Russia Summons Latvian Chargé d'Affaires in Protest Over Demands to Dismiss Social Security Staff at Embassy
Russia summoned the Latvian Chargé d'Affaires in protest over Latvia's demand to dismiss social security staff at its embassy, a move that threatens the pensions of Russian retirees.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Moscow, October 21 (KUNA) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday the recall of Latvia’s charge d’affaires in Moscow, Ramona Krasovska, and the delivery of a protest note regarding Riga’s demand to dismiss all staff of the social security administration attached to the consular section of the Russian Embassy in the capital, Riga. In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Riga’s demands threaten, in its assessment, the regular payment of pensions and social benefits to approximately 6,000 retired Russian military personnel and their family members residing in Latvia. The ministry added that these demands contradict the obligations set forth in the 1994 Russian-Latvian government agreement on the social protection of retired Russian military personnel and their families, affirming that Moscow had fulfilled its commitments in this regard, as reported by Russian media. This development comes amid ongoing tensions in Russia-Latvia relations, with Latvia being a member of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war and bilateral security and political disputes. Bilateral agreements between the two countries govern aspects of cooperation in the fields of social security and pensions. (End) D.A.N. / M.A.A.
