Umeå University’s Professor Peter Sköld appointed to be the first Latvian honorary consul in Västerbotten

Umeå, Sweden, 18-11-2014 — /EuropaWire/ — Peter Sköld, Professor of History and Director of the Arctic Centre at Umeå University (Arcum), has by the Latvian Foreign Ministry been appointed to be the first Latvian honorary consul in Västerbotten.

The Latvian Ambassador Gints Jegermanis announces that Latvia hereby not just get a spokesperson in northern Sweden, they also look forward to a positive impact on the research collaborations between Umeå University and researchers in Latvia.

How is it that you were appointed?

– I honestly do not know. When I was asked the first time I declined and said it couldn’t be me they were looking for, but yes it was. But I’ve been to Latvia several times and know the country relatively well, says Peter Sköld.

– Through the years I have had several research collaborations with scientists from there. But basically, I think it is my extensive network and an idea of me as a reliabel person when it comes to deliver results.

What does it mean to be appointed as honorary consul?

– I will as honorary consul work to increase collaborations between northern Sweden and Latvia, especially in the fields of science, culture and business. The mission is of course unpaid and I am very happy that Umeå University will let me establish the consulate in connection with Arcum.

Will you take a course in Latvian now?

– Well, maybe not a language course, but definitely increase my reading on Latvian history, culture and the daily current situation in the country.

Will there be any ceremony?

– Yes, I’ll be installed at a ceremony in Riga, led by Latvia’s Foreign Minister.

Peter Sköld says in conclusion that Latvia’s ambassador in Sweden, Gints Jegermanis, has been very encouraging and a great support and how that it soon will ill be delivered business cards, metal signs, a flag and a CD with the Latvian national anthem to the new consulate.

Contacts: peter.skold@umu.se, +46 90-786 63 47, +46 70-363 04 21

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Peter Sköld