EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

Johnson and the Latvian Ambassador to the UK, Baiba Braze, lighted the Christmas tree on December 4, launching Latvia's centenary celebrations in the United Kingdom, the Latvian Foreign Ministry said.

The British foreign secretary spoke about the relationship between Latvia and the UK from a centenary perspective. He noted in particular that the tree has arrived in London from Valka district, where the foundation for an independent Latvian state was laid one hundred years ago.

Johnson confirmed that the friendly relations between Latvia and the UK will remain unchanged also after the United Kingdom withdraws from the EU. "Although leaving the EU, the UK remains in Europe," he said.

The Latvian ambassador underlined the close historical ties between both countries, recalling that the UK recognized the Latvian Provisional National Council as early as on November 11, 1918. She pointed to the well-developed cooperation today, one of the areas being business cooperation, especially the export of Latvian timber products to Britain.

The Embassy of Latvia in the United Kingdom arranged the gift of a Christmas tree with support from Norvik Timber Industries. The six-meter tree from a tree nursery in Valka district, Romfords Ezernieki, was transported to Britain and put up in Lancaster House with the help of the diplomats and staff of the Latvian Embassy as a reminder of the friendly ties between Latvia and the UK.

As an acknowledgement of the Latvian diaspora's role in that relationship, the festive mood and Latvian ambience of the occasion were created by the London Latvian Choir, performing Latvian and British Christmas songs. Also attending the event were representatives from the Embassy of Latvia, the British Foreign Office, and Norvik Timber Industries.