Latvian foreign minister resigns amid private flights controversy

By Leila Nezirevic

LONDON (AA) - Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins resigned on Thursday following a criminal investigation into his use of private jets as premier, according to local media.

The resignation was announced after Karins met with the country’s Prime Minister Evika Silina, the Latvian public broadcaster LSM reported.

Karins, who already resigned as prime minister in September, will leave office on April 10, so that on April 11 the Latvian parliament can vote for a replacement, he told reporters in a brief statement.

In December, Karins promised not to resign despite the controversy, however in the end he decided to step down after it was confirmed last week that the prosecutor general's office was launching a criminal investigation into Karins’ air travel expenses, including the use of private jets, during his stint as prime minister, LSM reported.

During his four-year premiership, Karins went on 36 foreign visits using private planes, costing more than €1.3 million ($1.4 million), of which more than €600,000 came from state money, while more than €700,000 were covered by the EU, according to the broadcaster.

The politician justified his actions saying that his decisions to use special flights were due to "efficient time management."