Foreign Ministry to host postmarking of commemorative envelope for 125th anniversary of first Latvian foreign minister Meierovics

On 3 February from 9 am to 4:30 pm, to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the first Foreign Minister of the Republic of Latvia Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host the special postmarking of the first day envelope organised by Latvijas Pasts in association with the Foreign Ministry. Besides, the event for launching the postmarked first day cover will be held at 3 pm in the Meierovics Room, with participation of the Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs, the Minister of Transport Aivis Ronis and Ms Ingrīda Meierovica, daughter-in-law to Zigfrīds Meierovics.

One of Latvia's most notable statesmen and public figures Zigfrīds Meierovics (born on 5 February 1887 at Durbe) was the first Foreign Minister of the Republic of Latvia. After the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia on 18 November 1918, the People's Council of Latvia appointed Meierovics Foreign Minister on 19 November. Under his leadership the Latvian foreign service was set up, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a network of diplomatic and consular representations abroad, and basic directions and tasks for the country's foreign policy were defined.

Minister Meierovics undertook far-sighted diplomatic activity and successful organisational measures to achieve our country's international de iure recognition. This came true on 26 January 1921. No less important for safeguarding Latvia's statehood were peace treaties with the Soviet Russia and Germany signed in 1920. Through the mediation of the arbitration court, the Latvia-Lithuania and Latvia-Estonia borders were established. Persistently and in a dynamic manner, he made efforts to put into practice the idea of a coordinated action of the Baltic states in the international arena by establishing a union of those states, or the Entente.

Two times Meierovics held the position of Prime Minister, while remaining Foreign Minister, and was a member of the Constitutional Meeting and the First Saeima.

The first day cover commemorating Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics' 125th anniversary has been issued in an edition of 1000 copies; the author of the design is artist Ģirts Grīva.

Stamp-collectors, diplomats, the media representatives, and others who may be interested are invited to take part in the event.

As reported earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a reception to mark the 125th anniversary of Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics and the 91st anniversary of the international de iure recognition of the Republic of Latvia. On 26 January in the Forest Cemetery, representatives from the Foreign Ministry laid flowers at Meierovics' grave. An exhibition commemorating the first Foreign Minister is on display in the Meierovics Room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Press and Information Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia

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