This is the pinnacle of my diplomatic career - Braze

RIGA - The nomination for the post of foreign minister is the pinnacle of my diplomatic work, diplomat Baiba Braze said in an interview to TV3 channel on Tuesday. 

Referring to Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity), Braze said that she was offered the ministerial portfolio as a candidate with extensive knowledge, a fighter character and the ability to "start working from day one". 

Braze has also been offered a membership of Unity party. She is currently considering the offer and "will have to come to a decision at one point", but this is not a precondition for getting the position, the diplomat said. 

Braze reiterated that her key priorities as foreign minister are perfectly clear - to boost national security and prosperity. 

As reported, after several weeks of consultations within her New Unity party, Silina on Monday nominated diplomat Baiba Braze for the post of the foreign minister. The candidate has yet to be approved by the Saeima.

Ambassador Braze has held various positions in the foreign service, including ambassador of Latvia to several countries. Before becoming the ambassador of special assignments in the summer of 2023, she served as NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy since May 2020.

Braze was unofficially mentioned as the most likely candidate for this post immediately after the resignation of Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) from the position of the foreign minister.

Other candidates from the New Unity's ranks have also been mentioned - former Parliamentary Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica (New Unity), MP Girts Valdis Kristovskis (New Unity) and others - but there are various reasons why they are not considered realistic candidates for the post of the foreign minister.

The Saeima factions have expressed their willingness to meet the next candidate for the foreign minister. The next foreign minister is also traditionally interviewed by the president.

As reported, the post of the foreign minister became vacant after Karins stepped down, following the private flights scandal.