Ambassador Kuzma "thanked U.S. President for his personal role and profound understanding of transatlantic security issues and for the international leadership of the U.S. in countering Russia in its war against Ukraine," according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"The Ambassador conveyed greetings to the U.S. President from the President of Latvia adding that the latter was currently in the State of California to promote economic and bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The U.S. President commended Latvia and noted that the U.S. would continue to cooperate with Latvia to strengthen defence cooperation, and he also emphasised the shared commitment by Latvia and the U.S. to defending every inch of the NATO Member States’ territory," the Ministry said.
Elita Kuzma is Latvia's first female ambassador to the U.S.. She joined the Foreign Service in 1992, taking up a post at the Economic Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She has worked at the Western European Division, to later become Director of the First Political Department and Under State Secretary at the First Political Directorate. She has also held the posts of Ambassador – Head of the Economic and Bilateral Relations Directorate, Ambassador – Head of the European Union Directorate, and Head of the State Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Her previous postings abroad include serving as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Italian Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Czech Republic, as well as being Permanent Representative of Latvia to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
She has also been non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary, the Swiss Confederation, the Republic of Slovenia, the Republic of Slovakia, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Republic of San Marino, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Albania, the State of Kuwait, the Republic of Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to the Holy See and the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta.
Elita Kuzma graduated from the Faculty of Finance and Trade of the University of Latvia and the Institute of International Relations of the University of Latvia. But she is no stranger to the United States, having previously studied at Stanford University.
