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A strong economy and EU membership make Latvia of increasing relevance to New Zealand. To the extent that constraints of size and distance allow, each country is seeking to strengthen bilateral ties. Latvia's interest in agriculture and its similar profile as a small state with an international outlook also provide points for cooperation. Latvia's foreign policy priorities include EU and NATO membership and relations with Russia and the United States.
While there was extensive migration from Latvia in the 1940s only a few hundred Latvians settled in New Zealand. The photographer Andris Apse is possibly the best-known Latvian New Zealander. Latvia came to the attention of New Zealanders in December 2003 when a party of four Latvian climbers, led by Teodors Kirsis, died on Aoraki Mt. Cook. The commitment by the New Zealand authorities to handle this tragedy with efficiency and compassion was widely praised in Latvia, both in the media and by the authorities.
Land Area: 64,589 square kilometres
Population: 2.3 million (2006)
Capital City: Riga
Language: Latvian. Russian is widely understood
Political system: Parliamentary democracy
National government: Coalition government of the Latvian First/Latvian Way, the People's Party, the Union of Greens and Farmers, and the Union for Fatherland and Freedom
National legislature: Unicameral Parliament, the Saeima, of 100 members
Last election: December 2007 (Parliament) - June 2007 (President)
Next election due: October 2010 (Parliament) - June 2011 (President elected by Saeima)
Head of State: President Valdis Zatlers
Head of Government: Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis
GDP: US$20.1 billion (2006)
Real GDP growth: 11.9 % (2006)
Exports: US$6.05 billion (2006)
Imports: US$10.9 billion (2006)
Main exports: Wood and wood products, base metals, machinery and equipment , textiles, prepared foodstuffs
Current account deficit: - US$4,28 billion (2006 est.)
Inflation: 6.5% (2006)
NZ Exports (FOB): NZ$4.5 million
Main Exports: Wool, fish, harvesting machines, wine
NZ Imports (CIF): NZ$1.1 million
Main Imports: Plywood and veneered panels, screening and crushing machinery, and vehicle parts (Year ended June 2007)
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hon Phil Goff, visited Latvia in September 2004. The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament, Rt Hon Jonathan Hunt, led a New Zealand Parliamentary delegation to Latvia in April 2004.
A Latvian parliamentary delegation led by Saeima Speaker Indulis Emsis visited New Zealand in August 2007. The Latvian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Normans Penke led a delegation to Wellington for consultations in August 2006.
The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Latvia [external link].
