News

On 31 May, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis received Valionis’s request to resign as Ambassador of Lithuania to Latvia. Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Evaldas Ignatavičias has conveyed the Ambassador’s request to the Minister.

The Ambassador’s decision to resign was based upon his personal assessment of his own statements, so further investigation by the General Inspectorate is irrelevant and will be closed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will address the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas (Parliament) regarding the issue and, when the Committee approves, the request will be considered by the Government. According to the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Public Service, Lithuania’s diplomatic representative shall be recalled from his mission upon a decree of the President of the Republic as proposed by the Government. The recall of a Lithuanian diplomatic representative, who has been party to the public service agreement, can be compared to his withdrawal to the Foreign Ministry. The Minister and the certifying body of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will make further decisions regarding the Ambassador’s future diplomatic career.

Currently, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is paying a visit to France, and will soon travel to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The Minister is returning to Lithuania on 6 June.