The Honorary Consulate of Latvia was opened in Chernihiv

On January 25, 2016 the opening ceremony of the Honorary Consulate of Latvia took place in Chernihiv and Chernihiv region. The event was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia in Ukraine Juris Poikāns, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in Chernihiv and Chernihiv region Olena Vyshniakova, the leaders of the city and region, deputies of the Verkhovna Rada and Saeima of Latvia, the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

The Honorary Consulate of Latvia in Chernihiv works for over a year, during which many projects were implemented with the Latvian partners in the humanitarian, cultural and business fields, but the opening ceremony was held only today.

Welcoming the Ukrainian colleagues, the Ambassador of Latvia Juris Poikāns noted that the opening of the Honorary Consulate in Chernihiv will contribute to the strengthening of friendly relations between Ukraine and Latvia. "Chernihiv is a good platform for the development of relations between Ukraine and Latvia. I hope that the work of the Honorary Consulate will help their development," said the Ambassador. Particularly, Mr. Poikāns emphasised that Latvia continues to support the sovereignty and impartiality of Ukraine. "Latvia supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Though we are not the neighbors, but we understand very well each other," said the Ambassador.

In his speech, the Chairman of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration Valerii Kulich accentuated the importance of joint projects between Chernihiv region and the Republic of Latvia and assured the complete support on behalf of the local administration.

The Mayor of Chernihiv Vladyslav Atroshenko said that it was agreed upon the working visit to Latvia of officials from Chernihiv to exchange of experience in local government at the meeting with the representatives of the Latvian delegation.

According to the Chairman of Chernihiv Regional Council Igor Vdovenko, "the opening of the Consulate is the demonstration of friendly relations between the Ukrainian and Latvian peoples, the strengthening of economic and political ties."

The Head of the deputy group of the Saeima of Latvia in parliamentary contacts with Ukraine Ainars Mezhulis congratulated the Honorary Consul Olena Vyshniakova with the opening: "I am very pleased that I met such an energetic woman as Olena Vyshniakova. The most important thing for me is the people, the friendship between nations, between people. If we have such a friendship between us, as I have with the family of Vyshniakov, we will be able to develop the joint projects and all of them will be successful". Mr. Mezhulis assured that Latvia will do all possible for Ukraine to become soon a member of the European Union. In addition, he spoke about the plans of help to families of the bereaved in the area of anti-terrorist operation, especially to children. The Latvian deputy thanked for a wonderful celebration, wished the Ukrainian people the peace and sustainable development and expressed the confidence in the strong friendship between our countries.

According to his Ukrainian colleague, the Head of the deputy group of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in parliamentary contacts with the Republic of Latvia Oleksandr Kodola, Latvia is the guide of Ukraine's interests in the EU. According to him, the Ukrainian Nizhyn will soon find the sister city among the Latvian cities, which will work more closely on issues of local government.

According to the Head of Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleksandr Danyleiko, very symbolic is the fact that in particular the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Latvia was first opened in Chernihiv, because Latvia is one of the closest neighbors of Chernihiv region that is a member of the EU.

Speaking at the conclusion of the celebration, the Honorary Consul of Latvia Mrs. Olena Vyshniakova thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Ukraine for the honor to represent the regional interests of Latvia in Chernihiv and everyone who helped during the year with the implementation of Consulate projects.

She said that last year the work of the Honorary Consulate has focused on the humanitarian and cultural projects. In particular, on the territory of the Consulate the unique cultural center LatviArt is working, where successfully joint projects are implemented. In addition, last year in Chernihiv region was held the promotional tour of the leading travel companies of Latvia; with the assistance of the Honorary Consulate the constant flight was opened between Kyiv and Riga. The Honorary Consulate last year received more than 20 tons of humanitarian cargoes from Latvian partners.

"I represent a small country, but a country - with a huge heart", said the Honorary Consul. Mrs. Vyshniakova expressed the confidence in further successful cooperation of the Honorary Consulate of Latvia in Chernihiv and Chernihiv region, and promised to promote the development of friendly relations between Ukraine and Latvia in all possible areas for common prosperity.

Information: Honorary Consulate of Latvia in Chernihiv and Chernihiv region works from 2015. Honorary Consul - Olena Oleksandrivna Vyshniakova.

Address of the Honorary Consulate of Latvia: 14000, Ukraine, Chernihiv city, 23 Horkogo Street, http://lv-consul.com/uk/, tel: (0462) 77 44 32, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.