The announcement from Ottawa came quickly. On 26 August 1991, Canada’s Secretary of State for External Affairs, Barbara McDougall, announced the establishment of diplomatic relations with Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, and reaffirmed their de iure recognition. Latvian sources also stress the particular rank of the move: Canada was the first G7 country to restore diplomatic relations with Latvia after the restoration of independence. After the August coup, this was not just a courteous phrase — it was a seat at the table.
The final week of August 1991 was a rapid period of international return for Latvia after the constitutional law of 21 August and the failed coup in Moscow. Canada’s step carried added weight because it had not recognized the forced incorporation of the Baltic states into the USSR.
Related events
- 1922On 26 August 1922, in Riga harbour on the Daugava, Latvia’s first warship, Virsaitis, ceremonially raised the new naval ensign, jack and pennant, followed by a 21-gun salute.
- 1991On 26 August 1991, the Presidium of Ukraine’s Supreme Council adopted a decision in Kyiv recognizing the state independence of the Republic of Latvia; Leonid Kravchuk signed it.
- 1991On 26 August 1991, Malta declared that it recognized Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia as independent states, citing the Baltic countries’ clear choice to regain independence.
Footnotes
- 1.https://www.vestnesis.lv/ta/id/53354
- 2.https://www.vestnesis.lv/ta/id/144451
- 3.https://www.president.lv/lv/jaunums/valsts-prezidents-atzinigi-noverte-kanadas-ieguldijumu-baltijas-regiona-drosiba
- 4.https://www.vestnesis.lv/ta/id/117292
- 5.https://www.saeima.lv/files/1991_gada_augusta_hronika_e-izdevums.pdf
- 6.https://www.vestnesis.lv/ta/id/32935
- 7.https://www.vestnesis.lv/ta/id/29571