Committee calls for investigation into complaints about US ambassador

LRT reported that Lithuania’s parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee is calling for an investigation after reports that the Foreign Ministry received complaints about the conduct of Ambassador to the United States Gediminas Varvuolis.

The news portal Delfi, citing sources, reported that some embassy employees had contacted the Foreign Ministry over what they described as disrespectful behaviour, raised voices and long working hours.

According to the report, employees also held a remote conversation with the ministry’s inspector general and spoke with the ministry’s chancellor, who reportedly promised concrete measures to address the situation. However, no investigation into Varvuolis had been opened, and the ambassador declined to comment on the complaints.

Žygimantas Pavilionis, deputy chairman of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, said he had learned about tensions at the embassy from his own sources. He said an investigation was necessary because the United States was a critically important strategic partner for Lithuania.

“If there is even the smallest sign of smoke in such an embassy, it is necessary to check whether there is a fire,” Pavilionis told ELTA.

He said the committee should consider appointing independent investigators or commissions and that he would raise the issue at its first meeting. Pavilionis also said Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys must take the initiative in clarifying the circumstances.

“Something is happening there. The minister must answer what it is immediately, rather than say that nothing is happening,” Pavilionis said.

Remigijus Motuzas, chairman of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, said institutions generally preferred not to discuss internal problems publicly until they had been clarified.

However, he agreed that an investigation into Varvuolis would be needed. Motuzas said the Foreign Ministry had an inspectorate and internal audit functions, adding that such matters were usually handled by the General Inspectorate.

Motuzas, who had previously served as an ambassador, described Varvuolis as a professional and tactful diplomat.