Parker Green Welcomes Latvian Consul Office

15th June 2010

Dr. Gerard O Hare, Managing Director of Parker Green International who was recently appointed Honorary Consul for Latvia in Northern Ireland officially opened his consular office in Newry on Tuesady 15th June. The event was officiated in the presence of H.E. Eduards Stiprais, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the Court of St. James, H.E. Peteris Elerts, Ambassador of Latvia to the Republic of Ireland and many other distinguished guests.

The office was opened within Parker Green’s Head Offices, Drumalane Mill, Newry and will be used to forged links between Northern Ireland and Latvia.

Dr. Gerard O Hare said, “As Honorary Consul for Latvia it is first and foremost my duty to welcome the Latvian citizens who come to live, work, learn, visit or just pass through Northern Ireland. Through this office I hope to be able to aid and assist Latvian citizens when required, to support educational and cultural links and well as to promote and support business and trade between Northern Ireland and Latvia.”

Dr. O Hare continued, “Newry like all of the towns and cities of Ireland north and south, hosts many different foreign nationals and ethnic minorities. I believe that like most of Ireland we are a warm and welcoming place for all. Latvia as a nation has many similarities to Northern Ireland. It has a troubled past and has had to learn to embrace the borders of its neighbours. I look forward to exploring these similarities and indeed the cultural differences in the months and years ahead.”

The event which was a celebration of local and Latvian cultural, music and food brought together a number of other Honorary Consuls and was one of the first official engagements for newly elected Mayor of Newry & Mourne Cllr Mick Murphy. Other guests included Mrs Zanda Grauze, Director of Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Latvia, Mrs Inga Ernstone, Department Head of Mission, Embassy of Latvia, London, Mr Bill Nolan Joint Secretary North/South Ministerial Council and local MLAs.