I NTERNATIONAL D IMENSIONS OF D EMOCRACY Žaneta Ozoliņa Toms Rostoks

How to assess the international dimension of democracy for Latvian foreign policy? To what extent is Latvia independent of external agents in achieving its foreign and domestic aims and to what extent are the external and internal policies implemented without unwarranted intervention by external actors? To what extent does Latvia take public opinion into account when creating and implementing its foreign policy; are there mechanisms in place which enable society to influence foreign policy? To what extent is Latvia supporting the spread of democracy across the globe?

What has changed in the last 10 years? Further integration into the EU and within the framework of NATO have continued: autonomy vis-a- vis icreased coordination. Economic crisis has left a considerable impact on Latvia’s foreign policy. The extreme reduction of funding for defence and foreign affairs has affected the ability of Latvia to achieve its foreign policy aims. EU and NATO membership has encouraged Latvia to integrate the democracy support component in its foreign policy.

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? How free is the governance of the country from subordination to external agencies, economic, cultural or political? To what extent are government relations with international organisations based on the principles of partnership and transparency? To what extent does the government support UN human rights treaties and respect international law? To what extent does the government respect its international obligations in its treatment of refugees and asylum seekers, and how free from arbitrary discrimination is its immigration policy? How consistent is the government in its support for human rights and democracy abroad?

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? How free is the governance of the country from subordination to external agencies, economic, cultural or political?

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia?

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? How consistent is the government in its support for human rights and democracy abroad?

To what extent do you support Latvia’s participation in democracy support programmes in the world? Support Do not support DN Eastern Partnership countries 39% 22% Central Asia 28%45%27% Other countries 21%52%27% Audit of Democracy How consistent is the government in its support for human rights and democracy abroad?

Number of development cooperation projects implemented by Latvia Year GeorgiaMoldovaUkraineBelorussiaOthers Total Audit of Democracy How consistent is the government in its support for human rights and democracy abroad?

Summary Very goodGood Satisfactory PoorVery poor 15.1 X 15.2 X 15.3 X 15.4 X 15.5 X 15.6 X Audit of Democracy Are the country’s external relations conducted in accordance with democratic norms, and is it itself free from external subordination?

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? Thank you!