Edgars Rinkēvičs

Edgars Rinkēvičs

Minister for Foreign Affairs
minsek [at] mfa.gov.lv
  • EDUCATION
    • 1999-2000 Industrial College of the Armed Forces of the US National Defence University, Master’s Degree
    • 1995-1997 University of Latvia, Master’s Degree in Political Science
    • 1994-1995 University of Groningen, the Netherlands, Political Science and International Relations Studies, certificate
    • 1991-1995 University of Latvia, Faculty of History and Philosophy, Bachelor’s Degree
  • WORK AND POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
    • Since 25 October 2011 – Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia
    • October 2008 – July 2011 Chancery of the President of the Republic of Latvia, Head of the President’s Chancery
    • August 1997- October 2008 – Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, State Secretary
    • 2005 - January 2007 – NATO Summit Latvia Task Force, Head
    • 2002- 2003 – Latvia’s Delegation for Negotiations on Accession to NATO, Deputy Head
    • May 1997 - August 1997 – Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, Acting State Secretary
    • September 1996 – May 1997 – Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, Deputy State Secretary for Defence Policy
    • March 1996 – September 1996 – Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, Policy Department, director
    • 1995 – March 1996 – Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, Policy Department, senior expert
    • 1993  1994 – Journalist for the Latvian Radio specializing in the foreign policy issues and international relations
  • AWARDS
    • 2022 First Degree Order of Ukraine for “Merit”

    • 2019 First Class Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana of the Republic of Estonia

    • 2019 The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Class 7 Grand Cross

    • 2018 The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Grand Officer

    • 2018 The Order of Orania -Nasau of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Grand Officer

    • 2015 The Royal Order of Merit of Norway, Class I, Great Cross

    • 2013 First Class Order of the Lion of Finland, Commander

    • 2007 Grand Officer of the Order of Three Stars

    • 2007 The NATO Meritorious Service Medal

    • 2006 The Order of Orange-Nassau, the Kingdom of Netherlands

    • 2005 The Order of Merit of the Republic of Estonia

    • 2005 The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

    • 2005 Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland

    • 2004 The Order of Viesturs, Commander of the Great Cross 

    • 2004 Republic of Latvia Minister of Defence Award - Commemorative Medal for Advancing Latvia's Accession to NATO

    • 2000 Award of the Minister for Defence of the Republic of Latvia - Medal of Honourable Merit for Contribution to Armed Forces Development

  • LANGUAGE SKILLS
    • Latvian – native, English and Russian  - fluent, French – good command