European Union and EU-US Relations Outlook for 2025
Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, as the WACC Ambassadors Circle Series proudly hosts H.E. Jovita Neliupšienė, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States.
This exclusive event will delve into the evolving dynamics of the EU-U.S. partnership—a cornerstone of global stability and cooperation. As the world faces pressing challenges like shifting geopolitical alliances, war, climate change, and economic uncertainty, the European Union and the United States remain steadfast in promoting shared values of democracy, innovation, and economic growth.
Ambassador Neliupšienė will offer unique insights into the transatlantic relationship, exploring areas of collaboration in trade, security, and energy and the EU’s role in addressing global challenges. Her perspective will shed light on how the EU and the U.S. continue strengthening their partnership to tackle emerging issues and foster mutual prosperity in an increasingly interconnected world.
Private Reception Sponsorship and Underwriting Info — LINK: Download Underwriting Document
WACC Ambassadors Circle Series Lunch Sponsorship Info — LINK: Download Underwriting Document
Program Information:
Date:
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Check-In and Pre-Lunch Networking:
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lunch & Presentation:
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location:
Charlotte City Club
Directions to the parking garage (set your GPS to 116 W. 4th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202). Parking will be validated.
Cost:
$50 (WACC Member Rate) | $75 (Non-Member Rate) | $30 (Young Professionals of the WACC Member) |$30 (WACC Student Member / Teacher Member)
Includes entrée, dessert, and coffee service
This event is sold out. To be placed on the wait list, please email info@worldaffairscharlotte.org.
Biography:
Jovita Neliupšienė became the Ambassador of the European Union to the United States on January 1, 2024. Before that, she was a Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania from September 2022, where she was responsible for the coordination of European Affairs, European bilateral and regional issues, as well as national sanctions coordinator.
From 2020-2022, she was Vice Minister of Economy and Innovation of Lithuania, tasked with investment and export promotion, international cooperation, including policy coordination of state-owned enterprises as well as chairing the interagency commission for export control.
In 2020, she held the post of Chancellor and State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. This position included responsibility for staff coordination, legal and consular affairs.
Between 2015-2020, she served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the EU. These years were marked by the migration crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2009-2015, she worked as an advisor and chief foreign policy advisor to the President of the Republic of Lithuania Ms. Dalia Grybauskaite. She was responsible for foreign policy coordination, inter-institutional relations, as well as the role of sherpa/EU advisor, and in this respect took a leading position in preparing and coordinating the Lithuanian presidency of the EU Council in 2013. In 2014 she was awarded the State Decoration Order “For Merit to Lithuania” Commander’s Cross.
Between 2003-2009, she served as a career diplomat in various positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, focusing on security policy and communication and was responsible for the NATO public awareness campaign before Lithuania joined the alliance. From 2005 to 2008, she was posted in Belarus, where her responsibilities included for the Embassy NATO contact point as well as work with Belarusian civil society. From 2006-2012, she was a lecturer at the Institute of International Affairs and Political Science at Vilnius University. She taught Belarus and Ukrainian studies, Politics of International Structures.
From 2000-2003, she worked as a political assistant to a member of the Parliament of Lithuania (Seimas). Her major focus was national youth policy and preparation for the first ever law on National Youth Policy. She was actively involved in several national NGOs and, in 2001, was elected as Vice President of the Council of Lithuanian Youth Organizations. She has led economic, diplomatic, and NGO delegations on official visits to multiple countries and international organizations.
Ms. Neliupšienė was born in Panevezys, Lithuania. She graduated from V. Zemkalnis Gymnasium in 1998. She received her Bachelor degree in political science at Vilnius University (2002, Cum Laude) and Bachelor in law at M. Riomeris Law University (2004). She has a Masters degree in International Relations (2004, Cum Laude) from Vilnius University and a PhD in Social Science (2009). Her doctoral thesis was on statehood construction and identity building in Belarus and Ukraine. She has published several academic works. In 2008, she spent a semester at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Over the years, she has been an active writer for national media outlets. She has been awarded nationally as a young publicist in 1998. She is a widow and has a son.