Latvia Monday expelled a Russian diplomat amid accusations that he had been involved in "activities incompatible with his status," the Latvian Foreign Ministry announced.

The diplomat was declared persona non grata after the Constitutional Protection Bureau, Latvia's national security authority, reported that one of Russia's diplomats in this Baltic country was engaged in "activities incompatible with the person's diplomatic status,'' said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ivars Lasis.

Lasis did not name the diplomat nor elaborate, however the phrase usually refers to espionage.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins told Latvia Radio that the actions posed "a danger to the interests of the Latvian state." Meanwhile, he denied that the diplomat in question was the first secretary at the Russian embassy, who Latvian media reported late last year would be expelled.

Russian Ambassador Viktor Kalyuzhny was summoned to the ministry and informed of the decision. The Russian embassy did not immediately comment.

It is the first time since April 2004, the month Latvia joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, that Latvia has expelled a Russian diplomat.

Relations between Latvia and Russia have been strained following the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, since the two governments signed border agreements in March, bilateral ties have shown signs of improvement. Latvian President Valdis Zatlers said he expected to visit Moscow in the near future.

Riekstins did not rule out an impact on bilateral relations in the short term, but said "there is no reason" to expect a long-term negative influence.

(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2008)