Welcome to the Consulate General of The Republic of Latvia to Lebanon
The Consulate General of Latvia in Beirut represents the Republic of Latvia in Lebanon and covers the 5 Boroughs of Beirut, Zahle, North of Lebanon, the South of Lebanon, and the Mont Lebanon. Its broad mission is to promote Latvian interests in Lebanon and to provide assistance to Latvians visiting Lebanon and residents. The Consulate seeks to assist in fostering broader knowledge in Lebanon about Latvia and to facilitate increased business, educational, and cultural relations between Lebanon and Latvia - one of the European Union's fastest growing and historically and culturally interesting nations.
Things you should know about Riga
- Riga is the largest city in the three Baltic States
- There are three major ports in Latvia - Liepaja, Riga and Ventspils, as well as seven smaller ports - Skulte, Mersrags, Salacgriva, Pavilosta, Roja, Lielupe and Engure, which are situated along the entire coastline of Latvia.
- Riga is Europe's capital of art nouveau architecture
- Riga is one of the greenest city in the region
- Historic center in Riga is included in the UNESCO world heritage list
- Riga , ranked as the best large European city for cost effectiveness by FDI Magazine
| Largest cities or towns of Latvia | ||||
Riga |
Rank | Name | Pop. | 
Liepâja |
| 1 | Riga | 705,703 | ||
| 2 | Daugavpils | 103,053 | ||
| 3 | Liepâja | 83,884 | ||
| 4 | Jelgava | 64,748 | ||
| 5 | Jûrmala | 56,147 | ||
Daugavpils |
6 | Ventspils | 42,657 | 
Jelgava |
| 7 | Rçzekne | 34,912 | ||
| 8 | Valmiera | 27,217 | ||
| 9 | Jçkabpils | 26,378 | ||
| 10 | Ogre | 26,167 | ||
News of 04/12/2018
According to Baltic News Network
ICT experts: we live in the age of artificial intelligence
In the future, city technologies will create a culture based on platforms in which everything is aimed at organization of cooperation of mature companies, start-ups, experts and teachers and creation of mutual projects, said industry and start-up representatives at the 20th anniversary conference of Latvian Association of Information and Communication Technologies.
During this conference, for the first time an initiative to create Latvian Intelligent Transports Systems Association was voiced. This association would work as LAICT branch to help develop different transport technologies and mobility solutions. Solutions like that would help save time, avoid accidents, reduce congestion and take care of the environment in the future. 5G is expected to develop very rapidly in this field, BNN was informed by organizers of the reform.
«Technological innovations in 5G and the age of artificial intelligence will depend on our cooperation abilities and clever use of existing resources. We over at LMT work tirelessly to develop new products. Additionally, together with other companies, state administration representatives and universities we participate in creation of innovation-friendly environment to further strengthen Latvia’s competitiveness to make it a smart country,» said LMT President Juris Binde at the conference.
ICT industry should keep on learning and assisting other sectors in adopting new technologies. As for all of us – we should spend time to learn new skills in this age of artificial intelligence before 2022. Artificial intelligence can help use resources and capabilities more effectively, as well as support creative sectors – music, medicine, art, education, sports – where it is possible to expand people’s proficiency, experts say.
A cyclone dictated weather at the end of last week. Under its influence rain clouds formed above Latvia, bringing moderate rainfall to most of the country’s regions. The cyclone also caused increased wind speed: 20-23 m/sec.
Monday’s air temperature will reach +15° C… +20° C.
Warmer masses of air will flow into the country at the beginning of the week. This means precipitation will back off and weather will be warm. As air temperature gradually increases, it will be around +27° C… +28° C at the end of the week. Night-time air temperature will be around +9° C… +14° C.
At the end of the week, a cold atmospheric front will pass through Latvia from the north-west, bringing colder masses of air to the country. Air temperature will drop again and there will be more rain.
The government supported Economy Ministry’s amendments in two sections: rules for production of electricity and price-calculation when producing electricity in co-generation and rules for production of electricity using renewable energy resources and price-calculation.
The goal of those rules is improving state support for end consumers of electricity, ensuring more efficient use of electricity and predictability of costs, as well as introducing stricter control mechanisms for CHP plants and requirements for provision of support.
To ensure accurate record keeping of electrical energy, heating energy and fuel, Economy Ministry proposes adopting rules to perform records at least once a day for produced electricity and heating energy and at least once a month for fuel used in energy production. This data is to be stored for at least five years.
Rules also state that CHP plans that have not yet commenced energy production have to reach electricity production output of at least 50% of their planned volume within the term provided for the issue of an MPC permit.
The current head of Latvia’s Office for Prevention of Laundering of Proceeds Derived from Criminal Activity has decided to participate in the open selection process to stay in his post for a repeated term.
The 61-year-old Burkâns has confirmed that he would like to stay for another four-year term. He will likely submit his application next week.
«I have invested all of my effort in the service. I have not looked at other job opportunities. I needed time to assess the situation surrounding the service,» said Burkâns.
The chief of the service mentioned that the fight against crime will never be over. Still, he wants to keep working in the service to make sure the next officers would receive cases in the best possible condition. «I’m not saying cases do not fit international requirements. It is worth mentioning that requirements change all the time,» said Burkâns.
He mentioned that his service works in a very narrow range, which requires deep knowledge in law, financial affairs and money laundering prevention measures. «There is no institution in Latvia that trains officers in money laundering prevention – this is something we have to learn in time,» adds Burkâns.
«Based on what I’ve heard from colleagues, they want me to stay, because it would be hard for them to work with someone else. Officers have an appropriate knowledge level – any newcomer would automatically be below their level. Decisions in regards to freezing money should be made within a day or even half an hour. Such decisions have to be made quickly and efficiently,» said Burkâns.
The State Chancellery has announced an open contest for the post of the head of the Office for Prevention of Laundering of Proceeds Derived from Criminal Activity.
Candidates have to submit documents to the State Chancellery before 20 March. Candidates will be assessed by a special committee and picked by the prosecutor general.
Burkâns has remained in his post since 1998. His current term ends 31 May.