Canada-Latvia relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada and Latvia enjoy a positive relationship, including as NATO Allies, based on shared fundamental values, including support for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and for the rules-based international order.
Latvia hosts Canada’s largest overseas military deployment, where Canada is the Framework Nation for the NATO multinational battlegroup, soon to be brigade. Canada and Latvia are working closely to fulfil commitments made by NATO leaders to increase the deployment of NATO troops to the Alliance’s eastern flank to deter and defend against Russian aggression.
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
In February 2017, Latvia became the first EU Member State to ratify the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Strategic Partnership Agreement.
Canada and Latvia have a robust trade relationship. Canada’s exports to Latvia were $422.4 million in 2023, up 5.1% from 2022.
Imports from Latvia were $131 million in 2023, up 58.7% from 2022.
The stock of Canadian direct investment in Latvia was valued at $3.0 million at the end of 2023.
Data on the value of the stock of Latvian direct investments in Canada is not available.
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Defence cooperation
Canada was the first country to ratify Latvia's accession to NATO in 2004. Canada has been leading the NATO multinational battlegroup, soon to be brigade, in Latvia through Operation REASSURANCE since 2017. Approximately 1,900 Canadian Armed Forces members are currently deployed in support of Op REASSURANCE, making it Canada’s largest international military operation.
In July 2023, the Latvian and Canadian defence ministers signed a Roadmap for scaling the battlegroup to a brigade. Canada also announced $2.6 billion in funding, starting in 2023-24, to renew and expand Operation REASSURANCE for three years, with up to 2,200 troops continuously deployed.
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 forums, such as:
- 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)
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