President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs

President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs

President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, is a Latvian public and political figure and the long-serving Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia (from 25 October 2011 until 7 July 2023).

Born in Jūrmala on 21 September 1973.

In 1991 he graduated from Jūrmala High School No 4 (now Pumpuri High School).

In 1995 acquired Bachelor’s degree in History at the Faculty of History and Philosophy of the University of Latvia.

From 1994 to 1995 he completed his studies at the University of Groningen (The Netherlands) in the study programme of Political Science and International Relations (certificate).

In 1998 he graduated from the Faculty of History and Philosophy of the University of Latvia with a Master’s degree in Political Science.

From 1999 to 2000 he studied at the Industry Studies Program for National Security and Resource Strategy at the US National Defence University in Washington, D.C., obtaining a Master’s degree in National Security Resource Strategy.

On 8 July 2023, Edgars Rinkēvičs officially became the President of Latvia.

He is the longest serving Foreign Minister in the history of the Latvian State (from 25 October 2011 until 7 July 2023).

From October 2008 to July 2011, he worked as Head of the Chancery of the President of Latvia during the presidency of President Valdis Zatlers (2007–2011).

Long-serving State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia (from August 1997 to October 2008), serving as Head of the Office for the Organisation of the NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government (2005–2007) and Deputy Head of Delegation for the negotiations on Latvia's accession to NATO (2002–2005).

From May 1997 to August 1997, he was Acting State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, and between September 1996 and May 1997 he was Deputy State Secretary for Defence Policy of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia.

Between March 1996 and September 1996, he worked as Director of the Policy Department of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, having joined the Ministry in 1995 as Senior Policy Officer.

In addition to his studies at the University, he worked as a journalist on foreign policy and international relations for Radio Latvia (1993–1994).

His native language is Latvian, he also speaks English and Russian, as well as French.

Awards

2024 – The National Order of Merit of the Republic of Malta, Companion of Honour

2023 – The Order of the Three Stars, Commander of the Grand Cross

2023 – The Cross of Recognition, Commander of the Grand Cross

2023 – The Order of the Oak Crown, Grand Officer, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

2022 – The Order of Merit of Ukraine, First Class

2019 – The Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, First Class, the Republic of Estonia

2019 – The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Grand Cross, 1st Class

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

2018 – The Order of Orange-Nassau, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Grand Officer

2015 – The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Grand Cross, First Class

2013 – The Order of the Lion of Finland, Commander, First Class

2007 – Grand Officer of the Order of Three Star

2007 – NATO award For Meritorious Service

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

2005 – The Order of Merit, the Republic of Estonia

2005 – The Order of Merit, the Italian Republic

2005 – Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland

2004 – Commander of the Great Cross of the Order of Viesturs of the Republic of Latvia

2004 – Republic of Latvia Minister of Defence Award – Commemorative Medal for Advancing Latvia’s Accession to NATO

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

Photo: Jānis Deinats