Mr President!
Excellencies!
Ladies and gentlemen!
It is a great honour for me and my delegation to visit Poland. I am delighted to be visiting our close ally and friend, a place where we can truly feel at home.
Our nations share strong and enduring ties. We are like-minded strategic partners with a common understanding of the geopolitical challenges facing the world today.
Mr President,
Thank you for your cooperation and friendship throughout your presidency. You are the most highly honoured foreign leader in Latvia’s history, the only one to have received all three of our nation’s highest state decorations – the so-called Latvian President’s set of honours.
Latvians and Poles have been bound together by close ties for centuries – historically, culturally, and economically. As fate would have it, even my own family tree carries Polish ancestry.
Your Excellency!
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, these bonds have felt even stronger and more significant.
Both Latvia and Poland are at the forefront of providing political, military, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Our nations are actively urging international partners to stand in solidarity with Ukraine in its existential struggle for territorial integrity, sovereignty, and freedom.
We firmly believe that peace must be just. Peace negotiations without Ukraine and Europe are unacceptable.
Latvia appreciates the priorities Poland has set for its Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The European Union must have the courage to make responsible decisions that strengthen our capabilities, drive growth, and enhance cooperation with our partners.
The upcoming Tenth Three Seas Initiative Summit in Warsaw will be a crucial time and place to discuss the connectivity and economic future of our region. Together, we must advance the development of our transport, energy, and digital infrastructure.
Ladies and gentlemen!
We are grateful to Poland for its contribution to strengthening Latvia’s security, both through its participation in NATO’s multinational brigade in Latvia and in the air policing mission.
Our countries have a strong economic partnership. Poland is one of Latvia’s most significant trading partners, and numerous Polish companies operate successfully in our country.
We are pleased to welcome an increasing number of Polish tourists to Latvia, just as more Latvians are choosing Poland as their holiday destination – from Sudety to Białowieża, from Kraków to Gdańsk. Whether enjoying Chopin’s piano concerts in the Royal Łazienki Park or attending the OPEN'er Festival in Gdynia, Latvians always experience Polish unmatched hospitality.
Latvia and Poland also maintain a dynamic cultural collaboration across all artistic fields. We have great admiration for Polish culture and people. A prime example is the fact that Dawid Ogrodnik, a talented Polish actor, was awarded the Lielais Kristaps, Latvia’s equivalent of the Oscars.
Since 2021, the Latvian opera repertoire has included the ballet "Dracula," choreographed by Krzysztof Pastor. Younger theatre-goers at the Latvian Puppet Theatre have appreciated the performance of Polish actress Małgorzata Apse. Cartoon "Lolek and Bolek" is not only a part of your childhood but also ours. Polish culture is an integral part of Latvian culture. Together, we are richer.
We know how to communicate with each other, but even more importantly – we know how to understand one another without words.
Mr President,
I would like to propose a toast to you, to Poland, and to the Polish people! The strength of our nations lies in our ability to understand each other! Let us preserve this forever!