Congratulations to Jeļena Markūne, Rasma Balklava and Vitālijs Markūns with recieving Certificates of Recognition from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia

On 29 January 2025, in Riga Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an event dedicated to the day of international recognition (de jure) of the Republic of Latvia. At the event the Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže expressed gratitude to the diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and presented Certificates of Recognition from the Cabinet of Ministers for their selfless and professional service in pursuing and protecting Latvia’s interests. Certificates of Recognition from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were presented to members of the foreign service and representatives of partner organisations for their significant personal contribution to the benefit of the foreign service and the Latvian state. 

We congratulate the recipients of the Certificates of Recognition from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia - Jeļena Markūne, the representative of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lithuania, Vitalijs Markūns, executive director of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lithunania and Rasma Balklava, the author of the book "Aiz robežas", for their significant personal contribution to the Foreign Service and for the benefit of the Latvian state.

Jeļena Markūne recieved Certificate of Recognition for long-term cooperation in the promotion of economic relations between Latvia and Lithuania, while Vitalijs Markūns recieved Certificate of Recognition for successful cooperation and significant contribution to the organization of visits, conferences and other international events. Both Jeļena Markūne and Vitalijs Markūns also closely cooperate with Embassy of Latvia in Lithuania, implementing Latvian and Lithuanian economic cooperation projects, including organizing a competition and award ceremony "Nameja balva" for Latvian companies doing business in Lithuania and the best cooperation partners of Lithuanian companies, honoring the most successful Latvian companies working in Lithuania and popularizing the products and services of Latvian entrepreneurs, thereby promoting the competitiveness of Latvian companies in the Lithuanian market.

The recipient of Certificate of Recognition Rasma Balklava in 2023 at the age of 91 published the book "Aiz robežas" about the Latvians in Eltiški (Alkiškiai) combined with her own life story. With the publication of her book, Rasma Balklava has given a new lease of life to the younger generations of the Latvian descendants in Eltiški, who continue to regularly gather at various events.

Thank you for your work and looking forward to close cooperation in the future!

More information about the event: https://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/article/celebrations-104th-anniversary-international-de-jure-recognition-latvian-state-foreign-minister-thanks-diplomats-and-cooperation-partners-their-efforts 

Photo: Laura Celmiņa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs