From de facto to de jure: The Italian Government's Recognition of Latvia and Public Diplomacy in the Baltic States

• In Event: The Development of Baltic Public Diplomacy: Transitioning from Uncoordinated to Coordinated, 1915–23

Abstract

Based on archival work conducted at the Latvian State Historical Archives, and at the Historical Diplomatic Archive in Rome, this presentation examines the role of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in supporting the Latvian Government in gaining de facto recognition in 1918, and de jure recognition in 1921. Moreover, it illustrates the role of Italian diplomats in devising a public diplomacy initiative to foster good relations between the Baltic states and Italy following de jure recognition.
Italy, indeed, was one of the first countries that recognized the Latvian Provisional Government de facto, thanks to the efforts of Sidney Sonnino, Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1914 to 1919. De jure recognition of Latvia (and the Baltic states) was handled by Sonnino's successor, Carlo Sforza, at the Paris Peace Conference. In December 1920, Sforza met with Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics, Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Rome. Meierovics asked Italy to facilitate Latvia’s admission to the League of Nations, which was expected to expedite de jure recognition of Latvia. Sforza showed understanding and support to Meierovics’ requests. Moreover, utilizing Sforza's memoirs, the presentation shows how he laid the groundwork for Italian-language lectureships in the Baltic states, the foundation of a public diplomacy strategy that began following de jure recognition.

Author

• Rosario Napolitano, Riga Technical University/ Art Academy of Latvia