UK-LV relations were brought to the forefront of this year’s Christmas celebrations at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Lancaster House, where a 13ft spruce tree was installed after being transported over 1,500 miles from Valka, Latvia.
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and the Ambassador of Latvia to the United Kingdom, Baiba Braže, lit the lights of the Christmas tree to mark Latvia’s 100th year of independence and to celebrate the continuing strength of UK-LV relations. The event was also marked with a special performance from the London Latvian Choir.
Beginning its journey in a Latvian forest nursery, Romfords, the tree was delivered to BSW Latvia before being transported to the company’s mill in Carlisle.
Hamish Macleod, director of public affairs at BSW, said: “In this, the 100th anniversary year of Latvian independence, we are delighted and honoured to have been involved in the logistics of delivering this magnificent Christmas tree.
“We must send a special thanks to DB Schenker who transported the tree from Riga to Carlisle and to S & R Smith & Son who completed the final stages of its journey from Carlisle to Lancaster House.”
Thanking Hamish Macleod and BSW for the assistance required in transporting the Christmas tree to London, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt MP praised the company’s work in Latvia and said that the government is committed to maintaining trade and investment between the two countries without barriers.
The UK was one of the first countries to recognise Latvia as an independent state, and the Foreign Secretary celebrated the historical ties of both friendship and business between the UK and Latvia and talked of a continued relationship with the country.
Despite current challenges faced in international politics, both the Ambassador of Latvia and the Foreign Secretary stated that the relationship between the countries will continue to grow on the basis of friendship, support and collaboration, with the Ambassador adding: “The many ties between our countries will not change.”
Mr Macleod added: “BSW has a fantastic relationship with Latvia and with the support of both the Foreign Secretary and the Ambassador of Latvia, we look forward to continuing to grow and nurture our business relationships in Latvia for many years to come.”
