Interview with Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the United States Andris Razans
By Edgar B. Anderson, LAIKS Latvian Newspaper in USA, October 6-12, 2012
August 29, 2012, Clearwater Beach, Florida
Edgar B. Anderson: Why don’t we first hear a little bit about your background? Please introduce yourself to the readers of Laiks.
Ambassador Andris Razans: Yes, I am Andris Razans, 45 years old, born in Latvia in 1967. I have family -- two children, a 25-year-old daughter Zane and a 10-year-old son Hermanis. I was born about 20 kilometers from the Russian border in Tilza, a small, small town, beautiful town in Latgale, and when I was one year old my parents moved to Iecava, in Kurzeme, or Zemgale in today's understanding, about 40 kilometers from Riga, capital of Latvia. My father was a director in a school, and my mother was a teacher. And so I grew up in Iecava. Then I studied in Riga at Latvia University. Well, actually, I have studied a little bit engineering and then history and philosophy. I was very keen to understand the reasons why in the 17th century Sweden was so eager to come and conquer Baltic territories, and that actually led me to Sweden. I studied there as well for some time in Stockholm as a student, and then as a researcher I got a scholarship at Lund University. And in ‘93 I graduated University of Latvia. I joined the diplomatic service, and since ‘93 I have been in the diplomatic service doing different kinds of jobs – as a desk officer for Baltic Nordic countries, and then up to Political Director, my recent position in the Foreign Ministry. And since July I am here in the United States as the Ambassador of Latvia. I presented my credentials at the end of July to the President of the United States.
EA: What are your priorities -- the main things that you are going to be dealing with as Ambassador?
Razans: Well, security of Latvia, economy of Latvia, and Latvian community in the United States.
EA: Let's talk about security. The biggest problem there is Russia. What can you, very diplomatically, say about that?
Razans: Well, the biggest problem, I think, it's the weakness perhaps in Europe these days, that's my understanding. Europe, especially some EU member countries, is in quite a difficult position when it comes to the economic and financial situation. And there is less and less interest among populations in Europe to spend more money for security and defense needs, and I see it as a problem. And then only after that comes everything that relates to, goes to the neighborhood of Europe, and other things that actually we can associate with security and related problems. Russia, well, it’s a neighbor of Latvia, has been a neighbor for a long time and will be there for a very long time certainly. We have to cope with situations, any kind of situations that are developing and might be developing in our neighborhood. I think we know President Putin, his activities, his views from previous times when he was the President. Well, we shall see what he is going to do in Russia.
The other thing I would like to say is that if we compare the Baltic States with the situation, let’s say, just before the Second World War or even 20 years ago immediately after we regained independence, there is a difference. We are part of something big, actually a part of the biggest market in the world, European Union, so that means we can sell our goods, and we can buy goods in a bit bigger market than, well, Russia has. At the same time we’re part of the NATO alliance. That brings us a comfort certainly. We can fully rely on our partners. We are doing our job as well trying to strengthen transatlantic relationships, and that will be my priority here in Washington as well to do everything to build ties, to strengthen ties, between United States, Latvia, United States, Europe, NATO, and make them as strong as possible. And, well, in 2015 Latvia will hold the EU Presidency for half a year, and we are thinking in Riga that perhaps there is something we can do as a small but very determined pro-Atlantic nation to add to this relationship between United States and Europe.
EA: You mentioned your relationship with Latvians living in the United States. Talk about your role there.
Razans: Well, I am very glad that actually this morning here in Tampa I had and still have a meeting with Latvians living here. Certainly the relationship with Latvians living in the United States really is among the top priorities of mine. And based on good will, understanding, and a very strong intention to develop these ties as close as possible and based on the means available for an embassy like the Latvian Embassy. Certainly we will be doing everything and perhaps a little bit more than everything we can do to strengthen this relationship. Because, well, Latvians living in United States, I think, of course, there are different groups of Latvians, there are different reasons that have brought our compatriots to the United States immediately after the Second World War or during the Second World War, then back in the ‘90s, and just recently different waves of movement of people. And, of course, I realize that these groups might have different opinions, different interests, but we will try everything really to extend our hand and develop very good relations.
EA: Can the communities around the country expect to see you?
Razans: Oh, yes, I am planning to travel. Of course, it will be based on the budgetary limitations, but I have the idea really at least once per month to go out of Washington D.C. to meet our people living in different states. I am planning to do everything to strengthen the network of Honorary Consuls in the United States. We have 15 Honorary Consuls, but I think it's not enough. It’s huge, it's a big country. And if we have one Honorary Consul, for instance, in Texas, it’s not enough. It's a huge state. We need to find people in those places where we have bigger Latvian concentrations. We have as well some economic interests. So I think that's one of the aspects that I’ll be working at.
And, of course, personally, I think, you know, my grandfather was as well a refugee in the United Kingdom. He died there. We had frequent communications with him by mail. I never saw him. He died in ’84. I know very well the reasons that took him to the United Kingdom. He was a World War II refugee. My grandmother and my mom stayed in Latvia because they were not able to move. My grandma was wounded. And I think Latvians living outside did everything really to keep the idea of independent and free Latvia alive and as well to keep culture alive, something that was very difficult really to take care of in Occupied Latvia during the Cold War time. And I think it is simply my personal duty as well to pay back if I can do something for the people who have done so much good for my country. That is something, I think, that is very important personally.
EA: That’s very nice. Thank you.
Razans: Thank you.
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