26 February 2026 11:36 UTC · European Commission · EU Commission Press Release · Source · Email X Link

European Commission transfers Rytis Martikonis as Vilnius Head

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Transfers Rytis Martikonis as Head of Representation in Vilnius
Appointment effective 1 July 2026

TL;DR

European Commission says it decided to transfer Rytis Martikonis as Head of Representation in Vilnius, Lithuania.
European Commission says the decision takes effect on 1 July 2026 and he will act under President Ursula von der Leyen's political authority.
European Commission says Martikonis has over 30 years' experience, is a Lithuanian national, currently chairs the Regulatory Scrutiny Board, and will become Hors Classe Adviser for Democratic Resilience from 1 March.

Original text

European Commission - Press release Commission transfers, in the interest of the service, Rytis Martikonis as Head of Representation in Vilnius Brussels, 26 February 2026 Today, the European Commission decided to transfer, in the interest of the service, Rytis Martikonis as Head of Representation in Vilnius, Lithuania. In this function, he will act as the official representative of the European Commission in Lithuania under the political authority of President Ursula von der Leyen . This decision will take effect on 1 July 2026. With over 30 years of experience, Mr Martikonis has steered high-level diplomatic engagements, overseen strategic communications, and managed large multidisciplinary teams in complex political environments. Throughout his career, Mr Martikonis has developed a profound understanding of European affairs, fostering consensus among diverse EU and national stakeholders. He has also demonstrated strong communication skills, ensuring clear, precise and consistent messaging that effectively advances EU priorities and supports coherent policy narratives. These skills, combined with his in-depth knowledge of the Lithuanian political context, make him particularly well suited to serve as Representative of the European Commission in Vilnius. Mr Martikonis, a Lithuanian national, is currently Chair of the Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB), a position he has held for the past four years. From 1 March, he will assume the role of Hors Classe Adviser for Democratic Resilience at the Directorate-General for Communication. Previously, he served as Director-General of the Directorate-General for Translation (DGT). Before joining the Commission in 2011, Mr Martikonis worked on European affairs in national administration in Lithuania, and was also a member of the Convention on the Future of the European Union. Background The Commission maintains Representations in all EU Member State capitals, as well as Regional Offices in Barcelona, Bonn, Marseille, Milan, Munich, and Wroclaw. The Representations act as the Commission's eyes, ears, and voice on the ground in Member States. They engage with national authorities, stakeholders, and citizens, and inform the media and the public about EU policies. Heads of Representations are appointed by the President of the European Commission and act as her political representatives in the Member State to which they are posted. For more information Welcome to the website of the European Commission Representation in Lithuania . IP/26/489 Press contacts: Balazs UJVARI (+32 2 29 54578) Isabel OTERO BARDERAS (+32 2 29 66925) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email

European Commission transfers Rytis Martikonis as Vilnius Head

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