Lithuanian ministry completes inquiry into alleged US embassy violations

Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has completed an inquiry into possible violations at the country’s embassy in the United States and submitted its findings to ministry leaders, LRT reported.

The findings provide grounds for further action, the ministry said in a statement on Friday. Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has instructed the relevant departments to assess the circumstances identified and submit proposals on possible measures by the end of October.

The ministry has not made the commission’s findings public.

The inquiry followed media reports about ambassador Gediminas Varvuolis’s conduct, which reportedly caused concern among embassy staff. Delfi reported in early August that some staff had approached the ministry to complain about what they described as disrespectful behaviour, raised voices and long working hours.

BNS also reported that representatives of the opposition Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats were holding informal discussions about Varvuolis’s work. The ministry formed the commission in response to the reports.

Varvuolis has served as Lithuania’s ambassador to the United States since August 1 last year.