Foreign relations of Latvia

After the declaration on the restoration of its full independence on August 21, 1991, Latvia became a member of the United Nations on September 17, 1991, and is a signatory to a number of UN organizations and other international agreements.

Latvia welcomes further cooperation and integration with NATO, European Union, OECD and other Western organizations.

It also is a member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and of the North Atlantic Coordinating Council.

On September 20, 2003, in a nationwide referendum, the Latvians voted to join the European Union and Latvia's EU membership took effect on May 1, 2004.

Latvia is represented in Bulgaria through its embassy in Warsaw (Poland) and through an honorary consulate in Sofia.

Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, International Criminal Court, Joint Expeditionary Force, NATO, OECD, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization.