Riga’s Twin Cities
Riga maintains contacts with its partner cities in Europe, Asia, Australia and the USA, as well as continues searching for opportunities to expand cooperation with its current sister cities.
Almaty (Kazakhstan)
(~ 1 348 500 residents)
http://www.almaty.kz
Cooperation with Almaty was started pursuant to the Agreement signed between the Riga City Council of the Republic of Latvia and the Astana Akimat of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of economy, trade, scientific and technological cooperation, healthcare, culture, education, tourism and sports.
Cooperation between the cities:
06 - 10.10.2004. The Riga City Council delegation headed by Mayor G. Bojārs visited Almaty and Astana, where it joined the official delegation of President of Latvia Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga during her official visit to Kazakhstan.
17 - 18.07.2006. President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev paid an official visit to Latvia. During the visit, an Agreement was signed between the Riga City Council and Astana Akimat in the fields of economy, trade, scientific and technological cooperation, healthcare, culture, logistics, education and the social sphere.
Specific cooperation activities were elaborated within the framework of the Agreement for the period of 2006 – 2008, involving the City Development Department, the Culture Department, the Environment Department and the Riga Tourism Coordination and Information Centre. The cooperation also anticipated regular Riga Days in Astana and Astana Days in Riga.
Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
(~ 755 000 residents)
http://www.iamsterdam.com
On 22 May 2003, an Agreement on Cooperation between Riga and Amsterdam was signed for the period of four years. The signed Agreement formed the basis for the mutually beneficial cooperation that comprised wide areas, including common historical heritage and modern infrastructure projects. On 7 June 2007, the Agreement on Cooperation between the cities was extended for the period of 2007 – 2011.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
29 - 31.05.2008 – Riga Days in Amsterdam
Within the framework of Riga Days in Amsterdam, the Riga City Council delegation headed by Mayor J. Birks visited Amsterdam. The cooperation between the Riga and Amsterdam municipalities and the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in the Netherlands (Ambassador B. Braže) has brought various events and exhibitions to Amsterdam’s Westergasfabriek Park. The park has hosted the opening of the sculpture exhibition Homo Urbanus – Homo Sapiens? featuring pieces by Riga artists and the Pink House installation erected in the park was used for photo exhibitions devoted to Riga’s art nouveau architecture and the All Latvian Song and Dance Festival (When Many Become One), as well as for the demonstration of the programme of Latvian animated films for children and adults.
Among the most interesting events during the visit of the official delegation of Riga City Council to Amsterdam were the meetings of interest groups, the discussion of current events with corresponding specialists from the Amsterdam Municipality structural units, a seminar specially arranged for the Riga City Council delegation regarding the largest projects and Amsterdam’s marketing strategy and excursions to the V. Van Gogh Museum, the new concert hall (Muziekgebouw), the new public library and the city archives.
10 - 13.07.2008. Within the framework of the 24th All Latvian Song Festival and the 14th Dance Festival, Riga was visited by Amsterdam Deputy Mayor and Advisor in Cultural Affairs Carolien Gehrels and Head of the Foreign Affairs Department of Amsterdam City Council Gerard Pieters.
14 - 15.11.2008. An official visit to Riga was paid by Mayor of Amsterdam Job Cohen. The purpose of the visit was to receiving an award from the Republic of Latvia – the Cross of Recognition (Croix de la Reconnaissance) of the 2nd class – as it was the Mayor of Amsterdam who initiated the cooperation between Riga and Amsterdam. This cooperation was confirmed by the Agreement signed in 2003 and its extension signed in 2007. The personal commitment, concern and support of Mr. J. Cohen were emphasised, as it was largely due to his work that successful practical cooperation was implemented in such fields as urban infrastructure and transport, urban planning, social integration, education and issues related to municipal police operation, ensuring an exchange of delegations, meetings and expert consultations.
Astana (Kazakhstan)
(~ 600 200 residents, the capital city of Kazakhstan)
http://www.astana.kz
The Memorandum of Intent on cooperation was signed 23.10.1998. The Agreement on economic, trade, scientific and technological cooperation and in the field of healthcare, culture, education, tourism and sports was signed 18.07.2006.
Bordeaux (France)
(~ 250 000 residents, the 9th largest city in France)
http://www.bordeaux.fr
The Cooperation Agreement with the Aquitaine Region was signed 2 July 1993. Since then, the exchange of official delegations and the experience of specialists in urban planning, communication and cultural events has taken place.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
19 - 24.05.2008 – A delegation from the cities of Lyon and Bordeaux paid a visit to Riga with the purpose of signing a trilateral agreement between Lyon, Bordeaux and Riga on cooperation in the field of cultural and historical heritage preservation, as well as to become acquainted with Riga architecture and the city development plans.
12 - 15.11.2008. Chairman of the Riga City Council Education, Sports and Youth Committee J. Zaķis visited Bordeaux pursuant to the invitation of the Bordeaux Academy Rector’s Office to participate in the “Bordeaux Academy in the European Context” meeting of European institutional partners, wherein educational specialists from different European countries discussed issues related to education management, the evaluation system and integration of children with disabilities into educational institutions.
2007
20 - 23.03.2007. Within the framework of the French Spring in Latvia Festival, Mayor of Bordeaux A. Juppe and an official delegation of 30 persons visited Riga.
The following events took place within the framework of the visit:
The Riga – Bordeaux: City Projects conference (opened by Riga City Council Chairman J. Birks), with presentations by Riga City Council Deputy Chairman A. Ludviks and Mayor of Bordeaux A. Juppe and the participation of 100 representatives from different areas;
Opening of the Bordeaux Colours: the Vineyard World, World Vineyards exhibition in the Riga City Council foyer and initiation of the Riga City Council Deputy Chairman as the Bordeaux Wine Ambassador;
Official opening of the French Spring in Latvia Festival at the Latvian National Museum of Art (speeches given by President of Latvia V. Vīķe-Freiberga, Mayor of Bordeaux A. Juppe, S. Veila and I. Lancmanis);
- Opening of the Fauvism Look Exhibition from the Bordeaux Art Museum at the Latvian National Museum of Art;
(22.03)
- French-Latvian Cooperation business conference in Reval Hotel Latvija.
27 - 29.05.2007. Visit of the Bordeaux official delegation (2 persons) headed by Special Advisor in International Relations of the Mayor of Bordeaux J. Valade within the framework of the French Spring in Latvia Festival.
28.05. - Reception at Riga City Hall, talks with Riga City Council Chairman J. Birks. Awarding winners of the competition in Bordeaux, organised by the French Cultural Centre in Riga (three grants for summer courses in Bordeaux);
- Meeting Bordeaux – Riga Cooperation Balance and Perspectives;
- Unveiling of the Admiral Brison memorial plate at Riga Palace
- Initial presentation of the research Poetry Logics: Structure and Poetics of Dainas prepared by V. Vīķe-Freiberga in French (the event took place at Riga Palace).
29.05. - Talks with S. Kalniete, Chairman of the Latvian-French Friendship Group of the Latvian Saeima.
27 - 30.09.2007. Business trip of Chairman of the Riga City Council Committee of Community and Housing Issues I. Gaters to Bordeaux at the invitation of the Local Power Industry Agency.
Bremen (Germany)
(~ 550 000 residents, the 10th largest city in Germany, the capital city of the state of Bremen)
http://www.bremen.de
The friendship agreement between Riga and Bremen was signed for the first time 14 February, 1985, and renewed in 1991. The cooperation takes place in the field of ports, environmental protection, culture, sports, commercial activities, social and healthcare.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
11 - 13.07.2008. Within the framework of the 24th All Latvian Song Festival and the 14th Dance Festival, Riga was visited by Bremen Senator of Finance Karoline Linnert and her Press Secretary Dagmar Bleiker.
30.07 - 13.08.2008. A group of youths from the German Military Cemetery Care People’s Union of Bremen cleaned up the German military cemeteries in Riga and their surrounding areas. On 05.08.2008, the delegation (37 persons) was welcomed at Riga City Council by its Chairman J. Birks.
22 - 24.08.2008. In accordance with Bremen Mayor Jen Bernzen’s invitation to participate in the Marine Holidays and other festive events related to the 650th anniversary of Bremen joining the Hanseatic Union, the city was visited by Riga City Council Deputy Chairman J. Dinevičs.
2007
On 28.01.2007, the Riga Tourism Coordination and Information Centre (RTCIC) participated at the invitation of the Bremen Mayor in the Exhibition of Travelling arranged at the Bremen Airport. Due to Ryan Air airlines starting direct flights from Bremen to Riga on 01.04.2007, Riga enjoyed special attention at this exhibition. The RTCIC Director gave an interview to Lower Saxony Radio and spoke with the Bremen Tourism Information Centre Marketing Department about possible cooperation.
21.02.2007. Representatives of the Riga City Council Foreign Affairs Division, the Riga City Council Culture Department and the Artists’ Union of Latvia met Bremen photographer Olaf Schlote. The Beyond Human Nature photo exhibition scheduled to be shown in the Latvian Museum of Decorative Art and Design in June 2007 was discussed during the meeting. An invitation was planned to be extended to the Bremen City Senate delegation headed by the city Mayor for the opening of the exhibition. The Bremen City Senate chose this exhibition from among several projects to be held in Bremen’s sister city Riga within the framework of events arranged by Germany as the EU’s presiding country.
02 - 04.05.2007. Participation of Riga City Council Chairman J. Birks and Riga Free Port Strategic Planning and Project Management Department Director V. Makarovs in the conference Towards a Future Maritime Policy for the Union: A European Vision for the Oceans and Seas was scheduled. The conference was held in Bremen by the German Federal Communication, Construction and Urban Development Ministry within the framework of events arranged by Germany as the EU’s presiding country. Due to the illness of J. Birks, the conference was attended only by V. Makarovs who, on behalf of J. Birks, read a report and gave a presentation on the experience of Riga in navigation, urban planning with regard to the port territory and future perspectives.
On 07.06 - 09.06.2007, Riga was visited by Senator of Education and Science of the state of Bremen Willi Lemke and a delegation for the opening of the Beyond Human Nature photo exhibition of photographer O. Schlote at the Latvian Museum of Decorative Art and Design. The exhibition was opened at 16.00 on 08.06.2007. At the official opening ceremony, speeches were delivered by Director of the Latvian Museum of Decorative Art and Design A. Krēsliņa, Ambassador of Germany to Latvia Eberhard Schuppius, Riga City Council Chairman Jānis Birks, Senator of Education and Science of the Bremen Federal Land Willi Lemke, Director of the Latvian Museum of Photography V. Auziņš and O. Schlote. Olaf Schlote personally set up and demounted the exhibition with the assistance of two colleagues.
13.08.2007. A delegation of the German Military Cemetery Care People’s Union from the Bremen Federal Land – a group of youths who participate every summer in cleaning up German military cemeteries in Riga and their surrounding areas every summer – were welcomed at City Hall. The guests (36 persons) were hosted by Chairman of the Riga City Council Committee of Community and Housing Issues I. Gaters.
17.08.2007. A delegation from the Mahndorf People’s House of the city of Bremen headed by Mahndorf People’s House Manager T. Prieser was welcomed at City Hall. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of cooperation between the Ritums Culture and Folk Art Centre and the Mahndorf People’s House, as well as to honour Riga within the framework of the City of Riga Holidays, the Mahndorf People’s House brought the children’s exhibition Das Kleine Däumling to Riga. The guests were hosted by Chairman of the Culture, Art and Religion Affairs Committee of the Riga City Council H. Stalte.
08 - 15.09.2007. Riga was visited by 12th Form pupils from Bremerhaven Lloyd High School with their teacher M. Grundmann as the head of the delegation. The educational trip was organised within the framework of the major course in economics – the class visited the Laima chocolate plant, met with 12th Form pupils from Āgenskalns High School and participated in other activities. The trip was organised with partial support from the Riga City Council Foreign Affairs Division.
20 - 24.09.2007. A delegation from the German Military Cemeteries Care People’s Union and the Bremen Federal Land Parliament (18 persons) stayed in Riga. Within the framework of the visit, the official opening of the World War Two joint military cemetery in Beberbeķi took place on 22 September. The event was organised jointly by the German Military Cemeteries Care People’s Union and the Warrior’s Cemetery Committee. At the opening ceremony, speeches were delivered by Riga City Council Deputy Chairman A. Ārgalis, People’s Union President Dr. R. Führer, German Bundeswehr General Inspector V. Schneiderhan, Ambassador of Germany to Latvia E. Schuppius, Latvian Warrior’s Cemetery Committee Chairman E. Upmanis, Latvian National Armed Forces Commander Major General J. Maklakovs and others. This cemetery was the recent largest project for arranging and improving military cemeteries implemented by the People’s Union in Latvia.
21.09.2007. The artistic campaign Die 100 Engel von Huskivadze arranged by Latvian artist G. Huskivadze and Coordinator of The Chalice of Peace International Peace Initiative Fund J. Kaida took place in Bremen. 21 September is annually celebrated in many cities of UNO countries as the International Day of Peace. The main idea of the campaign was to join this campaign with the simultaneous emphasis of good contacts and cooperation between the Hanseatic cities – in this case between Riga and Bremen – as a small contribution to peace in the world. Within the framework of this campaign, 30 graphical works of art were exhibited in the Bremen Marktplatz and later, at an official ceremony at Bremen City Council in the presence of Bremen Federal Land Parliament President K. Weber, were handed over to Bremen kindergartens. The event took place with the organisational support of the Riga City Council Foreign Affairs Division.
16 - 20.10.2007. An official delegation from the Bremen Painters and Varnishers Guild (9 persons) arrived to Riga to visit several boarding and special schools in Riga to take a decision on possible humanitarian aid for the repair of school premises. In total, four schools were visited – the Riga 2nd Special Boarding Primary School (Ludzas iela 43), the Riga Lastādijas Boarding Secondary School (Maskavas iela 178), the Riga 7th Boarding Primary School (Graudu iela 21) and the Riga 3rd Special Primary School (Telts iela 2a). On 16 October, the delegation was hosted at the City Hall by Riga City Council Deputy Chairman J. Dinevičs.
Dallas (USA)
(~ 1 200 000 residents, 3rd largest city in the state of Texas)
http://www.dallascityhall.com/
The sister cities declaration between Riga and Dallas was signed 16 October 1990. It anticipates cooperation in the field of cultural, economic and commercial relations, as well as exchange in the field of education, justice, science and technologies, sports and medical services.
Cooperation between the cities:
The International Dallas Festival took place in October 2008, wherein all of Dallas’ sister cities were presented, including Riga. Various informative materials and souvenirs were sent to arrange the Riga stand.
10.10 - 08.11. Doctor Ieva Lase from the Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital participated with financial support the Riga City Council in the experience exchange programme at the Texas University Southwestern Medical Centre, which took place at the invitation of the Mayor of Dallas within the framework of the Riga-Dallas Cooperation Agreement.
Florence (Italy)
(~ 370 000 residents, the largest city of the Toscana region in Italy and the capital city of this region)
http://www.comune.fi.it/home.htm
The sister cities agreement was signed between Riga and Florence 5 September 2000. Cooperation between the Latvian Academy of Arts and the Florence Port Roman Institute was established pursuant to this Agreement and regular experience exchange trips of students and lecturers took place.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
March 2008. In accordance with the sister cities agreement concluded in Florence on 25 March, 2004, by the Riga and Florence City Councils, which anticipated the exchange of students and lecturers between the Latvian Academy of Arts (LMA) and the Florence Port Roman Institute of Arts, a group of LMA students and lecturers (19 persons) travelled to Florence.
2007
The visit of a group of students and teaching staff from the Latvian Academy of Arts and the Riga City Council representatives to the Florence Port Roman Institute of Arts scheduled for November 2007 was postponed until March 2008.
2004
23.03 - 28.03.2004. The Riga City Council delegation headed by Riga City Council Deputy Chairman Aivars Guntis Kreituss paid a visit to Florence. A Cooperation Agreement was signed during the visit between the Florence and Riga municipalities and the Latvian Academy of Arts and the Florence Port Roman Institute of Arts on the long-term exchange programme between the high schools in the cultural field. The Agreement was signed for four years and anticipated that the Florence and Riga municipalities would ensure the stay of groups of young people and their accompanying adults to facilitate the active exchange, additionally guaranteeing free meals, accommodation, city transport, entrance to museums and guided tours; the participants will cover the visit organisation and travelling expenses.
Calais (France)
(~ 80 000 residents, the largest port city in Northern France)
http://www.calais.fr
The sister cities agreement with the Riga City Northern Region was signed in 1973. Active exchange of cultural groups, exhibitions, sport and official delegations took place until 1993. The Mayor of Calais and the official delegation visited Riga during its 800 anniversary celebrations. The Riga delegation participated in the Calais City holidays in June 2004.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
25 - 28.08.2008. Pursuant to the invitation of Mayor of Calais Natacha Bouchart, Riga City Council Business Activity Coordination Centre Director E. Labanovskis and Project Manager of this Centre J. Unbedahts met with the Calais city representatives to exchange information and to get an idea about the entrepreneurship promoting programmes implemented in the city and the efficiency thereof, as well as to discuss possible further cooperation between various structural units of the Riga and Calais municipalities. Experience of both parties in supporting business activities was discussed and analysed with the Calais Initiative representatives.
Kerns (Australia)
(~ 122 700 residents, a city in Northeast Australia)
http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au
The sister cities agreement was signed between Riga and Kerns in 1990. It anticipates cooperation in such fields as environmental protection, education, sports, tourism, music and arts.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
In August-October 2008, the exhibition of ceramics from sister cities Earth Links took place in Kerns, at which Riga was represented with a fine plastic exposition.
19.09. Former Chairman of the Kerns Municipality Sister Cities Committee Sim Haywards was a guest at the Riga City Council and was welcomed at the Foreign Affairs Department.
2007
A letter was received in 2007 from Kerns Municipality with an invitation to participate in a ceramics exhibition of Kerns’ sister cities in 2008; the Riga City Council Culture Department confirmed the participation.
Latvian Honorary Council Candidate in Kerns Mr. A. Gārša arrived at Riga City Council on a reconnaissance visit. During the visit, further cooperation between Riga and Kerns was discussed and the assistance offered by Mr. A. Gārša to the Riga City Council Culture Department in arranging the ceramics exhibition in Kerns.
Kiev (Ukraine)
(~ 2 819 566 residents, the capital city of Ukraine)
http://www.uazone.net/Kiev.html
The cooperation was determined by the Agreement on Cooperation between the capital cities of the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Ukraine dated 29 May 1998.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
10 - 12.05.2008. Marketing Project Manager of the Riga Tourism Coordination and Information Centre Rudīte Leikuma participated in Europe Day and represented Riga at the Latvian stand.
26 - 27.06.2008. An official visit of President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers to Ukraine (Kiev and Lvov) took place, with the participation of two representatives of Riga City Council – Jānis Birks and Igors Graurs. During the visit, a Protocol of Intent on cooperation between Riga and Lvov was signed.
2007
06 - 11.11.2007. Representatives of the Riga-91 Sports Club participated in the international hockey tournament.
Kobe (Japan)
(~ 1 500 000 residents, the 5th largest city in Japan)
http://www.city.kobe.lg.jp
The agreement on friendship relations between Riga and Kobe was signed in 1974 and renewed in 1991 as the Agreement on Riga (Republic of Latvia) and Kobe (Japan) Friendship Relations.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
From 4 - 11.11.2008, Riga Days were held in Kobe, within the framework of which various events were organised:
A tourism seminar in Tokyo was attended by an unusually large number of guests from Japan (90 persons), representatives of tourist agencies and journalists. During the seminar, presentations were given on tourism opportunities in Latvia and Riga and there was an exchange of contacts between Latvian and Japanese tourist agencies.
A seminar was held on projects of the Riga and Kobe Municipalities, wherein the Kobe representatives were informed about the most significant economic and architectural projects in Riga. A similar presentation was given by the Kobe Municipality representatives, who informed about their largest achievements and future projects.
A business seminar was held in Osaka and was attended by 65 guests – representatives of Japanese businesses. During the seminar, presentations were given on the business and investments environment in Latvia and entrepreneurs gave presentations on their successful experience in cooperation with Japan. Exchange of contacts between the entrepreneurs took place.
In addition to the seminars, several official meetings and receptions were organised during the visit:
Reception of the Riga City Council Chairman for the Tokyo tourism seminar participants and the guests invited by the Embassy.
Visit to Kobe Port, where a presentation on Kobe Port development took place.
Visit to the Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where a meeting with the Chamber administration took place.
Visit to the Mayor of Kobe, where an agreement was achieved on organising Kobe Days in Riga in May 2009.
Official reception by the Mayor of Kobe for the Riga delegation.
Visit to the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a meeting with the Chamber administration.
Meeting with the Osaka city representatives during a business seminar.
Meeting with the Kobe Ooji Zoo Director during a tour of the Zoo.
Official Dinner arranged by the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in Osaka.
The visit was also supplemented by various cultural events:
An exhibition on Riga, which included a photo exhibition of the 2008 Song Festival and two digital exhibitions – Applied Arts in Latvia in the 19th and 20th Centuries and Three Brothers.
Three concerts of the vocal group Cosmos:
- Vocal group Cosmos concert in Kobe municipality;
- Joint concert of Kobe Chorus and vocal group Cosmos;
- Vocal group Cosmos concert in Osaka organised by the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in Osaka.
An official delegation of Riga City Council headed by J. Birks, the Culture Department delegation and the business delegation headed by LIAA Director A. Ozols paid a visit to Japan.
Moscow (Russia)
(~ 10 568 193 residents, the capital city of Russia)
http://www.duma.mos.ru
Cooperation between the cities is determined by the Agreement on Cooperation concluded between Riga City Council and the Government of Moscow on 13.12.2001 in trade, economy, science and technology, humanitarian and cultural areas.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
27.02 - 01.03.2008. A business trip of Riga City Council Education, Sports and Youth Committee Chairman Juris Zaķis, Riga City Council Education, Sports and Youth Committee Director Guntis Helmanis, Riga City Council deputy Viktors Gluhovs and Riga City Council Foreign Affairs Department Protocol Division Manager Viktors Buls, within the framework of exchange of experience to activate the relations between Riga and Moscow specialists in education, as well as to coordinate the Riga City Council and the Government of Moscow cooperation programme for 2008 - 2011.
09 - 12.04.2008. A visit to Riga by the Government of Moscow delegation consisting of: Vladimir Malishkov – the Government of Moscow Minister, George Muradov – Manager of the Foreign Economic and International Relations Department of the Government of Moscow, Valery Anuprienko – First Deputy Manager of the Property Department of the Government of Moscow, Vladimir Lebedev – Deputy Manager of the Foreign Economic and International Relations Department of the Government of Moscow, Andrei Chizhov – Deputy Manager of the Foreign Economic and International Relations Department of the Government of Moscow, Igor Tkach – Deputy Chairman of the Telecommunications and Mass Media Department of the Government of Moscow and Dmitry Stebnev – Advisor of the Foreign Economic and International Relations Department of the Government of Moscow. The main subjects of the talks were the particularisation of the Riga City Council and the Government of Moscow cooperation programme for 2008 - 2011 and possibilities for further development of the cooperation.
15.04.2008. The Riga City Council and the Government of Moscow cooperation programme for 2008 - 2011 was signed in Moscow.
21 - 23.04.2008. A visit by the Riga City Council delegation to Moscow to coordinate the plan of events of the Riga City Council and the Government of Moscow cooperation programme for 2008 - 2011. The delegation consisted of: Helmī Stalte – Chairman of the Culture, Art and Religion Affairs Committee of Riga City Council and Diāna Čivle – Culture Department Director. Negotiations about the possibility of signing an Agreement on Cooperation in the field of culture between the Riga City Council Culture Department and the Government of Moscow Culture Department were continued.
14 - 17.10.2008. Participation of Riga City Council Education, Sports and Youth Committee Director Guntis Helmanis in the Younger Children Education and Upbringing International Pedagogical Forum. An agreement was reached on exchange of specialists in the preschool construction and management issues. The aforesaid agreement between the Riga City Council Education, Sports and Youth Committee and the Government of Moscow Education Department was elaborated and prepared for signing.
05 – 08.09.2008. In accordance with the invitation of Moscow’s Mayor to participate in the Moscow city holidays, Riga City Council was represented at the holidays by Riga City Council Deputy Chairman Almers Ludviks, Chairman of the Riga City Council Committee of Traffic and Transport Issues Andrejs Požarnovs and Chairman of the Riga City Council Committee of Community and Housing Issues Ivars Gaters.
19 - 22.11.2008. An official visit to Moscow took place by the Communal Department delegation headed by Department Director Juris Kuzma to discuss possible cooperation for the next year at the Government of Moscow Housing Committee.
26 - 28.11.2008. The international medical conferences New Technologies in Paediatrics and New Technologies in Oncology were held in Riga, wherein Moscow healthcare specialists also participated.
Minsk (Belarus)
(~ 1 753 245 residents, the capital city of Belarus)
http://www.minsk.gov.by
This cooperation is determined by the Agreement on Cooperation between the Riga City Council and the Minsk City Executive Committee dated 29 March 1999. The cooperation trends: development of transit flows and tourism, environmental protection and culture areas. The exchange of official delegations takes place. There is active work on attracting Belarus investments to Riga Port.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
10 - 13.07.2008. To attend the Song Festival events, Riga was visited by the Minsk City Executive Committee delegation consisting of: Vladimir Karachevsky – Minsk Culture Department Chairman and Natalya Koroleva – Minsk City Pervomaisky District Culture Department Director.
On 23.07.2008 a letter from Riga City Council Chairman Jānis Birks was sent to Minsk City Executive Committee Chairman Mikhail Pavlov with an invitation to consider an opportunity of arranging Minsk Days in Riga in April 2009.
12 - 14.09.2008. Pursuant to the 18.07.2008 letter of the Minsk City Executive Committee Chairman with an invitation to participate in the international marathon devoted to the Minsk City Day, Riga City Council was represented in the marathon by the Riga City Council deputy, Latvian Running Sport Centre Vice-president Deniss Gorba and two more representatives of the Latvian Running Sport Centre.
On 17.09.2008, a reply was received from Minsk City Executive Committee Chairman Mikhail Pavlov confirming the intent to arrange the Minks Days in Riga in April 2009.
On 07.10.2008, the meeting of Riga City Council Deputy Chairman Andris Ārgalis with Ambassador of Belarus in the Republic of Latvia Alexander Gerasimenko and Advisor Valery Dovgan devoted to organising Minks Days in Riga (scheduled for April 2009) took place in the Riga City Council premises. The following subjects were discussed:
- Reception of an official delegation and meeting with the Riga City Council representatives;
- Informing the delegation of entrepreneurs on the Riga development potential;
- Arrangement of a cultural programme, including the days of cinema;
- Sports events;
- Possible participation in the events of Belarusian schools in Latvia.
15 - 16.10.2008. A meeting of the Latvian-Belarus Intergovernmental Commission on the issues of economic, scientific and technological cooperation took place in Minsk. For the first time, the article “On Promoting Regional Cooperation between Riga City Council and the Minsk City Executive Committee” was introduced into the signed proceedings of the meeting, including on arrangement of Minks Days in Riga in the second quarter of 2009. Riga City Council was represented by Ivars Gaters, Chairman of the Board of the Riga Municipal Company SIA Rīgas Pilsētbūvnieks, Jānis Kosītis, member of the Board of the Riga Municipal Company SIA Rīgas Pilsētbūvnieks, and Armands Krūze, Adviser in Foreign Affairs of Riga City Council Deputy Chairman Almers Ludviks.
On 13.11.2008, a meeting of Riga City Council Deputy Chairman Andris Ārgalis and Belarus journalists took place, wherein the journalists were told about the Riga development plans, the cooperation between Riga City Council and the Minsk City Executive Committee and about the Minks Days scheduled for 2 - 5 April 2009.
Norrkoping (Sweden)
(~ 126 000 residents, the East Sweden port city and transport hub, the 8th largest city in Sweden and, together with Linkoping, the 4th metropolis region of Sweden)
http://www.norrkoping.se
The cooperation with the port city Norrkoping of East Sweden (Östergötland, 416 000 residents) is based on the last Agreement on Cooperation between Riga and Norrkoping for the period of 2006 - 2008 signed in Norrkoping on 17 November 2005. The first cooperation agreement was concluded between Riga and Norrkoping in 1988 and was supplemented with a comprehensive plan of cooperation annually. The cooperation took place in transport, culture, education, youth affairs, sports, business activities, social, healthcare, environmental protection and other areas.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
16.11.2008, The 20th anniversary since the start of cooperation between Riga and Norrkoping (the first agreement was signed 16 November 1988). The anniversary festivities to be held in Riga were scheduled for 11 – 13 March 2009 but were prepared throughout 2008.
23 - 25.04.2008. A delegation from Riga (Aija Kalniņa, Agnese Bīdermane, Maruta Bukleviča, Normunds Treijs) travelled to Norrkoping to participate in the first mutual meeting of representatives from both cities devoted to preparation of the festivities.
In May 2008, a return visit of the Norrkoping delegation (two persons) to Riga took place; the plan of celebrations was elaborated further and the events to be performed were approved.
In November 2008, information on the anniversary of the cooperation was placed on the Internet home pages of Riga and Norrkoping municipalities, alongside informative material on the history of the cooperation. On 14 November 2008, Riga City Council Chairman Jānis Birks sent a letter of congratulations to Mayor of Norrkoping Li Teske on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the cooperation.
During 2008, Riga City Council Departments were also implementing measures in accordance with the Riga – Norrkoping 2008 cooperation plan.
10 - 13.07.2008. Three representatives of Norrkoping visited Riga to attend the 24th All Latvian Song Festival and the 14th Dance Festival events. The delegation met with Riga City Council Chairman Jānis Birks.
17 - 19.12.2008. Reception of the Norrkoping delegation, signing of the Riga – Norrkoping 2009 cooperation plan, approval of the 20th anniversary celebration of the Riga – Norrkoping cooperation.
Aalborg (Denmark)
(~ 195 000 residents, the regional centre and a port in Northern Denmark, the 4th largest city in Denmark)
http://www.aalborg.dk
Cooperation with the Denmark’s Northern Jutland regional centre and the port city Aalborg is based on the sister cities agreement concluded in 1991. The cooperation takes place in different areas of the municipality activities.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
29.09.2008. A visit to Riga City Council was paid by Director of the Denmark Culture Institute in Latvia Simon Drevsen Holmberg and Foreign Art Museum Director Daiga Upeniece to reach an agreement on Riga City Council support to the Northern Jutland Museum exhibition in Riga in spring 2009, possibly in March.
Beijing (People’s Republic of China)
(~ 17 500 000 residents, the capital city of the People’s Republic of China)
http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn
On 15.04.2004, an agreement was signed between Riga City Council and Beijing Municipality on cooperation in economic, humanitarian and cultural areas.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
In September 2008, five journalists from the leading Chinese newspapers and magazines arrived in Riga for a week to prepare publications about Riga in different areas – business activities, culture, education, tourism, etc.
20 - 22.10. A delegation from Beijing Municipality headed by the Deputy Chairman of the China People’s Politically Consultative Conference Committee paid a visit to Riga. During the visit, meetings with J. Birks, LIAA representatives, the University of Latvia administration and the Chairman of the Saeima Group of Deputies Ērika Zommere took place for cooperation with the Parliament of the People’s Republic of China.
Pori (Finland)
(~ 76 000 residents, the regional centre of Finland’s Satakunta region and a port on the shore of the Gulf of Bothnia)
http://www.pori.fi
The history of Riga’s cooperation with Pori is the longest one – since 1964. Cooperation with Pori is based on the currently efficient cooperation agreement between Riga and Pori for 2006 – 2010. The cooperation takes place in culture, education, youth affairs, sports, business activities, social, healthcare, environmental protection and other areas.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
The most significant event of 2008 were the Pori 450th anniversary celebrations.
14 - 17.07.2008. The Riga City Council delegation (Jānis Birks, Igors Graurs, Guntis Gailītis, artist Jānis Strupulis, Normunds Treijs), which represented Riga at the anniversary celebrations, travelled to Pori, met with delegations of other sister cities of Pori and participated in the seminar on energy issues in the Baltic Sea area, which was a constituent part of the programme of events. In addition to this, the Riga delegation presented a gift to the city of Pori at an official ceremony – a granite plaque made by artist Jānis Strupulis, in which the text of Riga’s congratulation on the occasion of the Pori anniversary was engraved. On 15 July 2008, the plaque was mounted on the wall of the Pori City Council building. The gift presenting ceremony was held in the presence of President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers and a delegation.
02 - 04.10.2008. Pori City Council First Deputy Chairman Pirko Peltomo and Second Deputy Chairman Peka Velimeki were hosted in Riga. Discussions were held about the 2008 cooperation and the events scheduled for 2009 with regard to the 45th anniversary of cooperation between Riga and Pori, as well as presentation of Riga development facilities to the Pori representatives.
Traditional contacts between the cities continued, for example the exchange in the field of sports – in autumn 2008, boxers from Riga and Pori participated in the A. Knīts memorial tournament and the Scandic Boxing Tournament.
In 2008, Mayor of Pori Aino-Maija Luukkonen was nominated for the highest award of the Republic of Latvia for her significant contribution in promoting the cooperation between Riga and Pori.
2007
03 - 06.07.2007. The central event of 2007 in cooperation with Pori was a visit of Mayor of Pori Aino-Maija Luukkonen and Pori City Council Chairman Mikko Elo to Riga from 3 - 6 July 2007 with regard to the cooperation agreement between Riga and Pori for 2006 – 2010. The visit had a celebratory feel to it due to the successful cooperation of the Pori Jazz and Rīgas Ritmi Festivals held seven years in succession with the support of the municipalities. During the visit, a reception of representatives of the Riga and Pori municipalities took place at the Embassy of the Republic of Finland to Latvia. The Pori delegation met with Riga City Council Chairman J. Birks and Riga City Council Chairman A. Ludviks. A wide range of cooperation aspects was discussed and an invitation was received to the Pori 450th anniversary celebrations in July 2008.
04.06.2007. The Pori city administration sent an official invitation to the Riga City Council Chairman for the Pori 450th anniversary celebrations. It was decided to present a gift from the city of Riga to Pori in cooperation with RPA Rīgas Pieminekļu Aģentūra. A meeting was held with the Riga City Executive Director on the volume and content of the gift and a visit of Riga representatives to Pori was scheduled in the same year to agree on the circumstances of presenting the gift. The visit took place from 18 - 20 December 2007.
Traditional contacts between the cities were continued, for example, for the exchange in the field of sports – in autumn 2007, boxers from Riga and Pori participated in the A. Knīts memorial tournament and the Scandic Boxing tournament.
In August 2007, the Pori City Council administration – Esa Vaalmanis and Pekka Velimeki – initiated the organisation of a golf competition and a meeting for administration of the municipalities. Consultations were held with the help of IJSD on the possibilities of organising this event.
Rostock (Germany)
(~ 200 000 residents, the largest city of the German Federal Land of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)
http://www.rostock.de
In October 1974, Riga and Rostock concluded the first sister cities agreement on exchange of delegations and experience. The new Agreement on Cooperation between Riga and Rostock was signed on 8 November, 1991, in Rostock.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
22 - 24.05.2008. In accordance with an invitation from Mayor of Rostock R. Metling to participate in the Kuehnle Tours company’s ship christening and naming it RIGA at an official ceremony, as well as to discuss the jointly performed activities with regard to the Hanse Sail 2008 Festival to be held in Rostock in August, Riga City Council Deputy Chairman Almers Ludviks and Press Secretary of Riga City Council Deputy Chairman Aiga Nebare visited Rostock.
10 - 13.07.2008. Within the framework of the 24th All Latvian Song Festival and the 14th Dance Festival, Riga was visited by Rostock Parliament President Liesel Eschenburg and International Relations Division Manager of the Rostock Mayor’s Office Angelika Scheffler.
07 - 09.08.2008. Pursuant to an invitation of Mayor of Rostock R. Metling to participate in the official reception and other important events, which took place in Rostock on the occasion of the HANSE SAIL 2008 International Sailing and Navigation Festival, Chairman of the Riga City Council Education, Sports and Youth Committee J. Zaķis travelled to Rostock. The HANSE SAIL cultural programme was arranged with participation of TDA DANCIS, Podziņas vocal group and the Plastika, Saule, Zīle and Rīdze applied arts studios.
2007
09 - 11.08.2007. Riga City Council Deputy Chairman J. Dinevičs participated in the 17th HANSE SAIL 2007 International Festival events.
Saint Petersburg (Russia)
(~ 4 624 100 residents)
http://gov.spb.ru
Until 2006, the cooperation between Riga and Saint Petersburg was determined by the Protocol on Cooperation signed between Riga City Council and Saint Petersburg administration on 4 October, 1997, with an Appendix International Cooperation Programmes in the Baltic Region. On 23 March 2006, during the Saint Petersburg Days, a new Agreement was signed between Riga City Council and the Government of Saint Petersburg on cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, science, technology and culture.
Cooperation between the cities:
2004
01 - 02.04.2004. Saint Petersburg was visited by the Riga City Council delegation following an invitation to participate in the regular meeting of the Baltic Metropoles Network (BaltMet Network) and a seminar on strategy of innovations.
On 20.07.2004, as well as several times during 2004, Saint Petersburg was visited by representatives of a/s Rīgas Dārzi un Parki under the leadership of the company Director and Riga City Council deputy A. Kalnkazins to discuss arrangement of the Riga Park in Saint Petersburg. In 2004, arrangement of the Riga Park in Saint Petersburg was completed.
22 - 30.08.2004. Riga was attended by the Harmony Children and Youth Choir from Saint Petersburg to participate in the international camp of children and youth choirs organised by the Riga Pupils Palace.
In 2004, an Agreement on Cooperation was concluded between the Saint Petersburg Admiralty District Administration and the Riga Latgale Urban District Executive Directorate.
2005
On 11 - 12.01.2005, the City Development Department specialists participated in the project Become – Baltic Electronic Business Communication and Meetings.
On 16 - 20.02.2005, the Riga City Council delegation headed by Culture Committee Chairman D. Īvāns participated in shooting a video about the 1905 revolution.
2006
On 22 - 25.03.2006, the Saint Petersburg Days took place in Riga, during which the Agreement on Cooperation between Riga and Saint Petersburg was signed and cultural, sports and tourism promoting events were organised, as was a business forum. A delegation comprising more than 100 persons headed by Vice Governor of Saint Petersburg V. Lobko arrived in Riga.
2007
18 - 21.05.2007. A delegation of sport dancers from Riga visited Saint Petersburg.
13 - 14.06.2007. Due to Riga being the Chair City of the Baltic Metropoles Network (BaltMet), Riga City Council Deputy Chairman A. Ludviks visited Saint Petersburg to chair the Meeting of Officials of the Baltic metropolises.
28.06.2007. The presentation of a newly opened Saint Petersburg Information and Transactions Centre took place in the Riga City Council premises.
25 - 29.07.2007. The youth hockey team from Riga visited Saint Petersburg.
20 - 23.09.2007. Riga Days took place in Saint Petersburg, within the framework of which a meeting was held with Saint Petersburg Governor V. Matviyenko. Other cultural events (concerts by I. Galante, M. Briežkalns, I. Busulis, vocal group Cosmos and others), an economic and architectural forum, a friendly football match between the FK Rīga and Smena teams and a tourism seminar in the General Consulate of the Republic of Latvia were also held. The Riga City Council delegation headed by Riga City Council Chairman J. Birks visited Saint Petersburg.
2008
28.08.2008. A photo exhibition from Saint Petersburg was opened in the Riga City Council premises. Riga City Council Chairman Jānis Birks and the Saint Petersburg administration delegation participated in the exhibition opening.
2009
12 - 14.11.2009. Saint Petersburg Days took place in Riga, during which cultural, sports and tourism promoting events were organised and a seminar on business cooperation between Riga and Saint Petersburg was held.
Santiago (Chile)
(~ 5 145 500 residents, the capital city of Chile)
http://www.ciudad.cl
The friendship agreement was concluded in 1997.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
27.03 - 04.05.2008. The Another America photo exhibition from Latin America of photos from six Latin American countries (Chile, Brasilia, Columbia, Mexico, Uruguay and Ecuador) was held in five Latvian cities – Riga, Ventspils, Valmiera, Daugavpils and Liepāja. The exhibition was organised by the Honorary Consuls of six Latin American countries and devoted to the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Latvia. Chile was represented at the exhibition opening by the Honorary Consul in Latvia.
2007
09.10.2007. Riga City Council was visited by H.E. Ovid Harasich, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Chile. Future cooperation between Riga and Santiago was discussed during the talks with J. Birks. The Ambassador informed that Honorary Consuls of the Latin American and Caribbean states in the Republic of Latvia, the embassies of the corresponding states planned to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Latvia in 2008 in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia and state and municipal institutions by organising a photo exhibition in several Latvian cities.
Stockholm (Sweden)
(~ 750 000 residents, the capital city of the Kingdom of Sweden)
http://www.stockholm.se
Cooperation between Riga and Stockholm is based on the Agreement signed 6 August, 1998, in Riga by Mayor of Stockholm M. Hult and Riga City Council Chairman A. Bērziņš on cooperation in urban development and planning, property management, environmental protection, ports and their infrastructure, promoting cooperation of the municipal enterprises, education, culture and sports, information, tourism promotion and the Riga 800th anniversary issues.
Riga and Stockholm actively cooperate and support each other within the framework of the following international organisations: the Union of Capitals of the European Union, the Baltic Metropoles Network (BaltMet), the Union of the Baltic Cities and the EUROCITIES International Organization of European cities.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
20.10.2008. At the official ceremony in Riga, Vice-Mayor of Stockholm Ulla Hamilton took over the Chairmanship in the Baltic Metropoles Network (BaltMet) from Riga.
Suzhou (People’s Republic of China)
(~ 6 073 000 residents, a city of the People’s Republic of China)
http://www.suzhou.gov.cn
Cooperation between Riga and Suzhou started in 1989.
On 17 April 1996, the Memorandum of Understanding On Establishment of Cooperation between Riga and Suzhou was signed. On 22 September 1997, the Agreement on establishing sister city relations between Riga and Suzhou was signed.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
02 - 06.12.2008. Following an invitation from the World Heritage Training and Research Institute for the Asia and Pacific Region to the Riga cultural heritage experts to attend the World Heritage Cities Traditional Architecture Protection Forum, Head of the Riga City Cultural Monuments Protection Division of the Riga City Construction Board of the City Development Department Viesturs Brūzis and Head of the Architects Group of the Zemgale Urban District of the Riga City Construction Board of the City Development Department of the Riga City Council, Chief Architect of the Urban District Lolita Sarma, participated in the World Heritage Conference with a presentation on restoration of traditional architecture.
2007
25.09 - 02.10.2007. In accordance with an invitation from the Mayor of Suzhou (the People’s Republic of China), the Riga city delegation (J. Birks, V. Buls, I. Spriņķe) participated in the China National Day celebrations in Suzhou and visited Beijing and Shanghai. In Suzhou, there were talks with the city Vice-Mayors and the Head of the Foreign Affairs Department, a visit to the Gardens and Parks Office, the New Suzhou District Technological Park administration, the Suzhou Industrial Park Professional Technical College administration and a hospital.
07 - 10.11.2007. Vice-Mayor of Suzhou Zhu Yongxin paid a visit to Riga with a delegation. During the visit, the guests visited the A. Pumpurs Riga 11th Primary School, the Riga 25th Secondary School and the Riga Technical University, where talks on possible cooperation were held.
02 - 07.12.2007. Following an invitation from the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research to a delegation of the Riga cultural heritage experts to attend the World Heritage Cities Traditional Architecture Protection Forum, Head of the Riga City Cultural Monuments Protection Division of the Riga City Construction Board of the City Development Department V. Brūzis and Chief Architect of the Central Region of the Riga City Cultural Monuments Protection Division of the Riga City Construction Board of the City Development Department I. Birzniece visited Suzhou.
Taipei (Taiwan)
(~ 2 622 000 residents, the capital city of Taiwan)
http://www.taipei.gov.tw
In 1999, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Riga and Taipei was signed, confirming the interest of both cities to cooperate in promoting economic relations, culture, information technologies and other areas. In 2001, a joint declaration of Riga and Taipei on establishment of friendly relations was signed. Since signing this document, assistance has been provided to Riga with the help of the Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia also in other fields – the Marsa Gatve Crisis Centre was supported several times and USD 10 000 were donated to the city of Riga for purchasing computers for schools.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
15.03 - 25.04.2008. Head of the Analytical Planning Division of the Board of Economics of the Riga City Council City Development Department Māra Zīra participated in the Infrastructure Development and Planning training seminar of the Taipei International Land Policy Research and Training Centre.
21.05 - 02.06.2008. Head of the Economic Analysis and Management Information Division of the Finance Department Roberts Remess participated in the Knowledge – Economy and City Competitiveness seminar arranged by the International Land Policy Research and Training Centre.
31.07.2008. Riga City Council Deputy Chairman J. Dinevičs met with the Taipei Mission Manager and First Secretary, as well as participants of the Young Ambassadors 2008 exchange programme.
08 - 13.09.2008. Riga City Council deputy Modris Lujāns participated in the Sustainability and Environment Protection exchange programme of the Taipei International Elite Civil Service Studies.
2007
In 2007, within the framework of the Young Ambassadors youth experience exchange programme, Riga Culture Secondary School student Alise Polačenko visited Taipei. In turn, Chun-Heng CHEN, a young man from Taipei, visited Riga and met with Chairman of the Riga City Council Education, Youth and Sports Department J. Zaķis.
15 - 26.10.2007. Chief Territorial Planner of the Urban Planning Board of the Riga City Council City Development Department M. Liepa Zemeša participated in the exchange programme of the Taipei International Elite Civil Service Studies, where she studied Taipei’s experience in urban planning issues.
16 - 25.11.2007. Chairman of the Riga City Council Education, Youth and Sports Department J. Zaķis visited Taipei, where he participated in the conference on EU – Asia relations.
29.11.2007. Head of the Taipei Mission Mr. David C. Y. Wang arrived to Riga City Council on a reconnaissance visit. During the visit, he invited two representatives of Riga City Council to participate in the Infrastructure Development and Planning training seminar in Taipei to be held from 15.03 - 24.04.2008. The Head of the Mission also expressed his readiness, in case of interest, to take part in arranging the exchange of experience in the transport field.
Tallinn (Estonia)
(~ 420 000 residents, the capital city of the Republic of Estonia)
http://www.tallinn.ee
The cooperation with Tallinn (415 000 residents), the capital city of the Republic of Estonia, is based on the Cooperation Agreement signed between Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius on 18 February, 2005, in Riga.
The cooperation takes place in all fields of municipal activities. It is especially active in culture, education, youth affairs, sports, business activities, transport, social, healthcare, environmental protection and other areas.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
In February 2008, Riga City Council Chairman Jānis Birks sent a letter of congratulations to Tallinn City Council Chairman Toomas Vitsut and Mayor of Tallinn Edgar Savisaar on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Estonia.
27 - 28.03.2008. The Riga City Council delegation (Jānis Birks, Helmī Stalte, Modris Lujāns, Aina Krūkle, Rudīte Leitena, Sandra Inkēna, Maruta Bukleviča, Normunds Strautmanis, Normunds Treijs, Dace Štroberga) participated in the Baltic Capital Cities Forum in Tallinn, where they met administration and delegations of the cities of Tallinn and Vilnius and took part in the Forum meetings.
In spring 2008, Riga was visited by Tallinn Deputy Mayor Jaanus Mutli’s delegation, which was acquainted with the city development, transport and communication, as well business activity issues.
10 - 13.07.2008. Tallinn City Council Chairman Toomas Vitsut and his wife visited the 24th All Latvian Song Festival and the 14th Dance Festival events in Riga. The delegation met with Riga City Council Chairman J. Birks.
27 - 28.10.2008. P/U Rīgas Satiksme Motor Depot Director Raitis Mazjānis visited Tallinn and studied the motor transport provision issues at Tallinn municipality.
2007
The year 2007 passed under the sign of the Union of Capitals of the European Union (UCEU), as Tallinn was its presiding city.
In April 2007, Head of the Riga City Council Foreign Affairs Division L. Lupiķe went on a business trip to Tallinn to prepare the UCEU meeting in autumn.
27 - 28.09.2007. The Riga delegation (J. Dinevičs, S. Liepiņa, L. Kļaviņa, N. Treijs) headed by Riga City Council Deputy Chairman J. Dinevičs took part in the 47th UCEU General Assembly in Tallinn.
In the first half of 2007, there was active correspondence on the municipal election results in Estonia and election of a new Mayor of Tallinn Edgar Savisaar.
In 2007, Tallinn and Turku were approved as the European Capitals of Culture (ECC) in 2011. A letter of congratulations to the Mayor of Tallinn was prepared with gratitude for the materials sent about Tallinn as the ECC.
On 28.05.2007, a visit of Mayor of Tallinn E. Savisaar to Riga was organised, during which a wide range of issues on cooperation between the municipalities was discussed. In the process of the talks and correspondence over the year, the issues of arranging the Forum of Baltic Capitals (FBC) to be held in Tallinn were also held. However, the event was rescheduled for the beginning of 2008 and took place from 8-9 February 2008.
25.05.2007. A visit and reception of the delegation headed by Vice Mayor of Tallinn J. Mutli to Riga was organised and a wide range of problems was discussed, starting with the business activity and traffic issues and up to cooperation in such areas as tourism and culture.
In May 2007, Riga City Council ITC representatives A. Andersons and N. Mahova went on a business trip to Tallinn, where they participated in the E-administration Seminar organised by CEFAL.
21 June 2007. An important visit of Riga City Council Deputy Chairman J. Dinēvičs, Riga City Council Deputy Chairman A. Ludviks and a group of the Riga City Council Communal Department specialists to Tallinn took place on 21 June; about the visit included discussions on cooperation in the public utilities, transport, housing construction and maintenance, environment and education areas.
From 15-16.08.2007, the first trilateral meeting in many years of the Mayors of the Baltic capitals took place on the Saaremaa Island, during which a wide range of problems in cooperation of Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius was discussed. Riga at these talks was represented by Riga City Council Chairman J. Birks and Deputy Manager of the Riga City Council Foreign Affairs Division V. Buls.
In 2007, active contacts with the Tallinn municipality continued within the framework of the Baltic Metropoles Network (BaltMet).
Tartu (Estonia)
(~ 101 000 residents, a regional centre, an old university city and a transport hub in Southern Estonia, the second largest city in Estonia)
http://www.tartu.ee
The cooperation with a significant university city of Tartu is based on the 14 March, 2005, Cooperation Declaration between Riga and Tartu. The cooperation takes place in different areas of the municipality activities.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
20 - 23.05.2008. Following an invitation from the city of Tartu and the Estonian Union of Local Governments, the Riga delegation (Igors Graurs, Laima Lupiķe, Sandra Liepiņa, Lolita Neilande, Normunds Treijs) took part in the conference of Estonian, Finnish and Latvian Local Governments in Veru and presented two reports at the seminar on urban development and environment issues in Tartu. A meeting with the city administration also took place.
10 - 13.07.2008. The Tartu Mayor Deputy, the Heads of the Information Department and the Culture Department visited Riga on the occasion of the 24th All Latvian Song Festival and the 14th Dance Festival events. The delegation met with Riga City Council Chairman J. Birks. Prior to leaving for Riga, the Tartu municipality representatives participated in the commemorative event in Tartu devoted to All Latvian Song Festival Chief Conductor Indriķis Zīle.
A significant event of the Riga and Tartu cooperation was also the traditional cooking art festival National Cuisines of Tartu Sister Cities, which is arranged every autumn. A representative from Riga took part in the 2008 festival.
Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
(~ 1 967 879 residents, the capital city of Uzbekistan)
http://www.tashvil.gov.uz
In 2004, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan I. Karimov paid an official visit to Latvia. During the visit on 07.07.2004, the Agreement on Cooperation between Riga and Tashkent was signed and a gift was presented to the city of Riga – a monument to astronomer Mirzo Ulugbek.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
08 - 14.07.2008. The Tashkent delegation visited the All Latvian Song Festival. The delegation consisted of: Nezomidin Bahtiyarov – Tashkent Mayor First Deputy, Fazlidin Ikramov – Tashkent City Sergeliya District Mayor First Deputy, Alisher Isakov – Director of SJSC Tashkent Advertising Service and Abduazi Mukhrimov – LLC Flora Design Director.
13 - 18.11.2008. A delegation from the Riga City Council and Riga Free Port paid a visit to Tashkent. The delegation consisted of: Andris Ameriks, Leonīds Loginovs, Mihails Kameneckis, Mārtiņš Lauva. During the meeting with the Tashkent City Administration Deputy Chairman Nizomidin Bahtiyerov, the opportunities for further cooperation between Riga and Tashkent were discussed.
2007
04. - On 10.06.2007 the Riga City Council delegation headed by Riga City Council Deputy Chairman A. Ludviks visited Tashkent to participate in talks on the development of projects of the Riga and Tashkent municipalities in tourism, environment, urban property and communication.
Tbilisi (Georgia)
(~ 1 103 000 residents, the capital city of Georgia)
http://www.tbilisi.gov.ge
This cooperation is determined by the 3 April, 2007, Agreement on Cooperation between Riga and Tbilisi.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
09 - 11.07.2008. The Tbilisi delegation visited the All Latvian Song Festival. The delegation consisted of: Mamuka Ahvlediani – Deputy Mayor, Zviad Archuadze – Economy Department Director and Nikolos Inasaridze – Deputy Mayor Assistant.
From 24 - 26.10.2008, at the invitation of the Mayor of Tbilisi, Dainis Īvāns and Sergejs Gomzjakovs visited Tbilisi to participate in Tbilisoba – the annual festivities of the city of Tbilisi.
2007
From 02 - 04.04.2007, the Tbilisi municipality delegation headed by city Mayor G. Ugulava visited Riga. The Agreement on Cooperation between Riga and Tbilisi was signed on 03.03.2007.
From 27.09 – 01.10.2007, the Riga City Council Delegation headed by the Legal Office Director J. Liepiņš visited Tbilisi for an exchange of experience.
Warsaw (Poland)
(~ 1 708 000 residents, the capital city of Poland, the 8th largest city in the EU according to
population)
http://www.e-warsaw.pl
The first Agreement on Cooperation between Riga and Warsaw was signed on 17.10.1997.
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
On 04 - 06.02.2008, Igors Graurs, Riga City Council Foreign Affairs Department Director, Regīna Puriņa, Deputy Director of Sister Cities Division of the Riga City Council Foreign Affairs Department, Dzintra Oga-Vasule, Director of the Arrangements and Information Division of the Riga City Council Culture Department, and Valērija Zirdziņa, International Project Manager of the Riga City Council Culture Department, went to Warsaw on a working visit. The purpose of the visit was to study the Warsaw city experience and the more detailed information on the activities offered by the Warsaw Culture Department and, jointly with the Warsaw City Council representatives, to reach an agreement on the activities to be included into the programme of the Warsaw Culture Days in Riga (17 - 20.04.2008), as well as to agree on the financial side of the arrangements and to make a schedule of the preparatory activities.
From 27 - 28.02.2008, the Warsaw delegation – M. Naimska, Warsaw City Council Culture Department Deputy Director and representatives from Stoleczna Estrada – S. Kowalska, K. Ochnik, P. Łyszczyński, arrived in Riga on a working visit. In the City Hall, the delegation was addressed by Riga City Council Deputy Chairman A. Ludviks. The representatives of Warsaw inspected the venues anticipated for exhibitions and concerts within the framework of the Warsaw Culture Days, discussed their suitability for the corresponding events.
From 14 - 16.04.2008, pursuant to an invitation of Warsaw City Mayor H. Gronkievicz-Waltz to participate in the commemorative events devoted to the 65th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto revolt, Latgale Urban District Executive Director D. Pavlovs went on a visit to Warsaw.
From 17.04 - 20.04.2008, the Warsaw Culture presentation was held in Riga. Its programme included the following activities:
- The cities cartography seminar in the City Hall (reporters: Pawel Wespiński, Warsaw National Archive Keeper, and Jānis Štrauhmanis, Head of the Department of Geomatics of the RTU Faculty of Building and Civil Engineering.
- Opening of the Warsaw cartography exhibition Old Maps of Warsaw in the St. Peter’s Church.
- Opening of the Greetings from Warsaw exhibition of Warsaw old postcards of the 19th and 20th centuries on the 1st Floor of the City Hall.
- Concert of Al Tango Group in the Small Guild Hall.
- Concert of the electronic/jazz music performing Miasto Mania Group, soloist Maria Peszek, in the Great Hall of the Riga Latvian Society.
- Concert of Warsaw folklore groups in the Great Hall of the Riga Latvian Society with participation of the following groups: Dom Tanza, Promni, Village Kollektiv.
During this period, Riga was visited by the Warsaw city official delegation consisting of:
Włodzimierz Paszyński, Warsaw Deputy Mayor;
Małgorzata Naimska, Warsaw Culture Department Deputy Director, and Anna Grocholska, Warsaw City Council Foreign Relations Division Director.
10 - 13.07.2008. Within the framework of the 24th All Latvian Song Festival and the 14th Dance Festival, Riga was visited by Warsaw City Council Culture Department Deputy Director Wanda Gorska.
2007
25 - 28.04.2007. Warsaw was the venue of the BaltMet Network meeting. Riga City Council was represented by Riga City Council Deputy Chairman A. Ludviks and his Assistant B. Buka-Vaivade.
07 - 10.08.2007. The Warsaw city official delegation was received at Riga City Council – Warsaw City Vice-president V. Paszynski, Warsaw Źoliborz District Mayor J. Warakomski and Warsaw Źoliborz District Deputy Mayor V. Sielewicz. During the meeting in the City Hall on 7 August, the guests were addressed by Riga City Council Chairman J. Birks. The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Embassy of Poland. The current successful cooperation between Riga and Warsaw was discussed and an intention was expressed to organise the Warsaw Culture Days in Riga in spring 2008. During the visit, the Warsaw delegation also met Riga Central Region Executive Director V. Starostins and attended the Riga Ita Kozakēviča Polish Secondary School.
In September 2007, Riga City Council Chairman J. Birks received an invitation from Warsaw President H. Gronkievicz-Waltz to visit Warsaw. A reply was sent that the visit of J. Birks could take place in the beginning of 2008 and that it would be expedient if the discussions on the Warsaw Culture Days in Riga could be also joined by representatives from the Riga City Council Foreign Affairs Department and a representative from the Culture Department. The second half of January 2008 was approved as the possible period for the working discussions.
Vilnius (Lithuania)
(~ 580 000 residents, the capital city of the Republic of Lithuania)
http://www.vilnius.lt
Cooperation between the cities:
2008
The cooperation with Vilnius is based on the cooperation agreement signed between Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius on 18 February, 2005, in Riga.
The cooperation takes place in all fields of municipal activities. It is especially active in culture, education, youth affairs, sports, business activities, transport, social, healthcare, environmental protection, monuments protection and other areas.
From 9-11 January 2008, Riga City Council representatives (more than 20 persons) visited Vilnius and, from 4-6 June 2008, a similar delegation from Vilnius arrived to Riga on a return visit. During both visits, various issues of municipal activities were discussed at the seminars.
Starting from March 2008 and to the end of the year, a solemn ceremony of presenting a gift of the Vilnius Angel was prepared. It took place with participation and support of the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Latvia. As Vilnius was announced to be the European Capital of Culture in 2009, the Vilnius city administration turned to its sister cities with an idea to place a sculpture – a gift that would invite residents to the events in Vilnius as the European Capital of Culture. The gift presenting ceremony took place on 17 October, 2008, in the Riga City Hall in presence of Riga City Council Chairman Jānis Birks and H. E. Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania Anatan Vinkus. The sculpture created by artist Vaidas Ramoška was placed on the 3rd Floor terrace of the Riga City Hall. Following the gift presenting ceremony, a seminar on the European Capital of Culture events in Vilnius in 2009 was held in the Riga City Hall.
2007
With regard to the Riga and Vilnius cooperation, plenty of events took place in 2007. In some cases, the assistance in establishing continuous contacts was provided and the Riga City Council institutions cooperated with Vilnius municipal institutions independently.
In January 2007, the Riga City Council Communal Department was provided with the required contact information in Vilnius and they planned further cooperation.
In April 2007, following the elections of municipalities in Lithuania, a letter of congratulations from the Riga City Council Chairman was sent to the new Mayor Juozas Imbrasas.
6 - 8.07.2007. The Riga delegation headed by RD KMRLK Chairman H. Stalte visited Vilnius in accordance with an invitation to the Song Festival in Vilnius from 6-8 July and met the Mayor of Vilnius.
15 - 16.08.2007. A meeting of Mayors of Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn was held in August on Saaremaa Island; a similar meeting was scheduled to be held in 2008 in Lithuania.
In summer 2007, following an instruction of the Riga City Executive Director to exchange information with the Vilnius municipality, the issues of the Rainbow Day were solved by correspondence.
In autumn 2007, the Mayor of Vilnius, with the support of the Embassy of Lithuania, invited Riga City Council Chairman J. Birks to the talks with Lithuanian business representatives in Vilnius. However, this meeting was postponed for a later period, possibly for January 2008.