The Supreme Court receives letters from the Supreme Courts of other countries in which their leaders congratulate the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia Ivars Bickovis on his election in the high position. The colleagues express hope that Bickovics will continue the cooperation of his predecessor Andris Gulans in the Network of Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the EU. The President of the Italian Cassation Court Vincenzo Carbone notes that the Network has become a well functioning way to exchange ideas and a possibility to establish good contacts with the Presidents of the Supreme Courts.

 The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Estonia Märt Rask wishes his colleague success and expresses hope that the friendship and good relations between the two courts will strengthen.

 The President of the Supreme Court of the Czech Republic Iva Brožová wishes Bickovics all the best and hopes that the courts could develop exchange of experience regarding challenges which both courts face in their everyday work.

 The President of the Cassation Court of Bulgaria Lasar Gruev also expresses hope for cooperation and friendly and fruitful relations between the courts. But the President of the Supreme Court of Poland Lech Gardocki wishes that the professional work of the new Chief Justice brings benefit to the judicial power of Latvia and the fatherland. To continue the cooperation which started in 1996, Gardocki invites Bickovics to visit Poland in 2009.

 Wishes of success to Bickovics in the high position were expressed by the President of the Supreme Court of Portugal Luís António Noronha Nascimento and the President of the Cassation Court of France Vincent Lamanda. On his appointment in the position Bickovics was congratulated also by the President of the Supreme Court of Greece Vasileios Nikopoulos, the President of the Cassation Court of Belgium Ghislain Londers, the President of the Supreme Court of Croatia Branko Hrvatin, the President of the Federal Court of Germany Klaus Tolksdorf.

 The former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia Andris Gulans received words of acknowledgement and gratitude for the excellent relationship from the Presidents of the highest courts of Norway, France, Cyprus, Austria, Greece, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Ireland, Italy. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway Tore Schei, as well as the President of the Cassation Court of France Vincent Lamanda hopes that they will have a chance to meet Gulans in future, too, but the President of the Supreme Court of Cyprus Christos Artemides is certain that Gulans’ experience will be of value in another public fields in the Republic of Latvia.

 The Network of Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the EU was established in 2004 with the participation of 24 representatives from the Supreme Courts of general jurisdiction of the EU member states and candidate states. The most significant goal of the Association is to promote exchange of opinions and experience regarding the court practice, organization and functions of the Supreme Courts, especially in relation to their work in adjustment of the legislation to the laws of the European Community.

 

Information prepared by

Head of the Division of Communications of the Supreme Court Rasma Zvejniece

E-mail: rasma.zvejniece@at.gov.lv, telephone: 7020396, 28652211