No Official Complaints Against Ambassador to U.S., Lithuanian Officials Say

Lithuanian Foreign Ministry officials assert they have received no official complaints concerning the behavior of the ambassador to the United States. Ramūnas Motuzas, head of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs, stated that while discussions have touched on issues like overtime and heavy workloads among embassy staff, there are no concrete grievances specifically directed at the ambassador's conduct.

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And that there would be very specific (talked about - ELTA) about the ambassador's behavior - there are no such complaints.

Motuzas mentioned an instance where the ambassador reportedly asked staff to work on July 4th, a U.S. holiday. He suggested that employees should voice concerns if they feel such requests are inappropriate. The ministry is establishing a commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding these reports within the next week.

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I think we need to react, because, as we say, the embassy is a submarine, and if the microclimate is bad and some people are unhappy, feel bad, of course, we can steer that submarine in the wrong direction.

Adding another layer to the situation, the Foreign Ministry has requested the Seimas Ethics and Procedures Commission to evaluate the actions of MP Žygimantas Pavilionis. Pavilionis, a vice-chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, has reportedly attempted informal communication with the U.S. embassy staff. The ministry questions whether his actions comply with regulations on balancing public and private interests and the appropriate use of his parliamentary authority.

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We politicians probably shouldn't interfere in what's happening in the embassy.

Despite the reported issues, Motuzas described Ambassador Gintautas Varvuolis as a highly professional diplomat. He indicated plans to meet with the ambassador next week, emphasizing that the ambassador has consistently represented Lithuania's interests effectively. Motuzas stressed the importance of avoiding political interference in the embassy's internal affairs, comparing the embassy to a submarine where a negative microclimate could lead it astray.

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I would assess the ambassador as very professional. As much as he has worked, he has always been very professional. As we say, this person is a true diplomat.