Sandra Kalniete, Latvian politician and diplomat, former Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs

Sandra Kalniete is a Latvian politician, author, diplomat and independence movement leader. She served as Foreign Minister of Latvia 2002–2004 and as European Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries in 2004. Since 2009, she has served as Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the European People's Party.

The foreign minister of the Republic of Latvia is the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is charged with being the architect Latvian foreign policy and carrying out diplomatic orders by the president of Latvia. The position was first created in 1918 after Latvian independence, and re-established in May 1990 following the restoration of the country's independence from the USSR. From October 2011 until July 2023, the position was held by Edgars Rinkēvičs.