Baltic States – CIS, Belarus, EU – Baltic States, EU – CIS, Latvia, Legislation

Maira Mora.

As reported, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton announced on June 17 that Mora will head the EU Delegation to Belarus.

''I am delighted to appoint Maira Mora as head of the EU Delegation to Belarus. The EU Delegation in Belarus will strengthen the EU's engagement with the Belarusian people and Maira is the right person to head it," said Catherine Ashton. "The EU remains committed to its policy of critical engagement with Belarus. Any deepening of the relationship is conditional on the release of all political prisoners and on further progress by the Belarusian authorities towards respect for the principles of democracy, the rule of law and human rights."

Mora has been employed at the Foreign Service since 1992. She is a career diplomat with significant experience at the Latvian Foreign Ministry. She participated in the negotiations on the withdrawal of Russian troops from Latvia and worked in Latvia's delegation to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna. Mora also served as Latvian ambassador to Belarus. For her efforts, she has been awarded high Lithuanian and Austrian honors.

Mora speaks several languages, including Belarusian.

Several Latvian diplomats are already working for the European External Action Service: they have been transferred from other European Union institutions.