The Lithuanian government on Wednesday approved the nomination of Audronė Markevičienė as the country’s new ambassador to Latvia.
If President Gitanas Nausėda endorses the proposal, Markevičienė will take over from the current ambassador, Valdas Lastauskas, on October 21.
Lastauskas, who has served in the role since 2021, is set to be recalled on October 20, pending confirmation by presidential decree.
Presenting her priorities to the Lithuanian Cabinet, Markevičienė said they are shaped by current geopolitical challenges, with a focus on regional security and joint infrastructure projects with Latvia.
“Energy security goals are very important. The top priority is active cooperation to accelerate the implementation of infrastructure projects – especially Rail Baltica and Via Baltica – which are essential for ensuring military mobility,” she said.
The diplomat emphasized the need to strengthen the strategic defense partnership with Latvia, citing the protection of critical infrastructure on the Baltic Sea seabed and the instrumentalization of migration as key concerns.
“Given that Latvia, like Lithuania, faces threats due to its geographic proximity to Russia, border security is particularly important in the current context. We are working closely together, providing support, sharing experience, and this cooperation will continue. The trend is not easing, and I believe it will remain relevant,” she said.
On the international front, Markevičienė highlighted Latvia’s upcoming non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council in 2026 – 2027 as a key opportunity.
“This will allow us to raise issues important to the Baltic region, including Ukraine’s territorial integrity, human rights violations in Belarus, cybersecurity, and the fight against disinformation. I believe we should fully utilize Latvia’s term to advance these goals,” she said.
Since August 2023, Markevičienė has served as chargé d’affaires at the Lithuanian Embassy in Poland. She has been in the diplomatic service since 1990 and has held various positions at Lithuania’s diplomatic missions in Austria, Ireland, and Poland.
From 2004 to 2008, she served as an adviser at the embassy in Poland, overseeing interparliamentary cooperation, Lithuanian community affairs, protocol matters, and media relations.
She later held several senior positions at the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, from 2019 to 2022, represented Lithuania at its Permanent Representation to the EU, focusing on cooperation with African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries.
Markevičienė holds a degree from Vilnius University’s Faculty of Economics and Finance.
Source: BNS
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