Other events in Baltic States

On August 11, will be the 90th anniversary of the signing of the Latvian-Russian peace treaty, which officially ended the Latvian War of Independence. On the eve of the anniversary, Defense Minister Imants Liegis (Civic Union) pointed out the significance of the agreement in terms of Latvian-Russian relations, LETA was informed by the Defense Ministry.

The peace treaty also served as the basis for the non-recognition by Western countries of Soviet policies during the occupation years. "Activists from each generation have referred to the peace treaty signed by Latvia and Soviet Russia in 1920. By this agreement, Russia promised to recognize our independence for all time. The violation of this treaty serves as a reminder of the importance of Western policy during the years of Soviet occupation, when those countries did not accept 'de jure' the incorporation of the Baltic States into the Soviet Union," stressed Liegis.

The peace treaty between Latvia and Russia was signed on August 11, 1920 with a gold pen specially created for the occasion. It was signed in the name of Latvia by Janis Vesmanis, Peteris Bergis, Ansis Busevics, Eduards Kalnins and Karlis Pauluks, while from the Russian side it was signed by Adolph Joffe and Yakov Ganetsky.

Article one of the treaty signed 90 years ago indicates that from the moment of its coming into force, the state of war between the two sides – Latvia and Russia – hereby came to an end, while Article two indicates that "Russia recognizes without objection the independence and sovereignty of the Latvian State and forever renounces all sovereign rights held by Russia in relation to the Latvian nation and land". Article 3 of the treaty defined the Latvian-Russian border, which was also demonstrated visually with the addition of a map.

The treaty was a positive example of Latvia and Russia's readiness to cooperate in the two nation's common interests, stressed the Foreign Ministry.