Margus Tsahkna, chairman of Estonia’s Eesti 200 party, has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs since April 17, 2023. He served as a member of the Riigikogu, Estonia’s Parliament, from 2017 to 2019 and from 2007 to 2015. He has held numerous leadership positions, including defense minister, social protection minister, and Secretary General of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union. From 2004 to 2007, he was a member of the Tartu City Council. He studied at the School of Theology and Religious Studies of the University of Tartu in 1996–2002 and at the University of Toronto in 1999–2000, specializing in international law.
NPC Headliners: Baltic Delegation
Mar 25 2024
WHEN:
Mar 25, 2024 at 2:30pm
WHERE:
Holeman Lounge
CONTACT INFO:
Cecily Scott Martin
MORE INFO:
Headliner
This event is open only to NPC members & credentialed press
Foreign ministers from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will address the National Press Club at a Headliners Newsmaker event at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 25.
The foreign ministers will discuss the role of Baltic and US leadership in supporting Ukraine, containing Russia and strengthening NATO defense and deterrence. Opening remarks will be followed by a moderated question-and-answer period.
Speakers will include:
Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Estonia
Krišjānis Kariņš, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Latvia
Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lithuania
Russia recently banned more than 300 Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian citizens, including government offices, from entering the country, citing the Baltic States’ hostile stance toward Russia since its invasion of Ukraine. The Baltic nations have raised concerns that Russia will target the Baltic region next.
This Headliners event is open to credentialed media and Club members. Registration is essential. To submit a question for the speaker in advance, please email [email protected] and put BALTIC in the subject line. The deadline for submitting questions in advance is 2 p.m. on the day of the event
Krišjānis Kariņš has served as Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs since Sept. 15, 2023. He previously served as Prime Minister from Jan. 23, 2019 to Sept. 15, 2023. Minister Kariņš began his government service in 2002 when he was elected to the Saeima, Latvia’s parliament. He served concurrently as Minister of Economics from 2004 to 2006. In 2009, he was elected to the European Parliament, where he served for a decade. Kariņš was born in the United States to parents who fled Latvia after the Soviet occupation. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a PhD in linguistics. He moved to Latvia in 1997, where he established a food industry business.
Gabrielius Landsbergis, foreign minister of Lithuania, has served as chairman of the Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrats since 2015. He was elected to the Seimas, Lithuania’s parliament in 2016. He served in the European Parliament from 2014 to 2016. He has also served in the diplomatic corps in Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as in the Office of the Government Education. Landsbergis holds a Bachelor’s Degree in history and a Master’s Degree in international relations and diplomacy from Vilnius University.