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Maris RiekstinsLatvian statesman, diplomat
Date of Birth: 08.04.1963
Country:  Latvia |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Diplomatic Career
- Rise through the Ranks
- Ambassadorial Roles
- Minister and Presidential Candidate
- Foreign Minister and NATO Representative
- Ambassador to Russia
- Honors and Awards
- Personal Life
Early Life and Education
Maris Riekstins was born in Latvia and graduated from the Latvian State Institute of Physical Culture in 1985 with a degree in sports pedagogy.
Diplomatic Career
Early RolesFollowing his graduation, Riekstins worked at the Department of Sport Games and later joined the Committee of Youth Organizations of the Latvian SSR in 1987. After Latvia gained independence, he became a staff member at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in January 1992, where he headed the Department of Eastern Europe and served as Deputy State Secretary.
Rise through the Ranks
In August 1993, Riekstins was appointed State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a position he held for 11 years. Concurrently, he chaired the Committee for the Control of Exports and Imports of Strategic Goods from 1995. He also led the Latvian delegation in negotiations on the demarcation of maritime borders with Lithuania and Estonia.
Ambassadorial Roles
Riekstins was the head of Latvia's delegation at the NATO accession negotiations from 2002-2004. He served as Latvia's Ambassador to the United States from 2004-2007 and concurrently to Mexico from 2006-2007.
Minister and Presidential Candidate
Upon returning to Latvia in 2007, Riekstins became Chief of Staff for Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis. He was nominated as a presidential candidate by the People's Party in April, but his candidacy was withdrawn a month later following the consensus around Valdis Zatlers.
Foreign Minister and NATO Representative
Riekstins was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in November 2007 and held the post until April 2010. From 2011, he served as Latvia's representative to NATO.
Ambassador to Russia
In August 2017, Riekstins was appointed Ambassador of Latvia to Russia.
Honors and Awards
Riekstins has received state honors from Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, and Estonia.
