Another commission examines possible violations at Lithuanian embassy in US

A second commission is examining additional circumstances related to possible violations at Lithuania’s embassy in the United States, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said, LRT reported. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs commission has already completed its investigation.

“Certain matters, let’s say regarding finances and other circumstances that need to be clarified, have led to a decision to continue the work a little longer from a different angle,” Budrys told journalists in parliament on Thursday.

The ministry commission submitted its findings last Friday. They gave the ministry grounds to take further action, and Budrys instructed the relevant departments to assess the circumstances and propose measures by the end of October.

Budrys said he had seen the findings but declined to comment on them or specify what the second commission is examining. He said the ministry wanted to conclude the process as soon as possible, adding that the first commission was impartial and independent and had recommended further steps.

News website Delfi first reported allegations of a negative working environment at the embassy, citing the results of an anonymous survey conducted late last year. The outlet also reported that the ministry had received complaints about Ambassador Gediminas Varvuolis, including claims of disrespectful conduct, raised voices and long working hours.

Varvuolis previously said he had not personally heard complaints from embassy staff about his conduct. He was appointed ambassador to the United States last summer, replacing diplomat Audra Plepytė. He previously led Lithuania’s embassies in Japan and Belgium and served as deputy head of Lithuania’s permanent representation to NATO.