Edgars Rinkēvičs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edgars Rinkēvičs
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Rinkēvičs in 2023
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| 11th President of Latvia | |
| Assumed office 8 July 2023 |
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| Prime Minister | Krišjānis Kariņš Evika Siliņa |
| Preceded by | Egils Levits |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 25 October 2011 – 8 July 2023 |
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| Prime Minister | Valdis Dombrovskis Laimdota Straujuma Māris Kučinskis Krišjānis Kariņš |
| Preceded by | Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis |
| Succeeded by | Krišjānis Kariņš |
| President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe | |
| In office 17 May 2023 – 8 July 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir |
| Succeeded by | Krišjānis Kariņš |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 September 1973 Jūrmala, Latvia |
| Political party | Latvian Way (1998–2004) Reform Party (2012–2014) Unity (2014–2023) |
| Alma mater | University of Latvia Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy |
Edgars Rinkēvičs was born on September 21, 1973. He is a public official and politician from Latvia. Since July 2023, he has been serving as the 11th President of Latvia. Before becoming president, he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia from 2011 to 2023. He also worked as the head of the Chancery of the President of Latvia and as a state secretary for the Ministry of Defence.
When he became president, Rinkēvičs made history as the first openly gay head of state in a European Union country. Before his election as president, he was a member of different political parties, including Latvian Way, Reform Party, and the Unity party. After becoming president, he left the Unity party. This is a common practice in Latvia, as presidents are expected to remain politically neutral.
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Early Life and School
Edgars Rinkēvičs was born in Jūrmala, a city in Latvia. He finished high school there in 1991. After high school, he started studying history and philosophy at the University of Latvia. He earned his first degree in 1995.
During 1994 and 1995, he also studied Political Science and International Relations in the Netherlands. In 1997, he earned his first master's degree in political science. He then earned a second master's degree in 2000.
Political Career
From 1993 to 1994, while still a student, Rinkēvičs worked as a journalist. He reported on foreign policy and international relations for Latvian Radio. In 1995, he started working at the Ministry of Defence. He held various important roles there, including acting leader of the Policy Department and Deputy Secretary of State for Defence. By August 1997, he became the main Secretary of State for Defence, a position he held until October 2008.
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Between 1998 and 2004, Rinkēvičs was a member of the Latvian Way political party. He was involved in important discussions about the US-Baltic Partnership Charter in 1998. From 2002 to 2003, he helped Latvia join NATO. He was the Deputy Head of Latvia's team for these talks.
In 2008, he became the Head of the Chancery of the President of Latvia. He held this role until July 2011. In October 2011, he became the Minister of Foreign Affairs. At first, he was an independent politician. Then, in January 2012, he joined the Zatlers' Reform Party. In May 2014, Rinkēvičs joined the Unity party.
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After the government changed in 2014, he continued his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was elected to parliament in the parliamentary elections that year. He continued to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs in different governments until 2023.
In September 2020, Rinkēvičs welcomed the news about new diplomatic relations between Israel and Bahrain. He also showed concern about the fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh. He asked Armenia and Azerbaijan to stop fighting and find a peaceful solution.
Becoming President
Rinkēvičs was elected president of Latvia on May 31, 2023. He officially started his term on July 8, 2023.
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On November 20, 2023, he visited Israel to show support for the country during the Gaza war. On December 15, 2023, Rinkēvičs met with Canadian Minister of Defence Bill Blair. They discussed how Latvia and Canada could work together, especially in defence and security.
Languages and Interests
Besides his native Latvian, Edgars Rinkēvičs is also fluent in English, Russian, and French.
Awards and Recognition
Edgars Rinkēvičs has received many awards for his service to Latvia and from other countries.
- He received the highest Latvian award, the Commander Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of the Three Stars, on July 8, 2023.
- He also received the Grand Cross of the Cross of Recognition on the same day.
- He was given the Commander Grand Cross of the Order of Viesturs in 2004.
- He has also received awards from countries like Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, and Norway.
See also
In Spanish: Edgars Rinkēvičs para niños
- List of foreign ministers in 2021
- List of openly LGBT heads of state and government
