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Baiba Braže

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Baiba Braže
Official portrait, 2024
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Assumed office
19 April 2024
Prime MinisterEvika Siliņa
Preceded byKrišjānis Kariņš
NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy
In office
May 2020 – June 2023
Secretary GeneralJens Stoltenberg
Preceded byTacan Ildem
Succeeded byMarie-Doha Besancenot
Ambassador positions
1996–2020
Ambassador of Latvia to the United Kingdom
In office
24 August 2016 – May 2020
Appointed byRaimonds Vējonis
MonarchElizabeth II
Preceded byAndris Teikmanis
Succeeded byIvita Burmistre
Ambassador of Latvia to Indonesia
Non-resident
In office
2015–2016
Ambassador of Latvia to the Netherlands
In office
July 2003 – August 2008
Appointed byVaira Vīķe-Freiberga
MonarchQueen Beatrix
Preceded byKārlis Eihenbaums
Succeeded bySanita Pavļuta-Deslandes
Permanent Representative of Latvia to the United Nations
In office
1996–1998
Personal details
Born (1966-12-04) 4 December 1966 (age 57)
Riga, Latvia
Political partyNew Unity (since 2024)
SpouseTjaco van den Hout
Children1
Alma materUniversity of Latvia
Chulalongkorn University
Occupation
  • Politician
  • diplomat

Baiba Braže (born 4 December 1966) is a Latvian politician and diplomat who has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2024. She previously served as the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy from 2020 to 2023.

Early life and education[edit]

Braže was born on 4 December 1966 in Riga in Latvia, although her parents are from the city of Liepāja.[1][2][3] Braže spent many of her childhood summers in Bārta, where her grandparents lived.[2] Braže stated that her grandfather, Fricis, had built his house there with his own hands and took care of it all his life, whilst her grandmother, Alvīne, was a singer in a Bārta ensemble and teacher at a school in Bārta.[3] She started going to Bārta less often when she began training to become a javelin thrower and going to competitions.[3] She trained with athlete Valentīna Eiduka, and continued to train for ten years until she stopped playing after an injury.[3][2] She has attributed President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga and conductor Mariss Jansons as inspirations to her.[2]

She holds two Master's degrees from the University of Latvia, one in law in 1990 and the other in Communication Science in 2002.[4]

Diplomatic career (1993–2020)[edit]

1993–2016[edit]

Braže joined the Latvian Foreign Ministry in August 1993, working as a Senior Desk Officer from 1993 to 1994.[5][6] She was then a Senior Desk Officer of the International Political Organisations Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 1995, and then from 1995 to 1996 she was Head of the Human Rights Policy Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[6] She subsequently served as the First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Latvia to the United Nations in New York from 1996 to 1998.[7]

Braže worked as a Counsellor of the Task Force for Preparation of EU Accession Negotiations in the Foreign Ministry, and as Foreign Affairs adviser to Prime Minister, Vilis Krištopans, from 1998 to 1999.[6] She was then Director of the First Political Department from 1999 to 2003 in the Foreign Ministry.[6] From July 2003 to August 2008, she served as the Latvian ambassador to the Netherlands and also the Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.[6] She then served as an Ambassador at Large in the Third Political Directorate of the Foreign Ministry.[6]

Braže returned to the Foreign Ministry in 2011, working as Directorate of Security Policy and International Organisations until 2016.[6] She then served as the Non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Indonesia from 2015 to 2016, residing in Riga and becoming the first Latvian Ambassador to the country.[6][8] On 3 February 2016, President Joko Widodo presented credentials to Braže in a ceremony in Jakarta, where she thanked Widodo for his assessment of good relations between the countries and said that they were formed from political dialogue, growing economic relations and cooperation in international organisations.[8] She also worked as the Director General of the Communications Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from February to July 2016.[6][9]

Ambassador to the UK (2016–2020)[edit]

On 24 August 2016, Braže became the Latvian Ambassador to the United Kingdom.[10] On 22 July 2016, President, Raimonds Vējonis, presented credentials to her.[11] In September 2016, Braže hosted a lunch of a Nordic group of Ambassadors where the rise in hate crime following the Brexit referendum was discussed, with Braže stating that their citizens "have not experienced anything like this before the referendum" and that there was maybe "an atmosphere" that was "more permitting of unpleasant words and maybe actions."[12] On 14 November 2016, Braže attended the official opening of the Honorary Consulate of Latvia in Glasgow, which was attended by External Affairs Secretary, Fiona Hyslop as David Kaye became the first Honorary Consul of Latvia in Glasgow for almost 60 years.[13] On 17 November, she presented her letters of credence to Queen Elizabeth II in an audience at Buckingham Palace, which was attended by her husband.[14]

In April 2017, Braže celebrated the 98th anniversary of the statehood of Latvia in London where she addressed guests and reminded them of the Latvian support for the UK at the end of World War I and said "we hope that will never be necessary again."[15] The event was attended by various dignitaries including MP Mark Prisk, Ambassador Peter Ammon and Ambassador Arkady Rzegocki.[15] In July, Braže travelled to Northern Ireland where she met with Latvian Honorary Consul to Northern Ireland, Gerard O'Hare, and in an interview she described Brexit as "big news" because "nobody expected it."[16] On 4 December 2017, Braže launched Latvia's centenary celebrations in the United Kingdom alongside Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Boris Johnson, by lighting a Christmas tree given by Latvia in Lancaster House.[17][18] Whilst Johnson spoke about the relationship between Latvia and the UK, Braže highlighted the close historical ties and pointed to the well developed cooperation between the countries.[17]

She served in the position as the Latvian Ambassador to the United Kingdom until May 2020.[1]

NATO career (2020–2023)[edit]

Braže served as the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy from May 2020 to June 2023.[6] She later served as an Ambassador at Large in the Foreign Ministry from 2023 to 2024.[6]

Foreign Minister (2024–present)[edit]

Appointment and joining New Unity[edit]

On 10 April 2024, former Prime Minister and incumbent Foreign Minister Krišjānis Kariņš resigned amidst a scandal of his alleged misuse of public funds on private aviation during his premiership,[2] leaving the office on Foreign Minister vacant.[2] On 15 April, Braže was nominated by New Unity to become the Minister of Foreign Affairs.[19] On 17 April, President Edgars Rinkēvičs, himself being the longest serving Foreign Minister in Latvian history and the predecessor of Kariņš, announced his support for Braže.[20] Prime Minister Evika Siliņa also reiterated her support for Braže, describing Braže as a "strong candidate" and stating that she had not heard of "any doubts" expressed about Braže's "professionalism."[20] On 19 April, The Saeima confirmed her appointment with 66 votes for, 11 votes against and 9 abstentions.[21] Braže was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs under Prime Minister Siliņa, succeeding Kariņš.[6][22] She became the second female Foreign Minister in Latvia's history, after Sandra Kalniete.[23]

On 4 June 2024, Braže joined New Unity, having not previously been in a political party during her entire diplomatic career for over 30 years.[24]

European Union[edit]

On 22 April 2024, Braže made her first trip abroad to Luxembourg where she attended a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC).[25] During the joint session of Foreign Affairs Ministers and Defence Ministers, Braže stated that the EU must "take action immediately" so that assistance to Ukraine would not decrease and also said that it was important to "align EU sanctions on Belarus with the regime of sanctions against Russia."[26] She also called on the EU to take "resolute action" to expand Iran's drone sanctions regime to "include ballistic missiles."[26]

On 27 May, Braže attended the FAC which focused on support to Ukraine and also the situation in the middle east.[27] Braže said that Ukraine must receive "all necessary support" which included the EU's "14th package of sanctions of Russia", as well as stating that Latvia remained "friends of Georgia on its path to the EU."[27]

NATO[edit]

On 23 May 2024, Braže met with NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels.[28]

Europe[edit]

Russia-Ukraine war[edit]

Further information: Russian invasion of Ukraine
Braže with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on 26 April 2024

On 26 April 2024, Braže undertook her visit bilateral visit as Foreign Minister which was to Ukraine.[29] She met with the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, where she confirmed Latvia's intention to advocate for EU sanctions on Russia.[30][31] Braže also laid flowers with Kuleba at the Wall of Remembrance in honour of Ukrainian soldiers who had died during the war.[30] She also met with Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, where she reaffirmed the intention of Latvia to support the reconstruction of Ukraine.[30] Braže met with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and they discussed the practical steps for Euro-Atlantic integration for Ukraine, as well as meeting the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Olha Stefanishyna, and they discussed the integration of Ukraine into the EU.[30] During her visit, she also met with Oleksandr Lytvynenko and visited a restored thermal power plant that had previously damaged in 2022 with Deputy Minister Mykola Kolisnyk.[30]

On 10 May, during her visit to Lithuania, she said that Ukraine was a "priority for all the Baltic states," and the victory of Ukraine was a "common goal" for all of them.[32] On 23 May, after meeting Secretary General Stoltenberg, Braže said that providing "sufficient support" to Ukraine was of "critical importance" and also stated that Ukraine had the right to also "use weapons supplied by the West for strikes at military facilities in the Russian territory from where Russia attacks Ukraine."[28] On 27 May, at the FAC in Brussels, Braže called on countries that were blocking help to Ukraine to "relent" so the "necessary military aid" could be provided to Ukraine.[33] She also stated that the situation in Ukraine "directly correlates" with "security situation in Latvia and also in the European Union," and also said "we will not be safe until Ukraine prevails."[27]

Personal life[edit]

Braže is fluent in Latvian, English, Russian and Dutch.[34] She has said that she used to play tennis and do pilates, and that she enjoys horse riding.[35]

Braže is married to Tjaco van den Hout, a former Dutch Ambassador and visiting professorial fellow at the Riga Graduate School of Law.[36] She marks the time when she was ambassador to the Netherlands, driving her car, opening the window and waving to van den Hout, who was on a bicycle, as the beginning of their relationship, despite having met before.[3] They have one daughter together, Brigita, born in August 2005 during Braže's tenure as Ambassador to the Netherlands.[37] When her husband became the Dutch ambassador to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, she lived in Thailand, where she studied Buddhism, language and regional studies at Chulalongkorn University.[38][39] Her husband recalls an anecdote whereby at a garden party at Buckingham Palace during Braže's tenure as Ambassador to the UK, Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh spoke to them both and once he understood that they were both ambassadors, he remarked that it "must make for interesting pillow talk."[36]

On 20 May 2024, Braže participated in a half marathon fundraiser which collected over 14000 euros in order to purchase military drones for the defence of Ukraine.[40]

Honours[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy". shape.nato.int. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "ĀM virzītājspēks Kariņa laikā. Kas ir jaunā ārlietu ministre Baiba Braže?". www.lsm.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Baiba Braže: Dzīves kvalitāte un arī darba ētika šeit ir ļoti labā līmenī". www.santa.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  4. ^ "Baiba Braže". nato.int. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Baiba Braže". OECD events. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Baiba Braže | Ministru kabinets". www.mk.gov.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  7. ^ S.A, Telewizja Polska. "TVP World exclusive: Baiba Braže". tvpworld.com (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  8. ^ a b ministrija, Ārlietu (2024-06-26). "Indonēzijā akreditēta Latvijas vēstniece Baiba Braže - Pasaulē - Latvijas reitingi". www.reitingi.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  9. ^ "Baiba Braže | German Marshall Fund of the United States". www.gmfus.org. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  10. ^ Hakk, Adonis. "Latvia Embassy of the Republic of Latvia UK | Harley Medic". Harley Medic Global. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  11. ^ BNN (2016-07-18). "Political calendar of Latvia. 18 – 22 July, 2016". Baltic News Network. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  12. ^ Weaver, Matthew; Laville, Sandra (2016-09-19). "European embassies in UK log more alleged hate crimes since Brexit vote". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  13. ^ "David Kaye becomes first Honorary Consul of Latvia in Glasgow for almost 60 years". Scottish Legal News. 2016-11-14. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  14. ^ "Queen Elizabeth II meets the Ambassador of Latvia Baiba Braze and..." Getty Images. 2016-11-17. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  15. ^ a b "Latvia | National Day". Embassy Magazine. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  16. ^ "Latvian ambassador: '˜Brexit was big news in our country because nobody was expecting it'". Belfast News Letter. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  17. ^ a b birojs, Ministra. "www2.mfa.gov.lv". www2.mfa.gov.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  18. ^ lvportals.lv. "Londonā Apvienotās Karalistes ārlietu ministrs Boriss Džonsons un Latvijas vēstniece Baiba Braže iededz Latvijas dāvāto egli - LV portāls". lvportals.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  19. ^ "Baiba Braže named as candidate for Foreign Minister". eng.lsm.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  20. ^ a b "President and Prime Minister back Baiba Braže for Foreign Minister vacancy". eng.lsm.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  21. ^ LETA (2024-04-19). "Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže leaves an impression of the "Iron Lady", politologist says". Baltic News Network. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  22. ^ BNN (2024-04-19). "Saeima approves Baiba Braže as Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs". Baltic News Network. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  23. ^ "Baiba Braže confirmed as Latvia's new Foreign Minister". eng.lsm.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  24. ^ "Baiba Braže joins New Unity party". eng.lsm.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  25. ^ "Baiba Braže to take part in the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg | Ārlietu ministrija". www.mfa.gov.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  26. ^ a b "Baiba Braže: assistance devoted to Ukraine must not decrease | Ārlietu ministrija". www.mfa.gov.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  27. ^ a b c "Baiba Braže at the EU Foreign Affairs Council: restriction of Russia's military capabilities and deliveries to Ukraine are also the matters of our national security | Ārlietu ministrija". www.mfa.gov.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  28. ^ a b "Baiba Braže: Support for Ukraine and future security in Europe go hand in hand | Ārlietu ministrija". www.mfa.gov.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  29. ^ "Ukraine has received Western weapons with permission to hit Russia. An interview with Latvia's Foreign Minister". European Pravda. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  30. ^ a b c d e "Baiba Braže visits Ukraine on her first trip abroad | Ārlietu ministrija". www.mfa.gov.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  31. ^ "Ukraine pushes to get military-age men to come home. Some neighboring countries say they will help". AP News. 2024-04-26. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  32. ^ "Our common goal is Ukraine's victory" – Baiba Braže during her visit to Lithuania | Ārlietu ministrija". www.mfa.gov.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  33. ^ "Braže calls on countries blocking help to Ukraine to 'relent'". eng.lsm.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  34. ^ "Baiba Braže | Ārlietu ministrija". www.mfa.gov.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  35. ^ "Mūsu cilvēks NATO Baiba Braže: "Noveicies mums, latviešiem, ir!" | Jauns.lv". jauns.lv (in Latvian). 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  36. ^ a b RGSL. "Meet our long-time faculty member, Visiting Professorial Fellow Tjaco van den Hout". Riga Graduate School of Law. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  37. ^ "Diplomātei Baibai Bražei piedzimusi meitiņa". www.diena.lv. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  38. ^ RGSL. "Tjaco T. van den Hout". Riga Graduate School of Law. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  39. ^ "Tjaco van den Hout". tjacovandenhout.com. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  40. ^ Zoria, Yuri (2024-05-21). "Top Latvia diplomat's half marathon effort nets €14,000 for Ukraine combat drones". Euromaidan Press. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
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