We are part of Europe with diverse opportunities to shape our future and our common future. We are part of the European family whose foundation is democracy.
Baiba Braže, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “Twenty years ago, ten countries, including us, joined the European Union. We returned to freedom, we returned to the family we belonged to before the Soviet regime occupied us. 20 years ago we had the freedom to choose and we chose Europe because together, even though we are different, we are stronger, safer and united in our diversity.
Membership in the European Union is not just a geographical designation. Participation is a confirmation of our will to stand up for common European values and to be together with countries that respect and protect human dignity, stand for human rights, freedom, equality and solidarity. Solidarity to Ukraine in its struggle for freedom, democracy and a rules-based international order.
In the field of foreign affairs, after 20 years, we evaluate the opportunities that Latvia’s accession to the European Union has given. Membership in the European Union gives us access to the world’s largest network of trade agreements with more than 70 partners. It is based on open, free and fair trade. Entrepreneurs have new opportunities for export, investment, as well as access to raw materials. On the other hand, consumers have access to a comprehensive range of goods and services. We also have protection against unfair competition.
Latvia has turned from a recipient country into a donor country – for world security and sustainability. Development cooperation funding has grown to 131 million euros in 2023 in 20 years. Latvia participates in large EU-funded development cooperation projects and activities. Ukraine has been the main priority in Latvia’s development cooperation, providing it with valuable experience and knowledge, which is now very useful for Ukraine on its way to the EU. The total EU support for Ukraine reaches 144 billion euros.
Traveling the world in emergency situations, we can receive help from the representative office of another EU member state in a country where Latvia does not have its own representative office. If an identity document is lost, we can get a temporary travel document at the representative office of any EU member state in a country where Latvia does not have a representative office.
Expressing our civic duty and making a political choice, we can participate in the European Parliament elections on June 8 in 50 polling stations both in the EU and outside.
I am ME. We are Europe! LV20EU
Events in Latvia and around the world are dedicated to Europe Day and the 20th anniversary of Latvia’s membership in the EU
in Latvia
Celebrating Europe Day, the Information Points of the European Union, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organize creative events in all regions of Latvia.
In Daugavpils, “Europe’s backyard festival 2024”, an informative quiz in Dobele, an event “Europe with a book” organized for primary school students in Jelgava, an event for young people “European Union and You” in Jūrmala and a meeting with the European person in Latvia Ralfs Eiland.
In Limbaži, these are trainings on the importance of social networks, in Ludza an intellectual game “What is the European Union”, in Madona the event “European Family Saturday”, in Rēzekne a discussion “20 years in the European Union – achievements and future plans” and the creative workshop “European symbolism for your own hands”, in Smiltenė the word game “EU and the EU – that’s us”, in Staicelė the discussion “From 500 landfills to the circular economy, or – what 20 years in the European Union have changed in our management”.
In Tals “European values in conversation with journalist Ina Strazdiņa”, in Tukuma drawing competition and exhibition “My congratulations to the European Union on its 20th birthday!” and the crossword puzzle competition “I am a fat man in the European Union”, as well as in Valka “Know about what has been done in the Valka region together with the EU!”
In foreign countries
Upcoming events
- In Helsinki, Finland, until May 13 it is possible to view the photo tour “EU Big Bang 2004” with photos from May 1, 2004, when Latvia joined the EU.
- in Brussels, Belgium, The works of the students of the Latvian Academy of Arts have been exhibited in a special exhibition in the premises of the Permanent Representation of Latvia to the EU. It will be possible to view the exhibition until November with prior application.
- Malmö, Sweden, right on Europe Day On May 9, the singer Don will represent Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest.
- in Luxembourg on May 9 Representatives of the Embassy of Latvia will participate in the annual Europe Day event “European Village” with a special stand.
- on May 11 Embassy of Latvia in Georgia will provide Latvia’s stand at the Europe Days celebration Tbilisi. Also in Tokyo, Japan, “European Village” will take place. On the other hand in Washington, USA, The Embassy of Latvia in the USA in cooperation with the LIAA and Latvian entrepreneurs in the USA will participate in the “EU Open Door Day 2024”.
- Budapest, Hungary on May 12 The Embassy of Latvia will participate in the Europe Day festival with a special stand to promote Latvia’s international recognition.
- From May 12 to 16 in Abu Dhabi, In the United Arab Emirates, upcoming European Film Festival. The Latvian film “Jēkabs, Mimmi and talking dogs” will be shown on May 14.
- on May 15 the embassies of the three Baltic states in Warsaw, in Polandheld Baltic Grill&Chill with the aim of expanding cooperation between Baltic states and Polish businessmen. On the other hand in Yerevan, Armenia, the embassy will support Armenians EuroClub organized seminar on EU issues and current affairs.
- in Astana, in Kazakhstan, on May 22 a festive concert will be held, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Latvia and other countries admitted in 2004 to the European Union.
- On 26 May in Budapest, Hungary, the embassy will participate in the “Boulevard of Nations” organized by the International Child Safety Service.
- in Kazakhstan on June 1 Astana A special Europe Day event as well as a forum will be held in the Central Park AgriFood with the aim of promoting EU products.
- Embassy in Greece along with the other nine countries that joined the EU in 2004, will participate in the art project. At the beginning of June of Nicosia in the old town in Cyprus walls will be painted depicting dancers from each country.
Events held
With the participation and support of Latvian embassies, solemn events have already taken place in the capitals of Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, the Czech Republic, South Korea, Croatia, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Canada, Cyprus, Russia, the Netherlands, Finland, Spain and Sweden. On the other hand, in Germany, events were held both in Berlin and Hamburg. in an Austrian newspaper Die Presse a joint article by the ambassadors of the Baltic states on modern Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania was published.
More about Europe Day events both in Riga and elsewhere in Latvia: Europe Day 2024 – European Commission (europa.eu)
More about Europe Day events abroad (in English): Europe Day 2024 (europa.eu)
