Māris Klišāns – Picture by Latvian Embassy in the Netherlands.
Friday, 29 January 2021, Madrid, Kingdom of Spain: Ambassador Māris Klišāns has been accredited to Spain before His Majesty King Felipe VI at the Royal Palace. The ceremony took place in the presence of Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arancha González Laya.
Given that Latvia and Spain are celebrating the centenary of their diplomatic relations in 2021, the Ambassador renewed the invitation from the President of Latvia, Egils Levits, for the King of Spain to visit Latvia to celebrate this landmark event. His Majesty welcomed the news that the embassies of both countries are working on events to commemorate the centenary of diplomatic relations.
This year marks the centenary since Spain recognised Latvia de jure and diplomatic relations were established on 9 April 1921.
Three decades ago on 27 August 1991, Spain recognised the restoration of Latvia’s independence, and this was followed by the resumption of diplomatic ties on 9 October 1991. Māris Klišāns is the eighth Latvian Ambassador to Spain since the restoration of Latvia’s independence and the thirteen diplomatic representative of Latvia accredited to Spain since Spain recognised Latvia’s independence on 9 April 1921.
Māris Klišāns began his career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1992. He has been posted Ambassador to Norway, The Netherlands and Greece, and non-resident Ambassador to Iceland, Cyprus and Serbia as well as Permanent Representative of Latvia to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
For further information
Embassy of Latvia in Spain and Andorra: https://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/news/latest-news/67416-ambassador-maris-klisans-presents-credentials-to-king-felipe-vi-of-spain
Latvia – Bigger than you think by Ambassador Māris Klišāns: http://www.diplomatmagazine.eu/2013/11/03/latvia-bigger-think/