Hopes for Latvian embassy in Australia next year

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One of the priorities of the Foreign Ministry next year is the opening of an embassy in Australia. The ministry has requested funds in next year's budget to make it possible, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs told Latvian Television on July 14.

Having an embassy in Australia has already been a target for a while but the plan was suspended due to budget shifting.

The embassy has also been requested by the large Latvian diaspora in Australia, otherwise the closest embassy of Latvia is in Japan. In Australia, according to local data, there are around 20,000 Latvian nationals, both from earlier and more recent emigration.

“The Australian Latvian Community is one of the largest communities that works very successfully. However, support from Latvia and the fact that this community is being taken seriously, would certainly help  the nationality, identity and strengthening of the country,” said Kristīne Saulīte, president of the World Federation of Free Latvians (PBLA).

For the opening of the embassy in Australia, the ministry has asked for €888 500 of funding in next year's budget. Practical matters, such as where the embassy could be located, are not yet decided.

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