Latvia–Sweden relations

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Latvia–Sweden relations
Map indicating locations of Latvia and Sweden

Latvia
Sweden
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Latvia, Stockholm [lv; sv]Embassy of Sweden, Riga [sv]
Envoy
Ambassador Ilze RūseAmbassador Karin Höglund

Latvia and Sweden have bilateral relations dating back to at least 1776, when a Swedish consulate was established in Riga.[1] Parts of Livonia fell under the Swedish Empire from 1621 to 1709, including the dominion of Swedish Livonia.[2] The two resumed diplomatic relations on 28 August 1991, following Latvia's restoration of independence amidst the dissolution of the Soviet Union.[3] Latvia has an embassy in Stockholm while Sweden has an embassy in Riga. Both countries border the Baltic Sea and are members of the European Union, the Nordic-Baltic Eight, the Council of Europe and NATO, among other organisations.

History[edit]

Following three years of debate by Swedish politicians over the status of the Baltic countries, and whether to get involved in Baltic affairs at all, the decline of the White movement in the Baltics, the Latvian–Soviet Peace Treaty, and the subsequent Western powers recognition of the independence of the Baltic countries in late January 1920 pushed Sweden to recognise Latvian independence on 2 February 1921.[4]

Sweden showed almost no protest to the Soviet Union's annexation of the Baltic countries, and became the second country to recognize the Soviet Union's annexation of the countries after Nazi Germany.[5] In spite of this, Sweden's neutrality during World War II, as well as Sweden's welcoming policy towards Baltic refugees, made it a safe haven for many seeking to flee Latvia, with about 5,000 Latvians fleeing to Sweden during the autumn and winter of 1944. This policy was however tainted when 167 interned refugees, most of which were of Latvian nationality and who had fought on the German side of the war, were extradited by Swedish authorities following Soviet demands.[6] In 2011, Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt apologized to Latvia and the other Baltic states for being among the first countries to recognise the Soviet Union's annexation of the Baltic countries, and for extraditing around 170 soldiers to the Soviet Union.[7]

Between 1990 and 2003, 44 Latvian municipalities entered in twinning agreements with Swedish municipalities.[8] Sweden also supported Latvia's reform of its pension system, with Swedish social welfare civil servants assisting their counterparts in the design and computerisation of the new system.[8]

Bilateral state visits[edit]

Swedish king Carl XVI Gustaf first visited Latvia in September 1992.[9] In October 1995, Latvian president Guntis Ulmanis visited Sweden.[9] In 2005, Latvian president Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga went on a state visit to Sweden, meeting with the king and queen of Sweden, and speaking to the Swedish parliament.[10]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "History of Diplomatic Relations 1776-2005". Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in the Kingdom of Sweden. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Lettland" (in Swedish). Government of Sweden. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Avtal med Lettland om återupprättande av diplomatiska förbindelser, Stockholm den 28 augusti 1991" (PDF) (in Swedish). Government of Sweden. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  4. ^ Kuldkepp, Mart (2016-12-21). "Swedish political attitudes towards Baltic independence in the short twentieth century [Kokkuvõte: Rootsi poliitilised hoiakud Balti riikide iseseisvuse suhtes lühikesel 20. sajandil]". Ajalooline Ajakiri. The Estonian Historical Journal (3/4): 406–413. doi:10.12697/AA.2016.3-4.04. ISSN 2228-3897.
  5. ^ Kuldkepp, p. 416.
  6. ^ Kuldkepp, p. 417.
  7. ^ "Sweden apologises to Baltics over Soviet era". www.swedishwire.com. 15 August 2011. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  8. ^ a b "Sweden's Support to the Transition of the Baltic Countries 1990–2003" (PDF). Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
  9. ^ a b "History of Diplomatic Relations 1776-2005". www2.mfa.gov.lv. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  10. ^ "State visit". www2.mfa.gov.lv. Retrieved 2024-05-06.

External links[edit]

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