On Monday, 13 February, Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, during her official visit to the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, in an official ceremony opened the new building of the Latvian Embassy. Renovated premises, which are more customer-friendly, will ensure that the increasingly growing demand for Latvian visas is met.

“During recent years, Georgia and Latvia have been making efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, and I am gratified that this cooperation is reinforced at the parliamentary level as well. Today the opening ceremony of the Embassy is attended by David Bakradze, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, who is a true friend of Latvia,” emphasised Āboltiņa during the opening ceremony of the Embassy.

The Speaker of the Saeima expressed the wish to Elita Gavele, the new Ambassador of Latvia to Georgia, and to the Latvian diplomats that the Embassy would be like a miniature Latvia in the heart of Tbilisi. She also expressed the hope that the Embassy would continue to create a good impression about our country, foster tourism and encourage new business contacts.

During recent years, Georgia has been showing a growing interest in cooperation with Latvia; thus the demand for Latvian visas increased by 14% in 2011.

Speaker Āboltiņa presented staff members of the Embassy with a table clock that will show the Latvian time and thus remind them about the close relation of their work to our country.

The opening ceremony was attended by foreign diplomats and representatives of the Latvian community, which is an active part of Georgia’s public life and has a significant role in bringing the nations together.

On 13 and 14 February, Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, is on an official visit to Georgia on the invitation by David Bakradze, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia. During the visit, Āboltiņa is meeting with high officials to discuss bilateral relations and opportunities to boost economic contacts. On her visit, the Speaker of the Saeima is accompanied by Dzintars Zaķis, Chairman of the group for interparliamentary relations with Georgia, and Raimonds Vējonis, Deputy Chairman of the group for interparliamentary relations with Georgia.

Photos from the opening ceremony of the Embassy are available at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/sets/72157629299759563/with/6868967555/

 
Saeima Press Service