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Māris Riekstiņš | |
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 Maris Riekstins in 2010 | |
| Permanent Representative of Latvia to NATO | |
| Assumed office 1 September 2023 | |
| President | Edgars Rinkēvičs |
| Preceded by | Edgars Skuja |
| In office 2 February 2011 – 31 August 2015 | |
| President | Andris Bērziņš |
| Preceded by | Jānis Eichmanis |
| Succeeded by | Indulis Bērziņš |
| Ambassador of Latvia to the Russian Federation | |
| In office September 2017 – February 2023 | |
| President | Raimonds Vējonis Egils Levits |
| Preceded by | Astra Kurme |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia | |
| In office 8 November 2007 – 28 April 2010 | |
| Prime Minister | |
| Preceded by | Artis Pabriks |
| Succeeded by | Aivis Ronis |
| Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister | |
| In office January 2007 – November 2007 | |
| Prime Minister | Aigars Kalvītis |
| Preceded by | Jurģis Liepnieks |
| Ambassador of Latvia to the United States | |
| In office December 2004 – January 2007 | |
| President | Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga |
| Preceded by | Aivis Ronis |
| Succeeded by | Andrejs Pildegovičs |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1963-04-08)8 April 1963 (age 62) |
| Political party | People's Party(2006—2011) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Latvia (LL.M.)Latvian Academy of Sport Education |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Māris Riekstiņš (born 8 April 1963 inRiga,Soviet Union) is aLatvian politician anddiplomat and a formerForeign Minister of Latvia (November 2007 – April 2010). He is a formerAmbassador of Latvia to the Russian Federation (September 2017 – February 2023). He currently serves asPermanent Representative of Latvia to NATO.[1]
Riekstiņš' career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs began in 1992 as a Desk Officer of the Political Department of the Europe Division, followed by the position of the Director of the Western Europe Division. In 1993, he became the Under-secretary of State, soon assuming the duties of the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He remained in that position until his posting as theAmbassador of Latvia to the United States in 2004, and additionally non-resident Ambassador to Mexico. For most of 2007, Riekstiņš wasChief of Staff to the Prime Minister of LatviaAigars Kalvītis. In November 2007 Riekstiņš was elected the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and held this position until April 2010, when his party stepped out of the government. In February, 2011 Ambassador Riekstiņš commenced his duties as the Permanent Representative of Latvia to NATO inBrussels.
In his career Riekstiņš has also been Head of the Latvian Delegation for Accession to NATO, Chairman of the Advisory Council for Latvia's membership of theWorld Trade Organization, Head of Delegation of Latvia in WTO talks inSeattle (1999),Doha (2000) andCancun (2003). He has led the delegation for the U.S.-Baltic Partnership Charter and also been the Head of Latvian delegation forEstonian-Latvian sea border delimitation (agreement concluded in 1997 and ratified), as well asLithuanian-Latvian sea border delimitation (agreement concluded in 1999, not ratified yet).
Riekstiņš has a law degree from theUniversity of Latvia, preceded by graduation of the Faculty of Pedagogy of theLatvian Academy of Sport Education. He has two children.
In 2006 Riekstiņš joined thePeople's Party. He was a board member and presidential candidate in the 2007 Presidential election for the Party. He held the position of Foreign Minister in three coalition governments under the leadership of Prime MinisterAigars Kalvītis (People's Party), Prime MinisterIvars Godmanis (LPP/LC) and Prime MinisterValdis Dombrovskis (New Era). In the run up to the10th Saeima election in October 2010 Riekstiņš was a candidate for the parliament of the Political Alliance "For a Good Latvia", consisting of the People's Party and LPP/LC. 8 members were returned to the Saeima from the alliance.
| 2008 | Grand Cross of Merit of the Order of Malta |
| 2008 | Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise of the Republic of Ukraine |
| 2007 | Cross of Recognition of the Republic of Latvia, Grand Officer |
| 2004 | National Order of Merit of Malta |
| 2004 | Order of Merit of the Italian Republic "Grand Official" |
| 2003 | Three Star Order of Latvia, Commander |
| 2003 | Ordem do Infante D. Henrique Grande Oficial, Portugal |
| 2003 | 3rd Class Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana of Estonia |
| 2001 | Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas, 4th class |
| 2001 | French National Order of Merit, Grand Officer |
| 2000 | Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Grand Officer |
| 1998 | Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Commander |
Riekstiņš is a nativeLatvian-speaker with proficiency inEnglish,Russian andGerman.
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