According to Agnese Salinas, Director of the Consular Department of the MFA, the experience of the MFA shows that with the lifting of travel restrictions caused by the pandemic, there is a high interest of Latvian nationals in traveling abroad. More and more distant and also more unsafe destinations are chosen. At the same time, it can be observed that Latvian nationals are often detained for violations or criminal offenses in countries where it is difficult to provide consular support.
Last year, 61 people were detained in Brazil, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Gabon, Indonesia, French Guiana, Kenya, Panama, Thailand, Maldives, Russia, Belarus.
Last year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided consular assistance in a total of 860 cases, including assistance to detainees – 320 cases, to those hospitalized – 104, in cases of death – 245, to those left without financial means – 89. Last year, the 24-hour phone line of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received 7,485 calls for emergency situations, of which around 2,600 calls were received in the first two weeks of hostilities in Ukraine.
In 2022, 997 return certificates were issued. In 2022, in 12 cases, material assistance was granted to persons who were in emergency situations in foreign countries, for example, Argentina, South Africa, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador.
The head of the Aviation Security Department of “Riga” Airport, Tom Neyland, reminded the main things that every traveler should consider. He noted that every trip gives rise to more or less anxiety, especially if we don’t travel often.
“But we ourselves can prepare in time and make the beginning of our trip pleasant: arrive at the airport at least two hours before the scheduled departure, check the baggage rules and avoid making mistakes when arranging the travel bags, as well as prepare for the security check in time – emptying our pockets, properly packing liquids and electrical devices, ” said Neiland.
During the campaign, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs invites you to carefully prepare for trips to distant destinations and before setting off, make sure that the trip to the chosen destination is safe, check the validity period of your travel documents and those of your fellow travelers, issue visas if necessary, purchase travel insurance appropriate for the planned activities, and also consult the vaccination office , how to protect yourself from yellow fever or other diseases.
During long trips, special attention should be paid to health – you should take the necessary medicines with you, and you should also be careful with water and food, so that health problems do not spoil the trip. Also, when preparing for a trip, it is important to have information about what to do in an emergency situation. The consular service of Latvia can be called 24 hours a day: (+371) 26 33 77 11.
The digital materials of the informative campaign will be displayed on the social networks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and partners, as well as at the Riga Airport and the Riga International Bus Station during the summer vacation and school holiday season.
2023-06-02 14:29:32
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