Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Latvia

Currently, Ojārs Kalniņš is a member of the Latvian Parliament from the political block „Vienotība” and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Latvia. From 2000 – 2011, Ojārs Kalniņš was the director of the Latvian Institute, a government-funded, non-profit agency promoting Latvia’s image at home and abroad through education. From 1993-1999, Kalniņš served as Latvia’s ambassador to the United States and Mexico. During his tenure, Ambassador Kalniņš played a vital role in the strengthening of bilateral ties, including US support for Russian troop withdrawal in 1994, the destruction of the Soviet military radar post in Skrunda and hosting President Bill Clinton’s Riga visit. Kalnins also served as a counselor minister and DCM in the Latvian Embassy in 1991-1992. From 1985-1990, he handled press and public affairs for the American Latvian Association in Rockville, Maryland. Kalniņš also served as an advisor to the Latvian National Front (1988-91), the Latvian National Independence Movement (1988-1991), and many others.