European Commission appoints new Head of Representation in Lithuania

Mr Arnoldas Pranckevičiuswill take up office as Head of Representation of the European Commission in Lithuania on 16 October 2016. He will bring over ten years of European and International affairs experience as well as strong outreach and communication skills to this post.

Since 2009 Mr Pranckevičius has advised the Presidents of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek (2009-2012) and Martin Schulz (since 2012), on external policies in their respective Cabinets.

Earlier, Mr Pranckevičius had joined the European Parliament as an official in the Directorate General for External Policies covering Interparliamentary Delegations (2006-2009) and more specifically the work of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (2009).

He began his career as Domestic Policy Adviser to the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus (2004-2005).

Mr Pranckevičius obtained his Master's Degree in European Affairs, International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution from the Paris Institute of Political Studies and his Bachelor's Degree in International Relations from Colgate University, New York. He has also studied at the Institute of Journalism at Vilnius University.

Background

The Commission has Representations in all 28 EU Member States as well as Regional Offices in Barcelona, Belfast, Bonn, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Marseille, Milan, Munich and Wroclaw. The Representations are the Commission's eyes, ears and voice on the ground in all EU Member States. They interact with national authorities and stakeholders and inform the media and the public about EU policies. The Representations report to the Commission's headquarters on significant developments in the Member States. Since the beginning of the Juncker Commission, Heads of Representations are appointed by the President and are his political representatives in the Member State to which they are posted.

For more information:

https://ec.europa.eu/lithuania/home_lt

IP/16/3324