Kosovo–Latvia relations
Kosovo–Latvia relations are foreign relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Latvia. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008 and Latvia recognised it on 20 February 2008. Latvian and Kosovan governments established diplomatic relations on 11 June 2008. However, Latvia's involvement in Kosovo dates back to 2000 when it first sent peacekeeping troops. History In 2000, Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga suggested that NATO's willingness to intervene in Kosovo means that the Western alliance will be prepared to come to the aid of Latvia and other East European countries should Moscow threaten them at some point in the future. She stated: "Kosovo is not a member of the NATO alliance and yet the alliance was able to take action when it felt that, according to the principles on which it is founded, action and intervention was necessary. I would expect it to do no less anywhere else in Europe." In November 2005, Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova met Latvian Foreign Minister, Artis Pabriks. Following the formal recognition of Kosovo in February 2008, Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins said: "Latvia is ready to share its experience in order to facilitate Kosovo's development towards its Europeisation". The Minister