2006 Press Releases
The United States Welcome the Inauguration of the New Latvian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Riga, March 1, 2006. -- The United States Embassy in Riga welcomes the inauguration of the new Latvian Embassy in Washington, according to Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey. "This is a poignant moment in US-Latvian relations. The former embassy stood for decades as a remarkable symbol of Latvia's determination to preserve its identity during the Soviet occupation, but today's ceremony opens a new chapter in history. It is another confident step forward, as Latvia takes its rightful place among the world community of nations."
Ambassador Bailey is in Washington this week to accompany President Vaira Vike-Freiberga in her meetings with American officials. They met US Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert Tuesday, and Wednesday will meet with Vice-President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Later in the week, Ambassador Bailey will address the LIAA Banking conference and take part in the US-Baltic Foundation activities to recognize the accomplishments of several Americans, and to attract American participation in the pan-Baltic Trade and Investment Conference that will take place in Riga May 22-26.
Ambassador Bailey also remarked upon the invitation that President Vike-Freiberga received from Speaker Hastert Tuesday, to return to Washington in June to address a joint session of Congress: "Addressing our Congress is a rare honor for any foreign leader, and I will be pleased and proud to witness her speech. The invitation says a great deal about the excellent state of relations between our two countries, and about our appreciation for her leadership."