Dear visitor, Welcome to the  website of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Riga. The embassy staff and I are proud to work for the benefit of the relations between our two countries. The integration of Latvia into the European Union is on a steady course, and those of you who last visited Latvia in the ‘90’s will not recognize present Latvia. Much has changed. The democracy, the level of involvement of the population, but most of all the increased self-awareness of the population and their faith in the future. Since Latvia’s accession to the EU the two have been inextricably linked. Latvia’s signing of the Schengen-treaty strengthened this bond. This also affects our embassy. The issuance of visas used to be one of our main tasks. However, this year we expect less than 10 applications. Developments are coming fast. In the ‘90’s the interest of the Netherlands in this part of Europe was small, but by now that has changed. One example is trade. The trade between the Netherlands and Latvia has gone up from 1 million euros in 1991, to almost 500 million euros in 2006. In 2007 trade is expected to reach 600 million euros! Also the trade missions, study trips and events keep a steady pace. Often not on the highest political level - although these missions occasionally still visit Latvia - but mostly the practical implementation of what was decided at a higher level. In the course of 2007, critical comments on the Latvian economy have increased, not without reason. Especially the high inflation rate is a cause for concern. There is a growing consensus among observers that the Latvian economy, which showed a growth of around 8% since 1998, will have difficult times ahead. This is a natural development that doesn’t change anything about long term favourable prospects. Foreign investments are up, the first EU-funds are being spent, and Latvian employees abroad are transferring hundreds of millions of euros a year. Furthermore, we can see the Latvian economy interlocking more and more with the economies of the Nordic countries, while at the same time economic relations with Russia and other neighbours are being renewed. I share the opinion of those analysts that predict a ‘soft landing’ for the Latvian economy in 2008. After the first successful edition of Holland Days in Latvia in 2007, we will organize the second edition in April this year. Step by step the different activities for Holland Days are taking shape. This year, we will organize, among others, a symposium on bilateral relations, an exhibition about navigation, musical performances and several commercial events. It is good to see more organizations coming to us with their own ideas on how to contribute to the Holland Days. For example, the Northern provinces of the Netherlands have decided to focus their attention on the Baltic region after the European Committee named the Baltic states the most promising region of Europe. For the programme of the Holland Days 2008 please check our website. Even wonderful countries like Latvia can be disappointing at times. Even though Latvian ladies will look at me with incomprehension when I express my unhappiness with the bad winter this year, I truly am disappointed in my fourth and final winter in this Baltic state. This worst winter in decades resembles too much the Dutch drab and rainy weather and not the clear blue skies, frozen lakes and snow-capped hills I have come to love. This winter is merely 5 months of endless grey skies and a lack of sunshine. No skiing, no skating, however, there are more opportunities to enjoy Latvian culture and music. Robert Schuddeboom Netherlands Ambassador February 2008