Kosovo–Latvia relations
Encyclopedia
Kosovan–Latvian relations are foreign relations between the Republic of Kosovo
and Latvia
. Kosovo
declared its independence
from Serbia
on 17 February 2008 and Latvia recognized
it on 20 February 2008. Latvian and Kosovan governments established diplomatic relations on 10 June 2008. However, Latvia's involvement in Kosovo dates back to 2000 when it first sent peacekeeping
troops.
suggested that NATO's willingness to intervene in Kosovo means that the Western alliance will be prepared to come to the aid of Latvia and other East European countries should Moscow threaten them at some point in the future. She said: Kosovo is not a member of the NATO alliance and yet the alliance was able to take action when it felt that, according to the principles on which it is founded, action and intervention was necessary.I would expect it to do no less anywhere else in Europe.
In November 2005, Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova
met Latvian Foreign Minister, Artis Pabriks
.
Following the formal recognition of Kosovo in February 2008, Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins
said: "Latvia is ready to share its experience in order to facilitate Kosovo's development towards its Europeisation". The Minister also stressed the significance of Latvia's involvement in both the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo), the key objective of which is to assist Kosovan public administration, courts, and law enforcement bodies, and in the International Steering Group for Kosovo
.
In July 2008, Foreign Minister Riekstins visited Kovoso and met with President Fatmir Sejdiu
, Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi
and Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni
. President Seijdiu said he was appreciative of the work of the representatives of the Latvian Contingent within the NATO-led peacekeeping forces (KFOR), and also the participation of Latvian experts in the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo.
During this visit, Minister Riekstins said: "One can draw certain parallels between the history of Latvia and Kosovo, because Latvia too in the early 1990’s had to start from the very beginning in the formation of state institutions, this is precisely why we are prepared to share our experience with the government of Kosovo, offering both our political and practical support."
Republic of Kosovo
Kosovo , officially the Republic of Kosovo is a partially recognised state and a disputed territory in the Balkans...
and Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
. Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
declared its independence
2008 Kosovo declaration of independence
The 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence was adopted on 17 February 2008 by individual members of the Assembly of Kosovo acting in personal capacity and not binding to the Assembly itself...
from Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
on 17 February 2008 and Latvia recognized
International reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence
Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia was enacted on Sunday, 17 February 2008 by the Assembly of Kosovo with a unanimous quorum. All 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings...
it on 20 February 2008. Latvian and Kosovan governments established diplomatic relations on 10 June 2008. However, Latvia's involvement in Kosovo dates back to 2000 when it first sent peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
troops.
History
In 2000, Latvian President Vaira Vike-FreibergaVaira Vike-Freiberga
Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga was the sixth President of Latvia, the first female President of Latvia and the first female leader in eastern Europe. She was elected President of Latvia in 1999 and re-elected in 2003.Dr...
suggested that NATO's willingness to intervene in Kosovo means that the Western alliance will be prepared to come to the aid of Latvia and other East European countries should Moscow threaten them at some point in the future. She said: Kosovo is not a member of the NATO alliance and yet the alliance was able to take action when it felt that, according to the principles on which it is founded, action and intervention was necessary.I would expect it to do no less anywhere else in Europe.
In November 2005, Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova
Ibrahim Rugova
Ibrahim Rugova was an Albanian politician who was the first President of Kosovo and of its leading political party, the Democratic League of Kosovo ....
met Latvian Foreign Minister, Artis Pabriks
Artis Pabriks
Artis Pabriks is a Latvian politician, a former Foreign Minister of Latvia and the current Minister of Defence of Latvia....
.
Following the formal recognition of Kosovo in February 2008, Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins
Māris Riekstiņš
Māris Riekstiņš is a Latvian politician and diplomat with an extensive experience in the foreign service, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Latvia...
said: "Latvia is ready to share its experience in order to facilitate Kosovo's development towards its Europeisation". The Minister also stressed the significance of Latvia's involvement in both the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo), the key objective of which is to assist Kosovan public administration, courts, and law enforcement bodies, and in the International Steering Group for Kosovo
International Steering Group for Kosovo
The International Steering Group for Kosovo is an organization formed pursuant to the Ahtisaari Plan concerning the Kosovo status process...
.
In July 2008, Foreign Minister Riekstins visited Kovoso and met with President Fatmir Sejdiu
Fatmir Sejdiu
Fatmir Sejdiu is a politician from Kosovo. He was the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo and was the first President of the Republic of Kosovo.-Early life and education:...
, Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi
Hashim Thaci
Hashim Thaçi is the Prime Minister of Republic of Kosovo, the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo , and former political leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army .-Early life and education:...
and Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni
Skënder Hyseni
Skënder Hyseni is a former foreign minister of the Republic of Kosovo . Hyseni graduated at the University of Pristina, branch of English Language and Literature in 1979...
. President Seijdiu said he was appreciative of the work of the representatives of the Latvian Contingent within the NATO-led peacekeeping forces (KFOR), and also the participation of Latvian experts in the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo.
During this visit, Minister Riekstins said: "One can draw certain parallels between the history of Latvia and Kosovo, because Latvia too in the early 1990’s had to start from the very beginning in the formation of state institutions, this is precisely why we are prepared to share our experience with the government of Kosovo, offering both our political and practical support."