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 18/05/2018
According to Baltic News Network,
Construction output rise in Latvia was more rapid than EU’s average level in Q4 2017
Compared to last year’s October-December, Latvia’s construction output in Q4 2017 grew 19.9%, which is a much more rapid rise than the average in the European Union, according to data published by Eurostat on Thursday, 17 May.
A more rapid construction output than the one in Latvia was recorded in Hungary (+35%) and Slovenia (+26%). A slightly smaller increase than Latvia’s was recorded in Ireland (+18.7%), Poland (+17.7%), Estonia (+16.3%), Cyprus (+12%), Malta (+10.9%) and Lithuania (+10.4%).
Growth below 10% was registered in eighteen countries. Decline was registered in Romania (-2.9%), Spain (-5.8%) and Greece (-21.5%).
Construction output grew 3.3% in bloc countries when compared to the same period a year prior. Average growth in Eurozone member states was 2.7%. At the same time, construction output in EU in a quadrennial perspective has grown 0.7% (0.9% in Eurozone).
Compared to Q3, a more rapid construction output was registered in Slovenia (+13.5%), Greece (+8.6%), Hungary (+6.6%) and Cyprus (+6.3%) in Q4. A decline was registered in Britain (-0.1%), Spain (-1.1%) and Romania (-2.8%). Construction output in this period grew 1.9% in Latvia, 2.5% in Lithuania and 3.1% in Estonia.
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.
On Monday, 12 February, political party Unity asked parties of the coalition to conceptually support the initiative to pay politically repressed individuals benefits worth EUR 100 during Latvia’s centenary, as confirmed by Unity’s Saeima faction.
«Politically repressed individuals have suffered from criminal regimes that had ruled Latvia in the past. But they have never lost faith in a free and independent Latvia. The invitation for the government to decide on symbolic support for the annual congress of Latvian politically repressed. Unity believes the Cabinet of Ministers should make a relevant decision in the nearest future,» comments Unity’s Saeima faction leader Abu Meri.
The party notes that estimates show that a single-time benefit would cost the state budget EUR 1.2 million. The party invites Finance Ministry to come up with proposals for the best sources of funding.