Economics, Latvia, Legislation

Aivis Ronis.

From 1991 until 2005 Ronis served in various capacities in the Latvian Foreign Ministry, including press secretary and assistant to the Foreign Minister. From 1993 until 1995 he served as First Secretary at the Latvian Embassy to the United Kingdom, and headed the ministry’s Department for Bilateral Affairs from 1995 until 2000. He was appointed Latvia’s non-resident Ambassador to Turkey in 1998, and served as Latvia’s Ambassador to the United States and Mexico from 2000 until 2004. He also served as Latvia’s Ambassador to NATO from 2004 until 2005.

In 2005, Ronis left the Foreign Ministry to become Chairman of the Latvian American Financial Forum. In August 2009, he was appointed by NATO General Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen to serve as a member of the new NATO Strategic Concept expert group. He had been recommended to the position by the governments of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Since 2008 he has also served as a member of President Valdis Zatlers’ Strategic Analysis Commission.

Ronis is considered to have extensive experience in NATO and security issues, since his posting in Washington, D.C. during the first George W. Bush administration coincided with Latvia’s successful campaign to join NATO in 2004. He subsequently became Latvia’s first ambassador to the NATO after Latvia became a member of the alliance.

Following his confirmation in the parliament, Ronis told the media that the overwhelming vote was a re-affirmation of Latvia’s present foreign policy priorities and a vote of confidence in the staff and diplomats of the Foreign Ministry itself. „It’s clear that the parties and fractions have understood the important role Latvia’s foreign policy plays in promoting the country’s economic interests,” said Ronis.

Foreign Minister Ronis indicated he would continue the present course of the Latvia’s foreign policy, which Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis stressed was a vital part of Latvia’s international efforts to strengthen its economy.