The Baltic states (catch all)

[Stan]

http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/17681/
Apr 16, 2007
BNS

Reportedly 15,000 Estonians reside in Canada and wonder about their connections to home. The promised visa-free U.S. entry is also dwindling following the POTUS' visit in November.

Latvia’s important diplomatic link with Canada may be dealt a blow, with plans by the conservative Canadian to cut costs by closing its embassy.

The Canadian Press news agency reported that its government was considering slashing the budget of the Foreign Affairs Department, which could lead to the closure of 19 diplomatic missions.

As well as Latvia, embassies in several Balkan, Asian and African countries might also be closed. Late last year Canada closed its consulates in St Petersburg, Milan and two in Japan.

Such an action would be a heavy blow for relations between the two countries, which have always remained close because of the large number of Latvians who reside in Canada.

Latvia’s president Vaira Vike-Freiberga was raised and educated in Canada. Canada was also the first country to ratify Latvia’s accession to NATO in 2003.

[marct]

It's a budget problem unfortunately. I don't think we should close our embassies, but....

Marc

[Stan]

Hi Marc,
Indeed a hard sell. We (both) got them started years ago and now it's time to go (exit strategy in US lingo).

I suppose if the 'fatherland' was across the street and Canada or the US split, I might start to wonder too.