Your Excellency Madam Governor-General,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted to host Your official visit to Latvia. This is a historic day as this is the first visit of Australia’s Governor-General to Latvia.
It marks a special point in Latvia-Australia relations. It demonstrates that we are close friends who are building an ever-closer cooperation. More importantly, in a month from now we will mark the 35 years since establishment of diplomatic relations between Latvia and Australia.
Our countries are thousands of miles apart. When we say, “Good morning!” on this side, you say, “Good night!” on your side. But no distance can keep our people apart.
After the World War II, Australia gave shelter to thousands of Latvians fleeing the Soviet occupation. We remain forever grateful to Australia and its people for opening its doors. For giving a helping hand and letting Latvians live in a free country. To Latvia, Australia is much more than a distant continent on the map. It is a place where a part of Latvia’s story keeps living.
Opening the Latvian Embassy in Canberra in 2022 confirms it. I hold fond memories of the moment. I was honoured to raise the Latvian flag above the new embassy building.
Excellencies,
Australians will always be welcome friends in Latvia. Many of us know the Neighbours and McLeod's Daughters. These series taught us three things: Australia has lots of sun, lots of sheep and you should never bid farewell to TV characters prematurely.
However, here in Latvia we can see Australia also off the TV screens. We are very happy to see more and more travellers from Australia on the streets of Riga. Even Kylie Minogue chose to shoot her wonderful Christmas-themed video last year right next to the Castle Square.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Ties between our countries are growing fast. In trade and investment. There is a growing interest among businesses to cooperate through defence industry, especially drone technologies. There is a growing number of collaborations in innovations and science.
We are happy to see that Australia has named Latvian Elizabete Kalnozola one of the leading artificial intelligence ethics researchers in the world.
Latvia and Australia are bound by shared commitment to defend freedom and democracy, as demonstrated during the World War I when 157 Latvian troops joined the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. We became brothers in arms then, connected over courage and support.
We are bound by common values to this day. Committed to defend the international rules-based order. As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Latvia contributes to this goal every day.
Latvia supports closer cooperation between Australia, the European Union and NATO. Although geographically far apart, we face the same challenges. Challenges we can solve together.
We firmly support Ukraine and its fight against Russian aggression. We know that peace cannot be taken for granted. International law must be upheld not only in words, but also through action. We highly appreciate Australia’s unwavering support to Ukraine.
Dear friends,
For us, Australia is both distant and close. We, Latvians, are certain that Crocodile Dundee was Arvids Blumentals or “Crocodile Harry" from Dundaga, Latvia. But it doesn’t really matter what the truth is.
We will always remember Sydney Olympics with special fondness. In Sydney we won the first Olympic gold medal since the restoration of our independence. And it wasn’t the only Olympic gold won by Latvians and brought home from Australia.
Despite occupation of Latvia in 1956, Latvian javelin thrower Inese Jaunzeme won Olympic gold in Melbourne. And last year we could cheer for our female beach volleyball team as they were crowned the world champions in Adelaide.
We wish Australia luck, determination and energy ahead of the Summer Olympics in Brisbane in 2032.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
Latvians usually say there is no place too far to make friends in this world. Australia is almost on the other side of the world, but tonight it feels closer than ever.
As children, almost all of us wondered what it might be like to live “upside down”. I imagine many of you remember having similar thoughts.
We are often surprised about the cheerfulness of Australians. You come from a place that has plenty of sharks, crocodiles, venomous snakes and spiders of all sorts. Whereas we only know bears, ticks and occasional beavers wandering into the city.
That is the essence of Australia – a combination of courage and optimism. And magnificent nature, of course.
Your Excellency Madam Governor-General,
Let me raise this glass to You and Your health. To the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and the people of Australia.
