On 07 January 2020, Philippine Ambassador Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz presented her credentials to Latvia President H.E. Egils Levits at his Residence in Riga Castle as non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to the Republic of Latvia. Ambassador Ruiz was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Mardomel Celo D. Melicor.
During the private audience with the President which was also attended by his Foreign Affairs Adviser Ms. Solveiga Silkalna, Ambassador Ruiz conveyed the warm greetings, felicitations and best wishes of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and her own deep appreciation for the warm welcome and excellent arrangements for her visit.
During the private audience after the ceremony, both sides agreed to further strengthen the legal framework for political, economic and cultural cooperation and promote more people-to-people contacts through parliamentary visits, B2B meetings, tourism, academic and cultural exchanges.
Prior to the ceremony, Ambassador Ruiz met with the following Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials: Deputy Head of State Protocol Ms. Inese Liepiņa, Secretary of State Mr. Andris Pelšs, and Counsellor Ligita Davidova, Head of the Asia and Oceania Division.
After the ceremony, Ambassador Ruiz met with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament (Saeima) Ms. Dagmāra Beitnere-Le Galla, who was accompanied by Mr. Andrejs Kovalovs, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Presidium of the Saeima.
The Foreign Ministry also arranged a briefing tour of the two most important museums in Riga: Occupation Museum of Latvia and Art Museum “Riga Bourse”, which provided a valuable insight into the history and the arts and culture of Latvia
Ambassador Ruiz expressed appreciation to the Latvian officials for her inclusion in the first accreditation schedule of the year in Latvia, during the mid-winter season. She is the 5th resident Philippine Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Philippines to Poland and has concurrent jurisdiction over Philippine relations with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine. Previously, she was the first woman Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon from 2011-2016. END
Ambassador Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz presents her Letters of Credence to the President of Latvia H.E. Egils Levits at the Ceremonial Hall of the Riga Castle on 07 January 2020.
Official photo of Philippine Ambassador Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz and Latvia President H. E. Egils Levits after the presentation of credentials ceremony.
(L-R): Ambassador Ruiz, President Levits and Deputy Chief of Mission Mardomel Celo D. Melicor.
Ambassador Ruiz discusses PHL-Latvia relations with President Levits who was assisted by his Foreign Affairs Adviser Ms. Solveiga Silkalna.
Ambassador Ruiz poses with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ms. Dagmāra Beitnere-Le Galla prior to their meeting after the presentation of credentials ceremony.
Ambassador Ruiz meets with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary of State Mr. Andris Pelšs prior to the presentation of credentials ceremony.
