Embassy of the Republic of Latvia - Nottingham Place, London, UK
N 51° 31.345 W 000° 09.200
30U E 697479 N 5711764
The Embassy of the Republic of Latvia is located on the west side of Nottingham Place just to the south of Marylebone Road.
Waymark Code: WMHW3E
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 08/18/2013
Views: 2
The
Embassy's website gives historical information about relations between
Latvia and the UK:
Relations between what is currently Latvia and the
United Kingdom have been developing many centuries before the existence of
sovereign Latvian state. The first contacts mentioned in the written sources
are dating back to the 9th Century.
Although, trade links and random exchange of visits have taken place in all
the following centuries, it was in the 17th Century when relations between
England and the Duchy of Courland (Western part of Latvia) considerably
expanded both economically and politically. During the Reign of Duke Jacob
the Duchy of Courland had diplomatic and consular representatives in London
and Newcastle. According to the Agreement between Duke Jacob and King
Charles II, the Duchy of Courland attained the rights for the Caribbean
island of Tobago. Trade links remained to be strong in the centuries that
followed, with the cooperation in the shipbuilding industry being the most
important part of it.
The United Kingdom was the first country to recognize the independence of
Latvia de facto on November 11, 1918, a week before the Republic of Latvia
was proclaimed. The participation of the UK military forces in the battles
for the liberation of Latvia, which took lives of numerous British soldiers,
is one of many reasons why the Latvian society perceives the UK as a country
amicable to Latvia. At the beginning of 1919 when Latvia was occupied by the
Bolsheviks, the British ship "Saratov" stationed in Liepaja for a short
period became a shelter for the temporary Government of Latvia and its head
Mr. Karlis Ulmanis. On January 26, 1921 the UK recognised the independence
of Latvia de iure.
After the occupation of Latvia by Soviet army on 17 June 1940 Mr Karlis
Zarins, Latvian Ambassador in London, was representing the Government of the
Republic of Latvia in Western Europe. In May 1940 when the national security
situation became uncertain the Government assigned Ambassador Zarins the
extraordinary powers. Thanks to the patriotism and tireless efforts of Mr
Zarins and other diplomats the Latvian Representation in London remained
opened during the whole occupation period of Latvia. Therefore, continuation
of de iure existence of the Republic of Latvia was preserved. The United
Kingdom was one of the countries that never recognized the occupation and
incorporation of Latvia into the USSR.
At a time when Latvia regained its independence the representation was
headed by Mrs Marie-Anne Zarina, daughter of Ambassador Zarins. The first
extraordinary and plenipotentiary Ambassador of Latvia after regaining of
independence was Mr Janis Lusis.
On 27 August 1991 jointly with other member countries of the European
Community the United Kingdom recognized the restoration of independence of
the Republic of Latvia and as early as 8 October the first Ambassador of the
UK Mr Richard Samuel arrived in Latvia to open the Embassy.
The
Embassy's website tells us about entry into Latvia:
To stay in Latvia for more than 90 days, citizens of
the United Kingdom should obtain residence permits.
To stay in Latvia for more than 90 days, holders of other travel documents
issued in United Kingdom should apply for residence permits at any
diplomatic or consular representation of Latvia abroad.
There are a number of countries whose citizens can enter Latvia without
visa. Citizens of these countries can enter and stay in Latvia up to 90 days
without visa.
In cases where a visa – free regime is applicable, as of 1 May 2003, a
foreign national entering the Republic of Latvia at an official border
crossing point will have to present a valid travel health insurance policy
guaranteeing the coverage of costs associated with health care incurred
within the Republic of Latvia, including those associated with
transportation of the foreign national to his or her country of residence in
the event of serious illness or death.
Mission's address: 45 Nottingham Place London, United Kingdom W1U 5LY
Business hours: From: 10:00 AM To: 1:00 PM
Website: [Web Link]
|
Visit Instructions: Tell about you visit. What was your impression? Photos are always welcome, but they aren't required. Please no virtual visits.
Recent Visits/Logs:
There are no logs for this waymark yet. |
|
|
|