Commission transfers, in the interest of the service, Rytis Martikonis as Head of Representation in Vilnius

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

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