Canada-Latvia relations

On this page

• Bilateral relations
• Trade relations
• Operations
• Partnerships and organizations
• Canada-Latvia fact sheet

Bilateral relations

Canada and Latvia enjoy an excellent relationship. Bilateral meetings and exchanges take place on a regular and ongoing basis. Canada did not recognize the Soviet annexation of the Baltic States and was the first G7 country to recognize the restoration of Latvia's independence in 1991.

Canada is represented in Latvia by an Embassy in Riga. Latvia is represented in Canada by an Embassy in Ottawa. Latvia also has Honorary Consulates in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec.

Trade relations

Canada and Latvia enjoy a mutually beneficial trade and investment relationship. In February 2018, Latvia became the first EU Member State to ratify the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Strategic Partnership Agreement. Bilateral trade between Canada and Latvia totalled almost $220 million in 2020 with nearly $159 million in exports and just over $61 million in imports from Latvia.

Related links

• Trade and investment agreements
• Import / Export controls
• Doing business in Latvia

Operations

Military engagement

Canada was the first country to ratify Latvia's accession to NATO in 2004. NATO has established an enhanced Forward Presence of multinational NATO battlegroups deployed in Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Poland. Through Operation REASSURANCE, Canada is leading the multinational deployment in Latvia as Framework Nation, contributing 540 troops. In addition, Canada contributes to the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence located in Riga.

Canadian Armed Forces personnel also train and exercise side-by-side with their Latvian counterparts, and participate in NATO Force Integration Units in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Latvia work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

• European Union
• La Francophonie
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• International Criminal Court (ICC)
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
• Open Government Partnership (OGP)
• Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
• United Nations (UN)
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• World Trade Organization (WTO)