2009 Programs and Events
Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State to Visit Latvia in Commemoration of Latvia’s 5 years in NATO
Riga, April 17, 2009. – Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Heather A. Conley, who during her time in office at the State Department was responsible for U.S. bilateral relations with fifteen countries of Northern and Central Europe, including Latvia, and co-led the U.S. government’s efforts to enlarge NATO and ensure Senate ratification of the amended NATO treaty, will visit Riga next week as part of an Embassy sponsored program commemorating the 5th anniversary of Latvia’s membership in NATO. Conley currently represents the Center for European Policy Analysis, an independent, nonpartisan public policy research institute dedicated to the study of Central Europe.
During her visit to Latvia, Conley will have meetings with representatives of Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, political parties, non-governmental organizations and universities. She will also hold a town hall meeting with youth leaders of Latvian political parties on the topic of “The Diplomatic Process” and participate in a panel discussion “NATO’s 60 years and Latvia’s 5 Years of Membership: Achievements and Drawbacks.” While in Latvia, Conley also will also meet with individuals who were instrumental in Latvia’s accession to NATO.
Conley is an accomplished senior executive with over 17 years experience formulating and implementing significant U.S. foreign, defense and development assistance policies and initiatives in the European and Eurasian region for the public, private and non-profit sectors. In 2001 she started as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau for European and Eurasian Affairs, with responsibilities for U.S. bilateral relations for the fifteen European countries, including Latvia. Conley co-led the U.S. government’s efforts to enlarge NATO and created a first ever senior level U.S. dialogue with the eight Nordic and Baltic states, the Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe (e-PINE), to discuss regional and international security issues.
U.S. Embassy, Riga, Public Affairs Section
Smilšu iela 7, Rīga, LV 1050, Latvia
Phone: 371 67509022; 371 29405048
Media specialist’s e-mail: Ruklisk@state.gov
Internet site: riga.usembassy.gov