICLE BY LATVIA’S MINISTER OFDEFENSE FEATURED IN “COMMON DEFENSEQUARTERLY” MAGAZINEThe fall 2011 Common Defense QuarterlyMagazine has published the article In the Searchfor Rebalancing the Relationship of the CollectiveSecurity by Dr. Artis Pabriks, Minister of Defenseof Latvia.LATVIA’S HONORARY CONSULINTERVIEWED BY PROVIDENCE BUSINESSPUBLICATIONBOLIS: To my knowledge there are no currentbusiness relationships between Rhode Islandcompanies/organizations and Latvia. Because ofits small size Latvia is virtually unknown in RhodeIsland. Latvia is one of only four European Unioncountries to have direct border access with Russia.Thus it can, and does, function as an importantgateway for East-West trade.PBN: What are some ways in which you hope tostrengthen this relationship?BOLIS: At least initially, my job will be to developbusiness relationships between Latvia and RhodeIsland. I plan to do this by meeting with RhodeIsland business groups and individualbusinessmen to explain and popularizeinvestments in Latvia.PBN: What challenges do you expect to face in yourrole as honorary consul?Latvia’s Honorary Consul in Rhode IslandJohn (Jānis) BolisAn interview with Latvia’s Honorary Consul inRhode Island John (Jānis) Bolis was published inthe Aug 29, 2011 edition of the ProvidenceBusiness News. Following are excerpts from theinterview:John Bolis was recently appointed honorary consulof Latvia. A retired attorney, he holds a B.A. fromthe University of Connecticut and a J.D. fromBoston University School of Law. Bolis also holds acertificate in dispute resolution from the Universityof Massachusetts. In 2006, he was awardedLatvia’s Cross of Recognition, and in 2010 receivedan honorary doctorate from the Latvian Academy ofSciencesBOLIS: My biggest challenge will be encouraginginvestments in Latvia at a time when businesses inRhode Island are reluctant to make newinvestments and hire new employees. They maywell feel that investing in a small country morethan 4,000 miles from home is a bit of a stretch. Ihope that as the Rhode Island economy improves Iwill be able to overcome this perceived reluctance.11th SAEIMA ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ONSEPTEMBER 17Based on the results of the National Referendumon dissolution of the 10 th Saeima held on July 23,the Central Election Commission announced thatthe 11 th Saeima elections will be held onSeptember 17. Polling stations will be open in 15U.S. cities from 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. for Latviancitizens abroad to cast their vote. A valid passportis required to participate.PBN: How would you describe the currentrelationship between Rhode Islandcompanies/organizations and Latvia?5
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