“In the present-day geopolitical situation, Latvia’s foreign and security policy can no longer be considered only as a realm for professional diplomats – a wider circle of actors should participate in its formulation, including the involvement of the best experts from the political community and various sectors, who can contribute to addressing the challenges of today and the future,” Baiba Braže said in a meeting with the Council of Foreign Policy Experts on Friday, 25 October. The Council of Foreign Policy Experts convened for the first time for a meting in its new composition.
The Foreign Policy Experts Council has been established to implement a uniform and successful foreign policy and to inform the public regarding foreign policy matters, including the involvement of the Government’s social and cooperation partners and non-governmental organisations representing the sector.
At their first meeting, the experts exchanged views on latest foreign policy developments in the context of Latvia’s long-term security and economic interests. The Minister and experts agreed that future meetings would take place on a quarterly basis in order to discuss current foreign policy related and international issues in an in-depth and structured manner.
The Chair of the Council is Dr. Kārlis Bukovskis, Director of the Latvian Foreign Policy Institute and Associate Professor at Riga Stradiņš University. The members of the Foreign Policy Experts Council are:
- Dr. Māris Andžāns, Director of the Center for Geopolitical Studies Riga association, Associated Professor at Riga Stradiņš University;
- Dr. Una Aleksandra Čerenkova-Bērziņa, Head of the China Studies Centre at Riga Stradiņš University;
- Māris Cepurītis, Director of the Centre for East European Policy Studies;
- Ernests Jenavs, Chairman of the Board at the Latvian Startup Association;
- Kaspars Pollaks, Head of Business Area Defence and Public Safety at LMT;
- Dr. Toms Rostoks, Director of the National Defence Academy of Latvia, Associated Professor at the University of Latvia;
- Andris Strazds, Head of General Secretariat at Latvijas Banka;
- Sigita Struberga, Secretary General at the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation, LATO; Inese Vaivare, Director of the Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation association.
Experts are working on the Council on a voluntary basis and without remuneration.
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