Lithuanian diplomat Neliupsiene selected to head EU mission to US

VILNIUS – Lithuanian diplomat Jovita Neliupsiene has been selected to head the European Union's mission to the United States, a key position in the bloc's diplomatic service, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis confirmed on Wednesday.

"As to Jovita Neliupsiene, yes, this is indeed good news that has been in the pipeline for some time. It was a long process. I am extremely happy for Lithuania and for Jovita," Landsbergis told reporters 

"The Foreign Ministry, it has to be admitted, is losing a very strong, talented person, who is a first-class professional (...), which is why there is a small grain of sadness in that joy," the minister said.

"But both as a personal achievement and as a victory for Lithuania, it is one of the greatest things we have managed to achieve in European formats," he added.

The 15min online news site earlier on Wednesday cited sources as saying that Neliupsiene's appointment should be officially announced in the coming days, noting that decisions on EU ambassadors are made by Josep Borrell, the bloc's foreign policy chief.

The diplomat has held the post of Lithuanian deputy foreign minister for the past six months. She previously served as deputy economy minister, adviser to President Dalia Grybauskaite, and Lithuania's ambassador to the EU.

As the EU's ambassador, Neliupsiene will lead a 100-strong diplomatic mission and will have to represent the bloc on a wide range of issues, from free trade negotiations to coordinating positions on China, according to 15min.