Minister of Foreign Affairs Aivis Ronis: The 1920 peace treaty is part of our country’s ‘genetic code’
By admin at 16 August, 2010, 5:22 pm
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On 11 August at 12:40, with the participation of Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, the exhibition “From August to August. The Latvian – Russian Peace Treaty” was opened at the Latvian National History Archives to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the signing of the Latvian – Russian Peace Treaty. The peace treaty was signed exactly at the mentioned time in the year 1920 in the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 3 K. Valdemāra iela.
At the opening of the exhibit, Minister of Foreign Affairs Aivis Ronis emphasised that the location of the exhibition was not chosen randomly, but because of the Latvian Archive’s openness and availability to society. The Minister also noted that free admission to the Russian Federation’s resource archives would mark an important step in uncovering historical truth.
“The peace treaty signed by Latvia and Russia put an end to centuries of two neighbouring people’s inequality. This treaty started equal relations between countries. The 1920 Peace Treaty is the base of Latvian – Russian relations. The treaty is part of our country’s ‘genetic code’. Continuing to speak in metaphors, it must be said that this treaty is a part of our country’s ‘scriptures’. It is a part of Latvia’s ‘covenant’ with the world,” said Aivis Ronis in his speech.
At the opening of the exhibition, Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis expressed his thanks to the conceptualiser of the exhibition, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Honorary Ambassador Maris Riekstiņš, as well as to the Latvian State Historical Archives, the Latvian State Archives and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Political Archives for the creation of the exhibition. The Minister also recognised the Latvian War Museum, the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, the National Library and the Archives of Audiovisual Document for their support during the preparation of the exhibition.
Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Honorary Ambassador Māris Riekstiņš, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Political Archive director Sarmīte Šāvēja and Director of the Latvian National History Archives, Nikolajs Rižovs spoke at the opening of the exhibition. During his speech to attendees, Dr. hab. hist., Academic Aivars Stranga, gave a short overview of the history of events that lead to the signing of the Latvian – Russian Peace Treaty, with most attention given to the issue of Latvian refugees and the rescue of hostages from Bolshevik hands. Most important to the Latvian government and the diplomatic mission at that time was to negotiate the return of thousands of people to their homeland, who, during war times, had travelled as refugees to Russia.
The exhibition “From August to August. The Latvian – Russian Peace Treaty” will be open from 12 August until 17 September in Riga at the Latvian National History Archives at 16, Slokas iela.
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