EXPLORE RGSL / Latvia

The name "Latvija" comes from the ancient Latgallians, one of four Indo-European Baltic tribes, who along with Couronians, Selonians, and Semigallians formed the ethnic core of today’s Latvian people. The Republic of Latvia was founded on 18 November 1918.

On 21 August 1991 Latvia declared restoration of its de facto independence, re-established international diplomatic ties, and joined the United Nations. Latvian, re-established as the national language, forms part of the Indo-European language family and, together with Lithuanian, the Baltic language group is related to, but separate from the Slavic and Germanic languages.

The 1922 Constitution (Satversme) was re-introduced, affirming Latvia as a democratic, parliamentary republic. Legislative power is in the hands of the single chamber Parliament (Saeima), which has 100 deputies. Latvia’s head of state, the President, is elected by the Parliament and signs laws as well as choosing the Prime Minister as head of the government.

Latvia joined the WTO in 1998 and in 2004 became a member of the European Union and NATO.  This period in Latvia was unique in that Latvia became the first country in Central and Eastern Europe to elect a woman as president - Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga - in 1999. After serving two terms she was succeeded by Valdis Zatlers.

Historically, Latvia has always enjoyed close cultural, economic, and political ties with Western Europe, particularly with other countries in the Baltic Sea region. In building a modern Latvian state, these EU and NATO countries have served as Latvia’s most active and influential partners. Given Latvia’s central geographic location, linking Scandinavia with the Continent, and east with west, Latvia is well positioned to expand its historical role as a keystone of the Baltic Sea region.

Simultaneously, Latvia has sought to establish constructive relationships with its non-EU neighbours, including Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. A shared history, longstanding business and cultural contacts, and a common interest in trade and cooperation with the states of the former USSR have put Latvia at the leading edge of the EU ‘European Neighbourhood Policy’.

Read more at the web site of the Latvian Institute at: www.li.lv