27/08/2026
On 27 August 2026, 🇱🇻, 🇪🇪 and 🇱🇹 marked 35 years of diplomatic relations with 🇦🇺
To celebrate this occasion, 🇱🇻 Ambassador Samija Šerifa, together with her 🇱🇹 and 🇪🇪 colleagues, hosted a friendly gathering welcoming Australian colleagues from Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including Acting Deputy Secretary Chris Cannan, Defence Australia, colleagues from Baltic Embassies and representatives of 🇪🇪🤝🇱🇻🤝🇱🇹 communities in Canberra.
🗣️ Ambassador Šerifa in her opening remarks expanded on the history of Baltic-Australian relations that is much longer than 35 years. As an example she mentioned Kārlis Miķelis (Carl Michael) Alksne – the first Latvian Consular Agent in Sydney, Australia. Mr Alksne was appointed in this role in September 1921 after serving as an soldier in France.
🙏 Ambassador Šerifa thanked the 🇱🇻🇪🇪🇱🇹 communities in Australia for their unwavering support to the freedom and independence of the Baltic peoples thorough the years, as well as for nurturing and upholding our languages, culture and traditions in Australia.
📃 Samija Šerifa quoted the historic statement of 🇦🇺 Prime Minister Hawke on 27 August 1991 when he wrote:
“The Government has decided today to establish full diplomatic relations with the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Australia is proud to be among the first nations to take this step. This fulfils the long-held dream of the many Baltic people who have made their homes in Australia, and who have made such a magnificent contribution to our national life in many fields.”
Long live Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania! Long live Australia! Long live the friendship between our nations! 🇦🇺🇪🇪🇱🇻🇱🇹🫶
📸 Embassy of Latvia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs Australian Embassy, Sweden Lietuvos ambasada Australijoje / Embassy of Lithuania in Australia Embassy of Estonia in Canberra Latvian Federation of Australia and New Zealand Canberra Latvian Society Laikraksts "Latvietis" Diaspora LV Latvijas Republikas Saeima Ministru kabinets / Government of Latvia