Jeļena Markūne, Rasma Balklava and Vitālijs Markūns received the Certificates of Appreciation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia

On January 29, 2025, a ceremonial event dedicated to the Day of International Recognition (de iure) of the Republic of Latvia was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riga. At the ceremonial event, Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže thanked the diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and presented the Certificate of Appreciation from the Cabinet of Ministers for their selflessness, professionalism, ensuring the implementation and defense of Latvia’s interests. Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and cooperation organizations also received Certificates of Appreciation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for significant personal contribution to the foreign service and the state of Latvia.

Among the recipients of the Certificates of Appreciation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia – Jeļena Markūne, Representative of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Lithuania, Rasma Balklava, author of the book “Beyond the Borders” and Vitālijs Markūns, Executive Director of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce in Lithuania, for significant personal contribution to the foreign service and the state of Latvia.

Jeļena Markūne received the award for her long-term cooperation in promoting economic relations between Latvia and Lithuania, while Vitālijs Markūns was recognized for his 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 the Latvian Embassy in Lithuania, implementing Latvian-Lithuanian economic cooperation projects, including organizing a competition and award ceremony “Nameja balva” for the best Latvian companies doing business in Lithuania and the best cooperation partners – Lithuanian companies, honoring the most successful Latvian companies operating in Lithuania and popularizing the products and services of Latvian entrepreneurs, thus promoting the competitiveness of Latvian companies in the Lithuanian market.

Rasma Balklava, in 2023, at the age of 91, published a voluminous book “Aiz Robežas” (Beyond the Border), about the history of the Latvians of Eltiškis (Alkiškiai) intertwined with her own life story. With the publication of her book, R. Balklava has given new life to the younger generations of the descendants of the Latvians of Eltiškis, who continue to regularly gather for grave celebrations and other events.

More about the ceremonial event https://www.mfa.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/atzimejot-latvijas-valsts-starptautiskas-atzisanas-104-gadadienu-arlietu-ministre-pateicas-diplomatiem-un-sadarbibas-partneriem-par-ieguldito-darbu-valsts-laba

Photo: Laura Celmiņa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs