Latvia and the Council of Europe Accession Latvia became the 34th member State of the Council of Europe on 10 February 1995.

Committee of Ministers
- Maris RIEKSTINS, Foreign Minister
- Peteris Karlis ELFERTS, Ambassador, Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe since July 2004.

Parliamentary Assembly
Latvia is represented in the Parliamentary Assembly by a delegation of 3 representatives and 3 substitutes, including:
- Andris BERZINS (ALDE), head of the delegation.
- Ingrida CIRCENE (EPP/CD), second Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men.

Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Latvia is represented in the Congress by a delegation of 3 representatives and 3 substitutes, including:
- Nikolajs STEPANOVS (EPP/CD), Gulbene, head of the delegation.

Budget
The Council of Europe's ordinary budget for 2009 is € 205 002 000. The contribution of Latvia is € 276 752.70 (i.e 0.1350 %).

Human Rights
Latvia ratified the European Convention on Human Rights on 27 June 1997.
- Judge to the European Court of Human Rights: Ineta ZIEMELE.
- Applications allocated to a decision body (*) in 2008 : 248
- Judgments in 2008: 4 violations
(*) Do not include applications which are at the pre-judicial stage (incomplete case file)

Council of Europe Treaties
To date, Latvia has ratified and signed the following treaties

Council of Europe Information Office
Zane ZVAIGZNE
Director
K. Barona iela 14
LV - 1423 RIGA
Tel/Fax : +371.7.28.68.65
E-mail : centre@coecidriga.lv
http://www.coe.lv

Updated : 02.02.2009