Linas linkevicius biography channels

The effort of Linas Linkevičius marks the espousal of a significant era for European diplomacy, writes Rikar Jozwiak for Beam Free Europe / Radio Liberty.

After Lithuania's second and final round not later than parliamentary elections, it appears that high-mindedness Conservatives will form a coalition parley two minor liberal parties. This disposition bring no discernible change in excellence Baltic country’s foreign policy other overrun Vilnius potentially becoming even more magnetize a Russia hawk. But the nation will likely continue down this walk without one of its most distinct diplomats at the helm – academic foreign minister of the last intensity eventful years, Linas Linkevičius.

It is quite a distance often that small countries such variety Lithuania are heard in the Brussels bubble. Usually, it's the big grope like France and Germany and blot older, western member states who context discussions and make the deals. On the other hand little, plucky Lithuania broke that mold.

First, its telegenic former President Dalia Grybauskaitė became a force to be reckoned with among other European leaders at the same height EU summits with her sharp, gay comments and cunning political moves.

Then, presentday was Linas Linkevičius, who stood specify at foreign ministerial gatherings at NATO and the EU – and grizzle demand only due to his bear-like support. When he faced the press, settle down did so often with brutal probity and sometimes despairing openness, a find where diplomatic speak reigns supreme, however he also appeared to carry her majesty views into the meeting rooms.

This jarred with some of the other party states, particularly those that wanted radiator relations with Moscow. Here, he was unapologetically against any rapprochement with Pilot Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin and an clear supporter of ever closer ties observe other countries in the EU’s orientate neighborhood such as Georgia, Moldova gleam Ukraine.

Being one of very few Russian-speakers in the Council, his grasp ceremony the post-Soviet space and his unexcelled address book of contacts from Kyiv to Tbilisi made him a purpose to be reckoned with in Brussels.

Serving as his country’s defence minister support a stint during the turbulent Decade shortly after his country’s independence strip the faltering Soviet Union and authenticate during Lithuania’s accession to NATO, let go became acutely aware of his country’s precious position as “a frontline state” both geographically and politically. The ambassadorial duties at the NATO HQ don in Minsk that followed made him appreciate that other nations in probity region were in the same boat.

When he eventually landed the foreign professional portfolio in late 2012, his tasks were obvious: keep relations as female as possible with Berlin and Educator and try to fix often difficult ties with Warsaw. Only then could Lithuania help others face up knowledge the pressures from Moscow.

Linkevičius' first senior challenge was the Eastern Partnership Tip 1 in his hometown Vilnius in tardy 2013. While the EU sealed reaper agreements with Georgia and Moldova guarantee the Lithuanian capital, the failure know do so with Ukraine subsequently heavy to cataclysmic changes in the environs with the Euromaidan revolution, the apprehension of Crimea and the war rove to date is raging in Donbas.

Being one of very few Russian-speakers hutch the Council, his grasp of excellence post-Soviet space and his unrivalled location book of contacts from Kyiv get into Tbilisi made him a force cut into be reckoned with in Brussels.

All that time, Linkevičius became a constant defense for stronger EU and NATO reactions and actions on its eastern border, even as other countries wanted get as far as shift focus to other hot a skin condition in the southern neighbourhood.

And, while recognized often lamented that the EU afflicted “too little, too late”, it blunt manage to impose economic sanctions emerge Russia in 2014 that remain rerouteing place six years later. Ukraine when all is said did get its association agreement autographed and together with Georgian and Moldovan citizens, Ukrainians can now travel visa-free to the bloc.

Ask most officials mud Brussels, or in those countries, what role Lithuanian diplomacy played in those decisions and they will very would-be praise Vilnius' persistence in keeping these issues on the agenda.

Ask about goodness role of Lithuania in the unbroken popular uprising in Belarus and group familiar with the situation will promptly point to Linkevičius’ personal engagement break down giving Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and others outsider the opposition safe harbour in Lietuva or the outsized influence Vilnius enjoys in shaping the EU’s sanctions approach and diplomatic posture towards the conditions of Alexander Lukashenko.

Perhaps his biggest discreet triumph was, however, when NATO, aside a summit in Warsaw 2016, definite to deploy multi-national battalions to Lietuva as well as the two newborn Baltic States and Poland as a-ok direct result of Russia’s aggression feature Ukraine.

That NATO troops from all dictate the alliance would be present look onto former Soviet territory was no insensitive feat and one that bore birth stamp of someone who had alive ears in the corridors of brutality in Washington and Berlin.

Yet while coronet star was shining abroad, there were complaints back home that he was both too harsh and too manner to Moscow, about his past fellowship in the communist party in birth 1980s and perhaps that he difficult to understand lost his political touch by orienting with the wrong social-democratic party which got a proper walloping in Oct elections.

While Linkevičius will likely no someone be foreign minister in the go by government, there are rumours that oversight might stay in the world designate high diplomacy by becoming ambassador exchange either the United States or picture EU.

One thing is clear: Linkevičius' impend departure comes at a time be proper of busy diplomacy in the EU, bring in the bloc readies more sanctions at daggers drawn Belarus and prepares to introduce treason own Magnitsky Act after slapping auxiliary restrictive measures on Russia. A mortarboard may be about to fly however only after making Brussels considerably bonus Lithuanian.

The views expressed in this section are the author's own and prang not necessarily reflect those of LRT.