Foreign relations of Lithuania

Lithuania joined the European Union as a full member on 1 May 2004.

Lithuania joined NATO as a full member on 29 March 2004.

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 February 2000.^[10]

Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 23, 2004.^[10]

• Argentina is accredited to Lithuania from its embassy in Warsaw, Poland.
• Lithuania is accredited to Argentina from its embassy in Madrid, Spain and maintains honorary consulates in Buenos Aires and in Santa Fe.

• Brazil is accredited to Lithuania from its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark and maintains an honorary consulate in Vilnius.
• Lithuania maintains a consulate-general in São Paulo.

• Canada has an embassy office in Vilnius.
• Lithuania has an embassy in Ottawa.

Lithuania and Mexico initially established diplomatic relations on 31 May 1938 and signed a Treaty of Friendship in Washington, D.C., United States. Mexico never recognized the annexation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union and condemned the action. On 5 November 1991, Mexico recognized and re-established diplomatic relations with Lithuania. In 2002, President Valdas Adamkus paid a visit to Mexico and met with Mexican President Vicente Fox. In 2008, President Adamkus returned to Mexico for a visit and met with Mexican President Felipe Calderón.^[11]

• Lithuania is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States and maintains an honorary consulate in Mexico City.
• Mexico is accredited to Lithuania from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden and maintains an honorary consulate in Vilnius.^[12]

Lithuania and the United States first entered into diplomatic relations on 28 July 1992, thanks to enormous efforts from governmental officials of Lithuania and members of the Lithuanian community in the U.S. During the entire period when Lithuania was occupied, the U.S. pursued a policy of non-recognition of the occupation. After independence was restored, on 6 September 1991 the two countries resumed their cross-border relations. U.S. governmental and non-governmental organisations have lent a lot of assistance to strengthen the public and governmental institutions and market economy of the fledgling democracy.^[13] On 2 October 1992, the U.S. embassy was launched in Vilnius. On 22 November 2002, U.S. President George W. Bush paid the first official visit to Lithuania. On 8 May 2003, the United States Senate cast a unanimous vote ratifying NATO membership protocols and opening up a door to NATO for Lithuania.^[14] Currently, there are 29 bilateral agreements regulating the relationship between Lithuania and the U.S. in various field.^[15]

• Lithuania has an embassy in Washington, D.C., and consulates-general in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.
• United States has an embassy in Vilnius.

• Armenia is represented in Lithuania through its embassy in Warsaw (Poland).
• Lithuania has an embassy in Yerevan.
• There are around 2,500 people of Armenian descent living in Lithuania.
• Lithuania has recognized the Armenian genocide in 2005.
• Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Armenia (in Lithuanian only) Archived 30 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine

• Azerbaijan recognized the independence of Lithuania on 10 September 1991.
• Lithuania recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on 20 December 1991.
• Azerbaijan has an embassy in Vilnius.
• Lithuania has an embassy in Baku.
• Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
• Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Cooperation with Azerbaijan Archived 30 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
• Foreign Minister of Lithuania to pay official visit to Azerbaijan

The Republic of China established diplomatic relations in 1921.

China has an embassy in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Beijing. In 1992, the embassy of China was established in Vilnius and in 1995, the embassy of Lithuania was established in Beijing.

• India has an honorary consulate in Vilnius.
• Lithuania has an embassy in New Delhi and an Honorary Consulate in Mumbai, India.

• Iran is accredited to Lithuania from its embassy in Warsaw, Poland.
• Lithuania is accredited to Iran from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.

Israel recognized Lithuania's independence in 1992. Both countries established diplomatic relation in 1992. Israel is represented in Lithuania through its embassy in Vilnius (previously through its embassy in Riga, Latvia). Lithuania has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 2 honorary consulates (in Herzliya and Ramat Gan).

Relations between Lithuania and Japan started on 22 December 1922, when Lithuania was recognized by Japan de jure.^[16][17] In 1939 the Consulate of Japan, headed by vice-consul Chiune Sugihara, was opened in Kaunas. It was closed in 1940 when Lithuania was annexed by the Soviet Union.On 6 September 1991, Japan recognized the independence of the Republic of Lithuania from the Soviet Union and on 10 October, Diplomatic relations were restored.In 1997, Embassy of Japan was established in Lithuania, in 1998, Embassy of Lithuania was established in Japan.In 2006 May, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Taro Aso visited Lithuania, and Kirkilas, the Prime Minister of Lithuania, visited Japan just three months later. Bilateral relations were strengthen by the official state visit of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in 2007 May.^[18]

• Kazakhstan has an embassy in Vilnius.^[19]
• Lithuania has an embassy in Nur-Sultan and an honorary consulate in Almaty.^[20]
• Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Kazakhstan (in Lithuanian only) Archived 30 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine

• Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 July 1992.^[10]
• Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Lithuania has an honorary consulate in Kuala Lumpur,^[21] while Malaysia embassy in Stockholm were also accredited to Lithuania.

• The establishment of diplomatic relations between the South Korea and Lithuania began in October 1991.
• Bilateral Trade in 2014
  • Exports US$216,000,000
  • Imports US$50,000,000
• Bilateral Trade in 2014
  • South Korea's Investment in Lithuania US$3,340,000
  • Lithuania's Investment in South Korea US$145,000
• According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade there are as few as 41 South Koreans living in Lithuania.^[22][23]
• Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Cooperation with South Korea Archived 1 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine
• South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade about relations with Lithuania (in Korean only)

• Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 August 1992.^[10]
• Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

• Lithuania has an embassy in Ankara.
• Turkey has an embassy in Vilnius.
• Both countries are full members of NATO.
• Lithuania is an EU member and Turkey is an EU candidate. Lithuania supports Turkey's accession negotiations to the EU, although negotiations have now been suspended.

• Austria is accredited to Lithuania from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vienna and maintains an honorary consulate in Vilnius.^[24]
• Lithuania has an embassy in Vienna.^[25]
• Both countries are full members of the European Union.
• Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Austria (in Lithuanian only) Archived 30 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine

Lithuania entered into an international relationship with Belarus in 1991, when, on 20 December, the Supreme Council of Lithuania recognised the independence of the Republic of Belarus, with Belarus recognising the independence of Lithuania a week later, on 27 December. On 30 December 1992, an agreement to enter into diplomatic relations was made in Minsk.^[26] In 1995, the presidents of the two countries, Algirdas Brazauskas and Alexander Lukashenko signed an agreement on Good Neighbourhood and Cooperation. Top-ranking governmental officials have exchanged visits. Since 2007, the heads of the governments of the two states have been meeting on regular basis. Belarus is an important economic partner to Lithuania,^[27] yet Lithuania supports the stance of the EU and other international organisations on this state. Recently, the nuclear power plant under construction in Astravyets, Belarus, which is considered by Lithuania unsafe, has been escalating tensions. On top of that, Belarus's growing energy, economic, and military dependence on Russia is forcing Lithuania to exercise caution in measuring the political decisions of the country. Currently, there are 27 bilateral agreements regulating the relationship between Lithuania and Belarus in different areas.^[28]

• Belarus has an embassy in Vilnius.^[29]
• Lithuania has an embassy in Minsk^[30] and a general consulate in Hrodna.^[31]
• Both countries share 680 km of common border.

• Bulgaria has an embassy in Vilnius.^[33]
• Lithuania has an embassy in Sofia.
• Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Bulgaria (in Lithuanian only) Archived 30 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
• Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign affairs Archived 16 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
• Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

After Lithuania regained its independence in 1990, Denmark's government approved of and lent its assistance to the establishment of the Baltic Information Bureau in Copenhagen in the fall of 1990, to become the first Baltic institution of the kind in Western Europe. On 28 February 1991, the Danish and the Lithuanian foreign ministers inked a mutual protocol, undertaking to reconstruct diplomatic relations whenever possible. The Lithuanian–Denmark diplomatic relations were restored on 26 September 1991. On the initiative of Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, then the Danish foreign minister, an active policy on the Baltics was established and followed until our country joined NATO and the EU. Denmark's tremendous assistance to Lithuania was instrumental to the achievement of our NATO and EU ambitions and the huge inflow of Danish investments in Lithuania. Today, the two countries are cooperating very closely in the fields of defence and economy.

Finland recognised Lithuania's independence on 28 August 1991, and the two countries started diplomatic relations the very same day. Finland is a key partner and neighbour to Lithuania, with the countries pursuing active cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, regional, information security, to name a few. Currently, there are 11 bilateral agreements regulating the relationship between Lithuania and Finland different fields.^[34]

• Finland has an embassy in Vilnius.
• Lithuania has an embassy in Helsinki.
• Both countries are members of the European Union and NATO.

The first contacts between Lithuania and France were established back in the fall of 1918, and the 1919 Versailles peace conference featured a Lithuanian delegation under Oskaras Milašius. France pronounced de jure recognition of Lithuania on 20 December 1922, becoming a key political partner to the state of Lithuania of the period. During the times of Soviet occupation, Lithuania did not have an official mission to France, even though individual persons were allowed to act in an emissary capacity. The diplomatic relations were resumed on 29 August 1991.

• France has an embassy in Vilnius.
• Lithuania has an embassy in Paris.
• Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

See Germany–Lithuania relations

Germany was the first state to de jure recognise Lithuania's statehood on 23 March 1918. Even though Lithuania had been trying to build close ties with this country before the Second World War, on 23 March 1939 Germany made an ultimatum and took over the region of Klaipėda. With the Second World War raging on, in summer 1941, Germany pushed the invading Soviet regime out of Lithuania and occupied the country until early 1945. During the period, in 1942, Germany established a self-government reporting to the German authorities. In the wake of the failed coup and the factual collapse of the Soviet Union in August 1991, on 27 August 1991, the Federal Republic of Germany recognised the independence of the Republic of Lithuania and entered into diplomatic relation s with the country on 28 August. On 28 November 1991, Germany supported Lithuania's membership in the EU and NATO. On the basis of the decisions made at the 2016 NATO Summit in Warsaw, as of February 2017, Lithuania hosts a NATO enhanced forward presence battlegroup under German command. Currently, there are 21 bilateral agreements regulating the historically finest relationship between Lithuania and Germany.

The first Pope to de jure recognise Lithuania in 1922 was Pius XI, with Kazys Bizauskas dispatched to represent Lithuania in the Vatican. In 1926, Kaunas ecclesiastical province was established, and a concord with the Holy See was signed in 1927.^[37] The latter had never recognised Lithuania's incorporation into the Soviet Union. Lithuania had its embassies to the Holy See in Rome. Full-fledged diplomatic relations were resumed on 30 September 1991 with a bilateral declaration signed in Vilnius.^[38] On 11 July 1992, Kazys Lozoraitis became Lithuania's first ambassador to the Holy See.^[39] Currently, there are 4 bilateral agreements regulating the relationship between Lithuania and the Holy See in different fields.^[40]

• Iceland was the first country which recognised Lithuania's Independence from the Soviet Union on 11 January 1991.^[41]

• Lithuania recognized Kosovo on 6 May 2008.^[42] Diplomatic relations commenced on 16 July 2008.^[43]

The diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Latvia date back to 1919. On 12 February 1921, Latvia de jure recognised Lithuania. Throughout the entire period of independence of the two states between the two world wars, efforts were being made to strengthen cross-border and international cooperation by establishing new unions and partnerships. This did not produce any significant results. After the two countries restored their statehood, their diplomatic relations were resumed on 5 October 1991, when an agreement on the reconstruction of the state border, promotion and protection of investments, air service, and other matters, was made.^[44] Today, Latvia ranks second on the list of Lithuania's export partners, and fourth in terms of imports.^[45] Currently, the relations between Lithuania and Latvia in different fields are regulated by 23 bilateral agreements.^[46] and 22 tripartite agreements, which involve Estonia^[47]

• Malta is represented in Lithuania through a non-resident ambassador based in Valletta (in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• and an honorary consulate in Vilnius.^[49]
• Lithuania is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome (Italy) and an honorary consulate in Valletta.^[50]
• Both countries are full members of the European Union.
• Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Malta (in Lithuanian only) Archived 30 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine

• Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 July 1992.^[10]
• Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1992.^[51]

• Lithuania has an embassy in The Hague.
• The Netherlands has an embassy in Vilnius.
• Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

Norway recognised Lithuania's independence on 24 August 1991. On 27 August, the countries entered into diplomatic relations. Norway is a key partner in the areas of economy, energy security, and defence. Currently, there are 12 bilateral agreements regulating the relationship between Lithuania and Norway in different areas.^[52]

Lithuania and Poland have a long history of mutual relations: from a common state to the period when all diplomatic ties were cut. Currently, the Lithuania-Poland relations are excellent. Poland recognised Lithuania's independence on 26 August 1991, and the two countries entered into a diplomatic relationship on 5 August 1991. To promote cross-border relations, an agreement on friendly relations and good neighbourly cooperation between the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Poland^[53] was signed on 26 April 1994. The agreement regulates the underlying principles that support the cooperation between the countries, waiving any territorial claims, and defines the rights of ethnic minorities. In February 1995, the first official visit of the Lithuania's president to Warsaw took place. To ensure a more efficient cooperation between the countries and to facilitate the implementation of bilateral projects, in 1997, three joint institutions – the Advisory Committee of the presidents of Lithuania and Poland, the Lithuanian-Polish Interparliamentary Assembly, and the Lithuanian-Polish Council of Intergovernmental cooperation – were founded. Bilateral cooperation became very close and intensive with the election of Valdas Adamkus and Aleksander Kwaśniewski presidents of the two countries. Poland was an important ally to Lithuania in the country's bid to attain EU and NATO membership, both presidents acted as mediators during the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, and the countries still agree on foreign political threats and the importance of energy independence. Later, there has been some tension in the relations due to the controversy over the situation with ethnic minorities and the disputes over the spelling of Polish personal and place names and Polish schools in Lithuania. Difficulties in education are a challenge that the Lithuanian minority in Puńsk and Sejny is facing. With the changes that occurred in the geopolitical situation of the region in 2016 and energy and transportation infrastructural projects underway, the relationship between Lithuania and Poland is recovering, Poland is actively involved in ensuring the security of the Batic region, its troops are continuously participating in NATO military training exercises in Lithuania.

• Romania recognized Lithuania's independence on 26 August 1991.
• Diplomatic relations between both countries have been resumed on 13 September 1991.
• Lithuania has an embassy in Bucharest.^[54]
• Romania has an embassy in Vilnius.^[55]
• Both countries are full members of NATO, the European Union, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
• Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Romania (in Lithuanian only) Archived 23 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine

On 12 July 1920, Lithuania signed a Peace Treaty with the Soviet Russia, whereby Russia recognises the sovereignty and independence of the State of Lithuania^[56] without reservations and with all of the resulting legal implications, and in good faith abandoned all of Russia's national and territorial claims for all times.’^[57] On 27 July 1991, Lithuania and Russia signed an agreement On the Grounds of Cross-border Relations.^[58] By this agreement, the countries recognised each other a full-fledged subject of international law and a sovereign state. On 9 October, of the same year, representatives of the two states exchanged notes that signified ultimate recognition of the independence and sovereignty of the state of Lithuania. Russia's troops took a little longer to withdraw from Lithuania. The last of the Russian military deployed in Lithuania left the territory of the country on 31 August 1993.^[59] Lithuania supports the stance of the EU and other international organisations towards this state and approves the policy of sanctions. The country does not recognise the annexation of part of Georgian and Ukrainian territories to the Russian Federation. The country also takes active steps to protect its information space. Currently, there are 39 bilateral agreements regulating the relationship between Lithuania and Russia in different fields. Lithuania has an embassy in Moscow.^[60] Russia has an embassy in Vilnius, with a consulate in Klaipėda.^[61]

• Lithuania is represented in Serbia through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary).^[62]
• Serbia is represented in Lithuania through its embassy in Warsaw (Poland) and the diplomatic office in Belgrade.
• Lithuania is an EU member and Serbia is an EU candidate.
• Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Serbia (in Lithuanian only) Archived 16 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
• Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Lithuania Archived 19 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine

• Lithuania is represented in Slovakia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria).
• Slovakia is represented in Lithuania through its embassy in Riga (Latvia).
• Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union.
• Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Slovakia (in Lithuanian only) Archived 30 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 August 1991.^[64]

• Lithuania has an embassy in Madrid.
• Spain has an embassy in Vilnius.
• Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

• Lithuania has an embassy in Stockholm.
• Sweden has an embassy in Vilnius.
• Both countries are members of the European Union and NATO.

• Lithuania has an embassy in Kyiv and an honorary consulates in Lviv.^[66]
• Ukraine has an embassy in Vilnius and 3 honorary consulates (in Klaipėda, Šalčininkai and Visaginas).^[67]
• There are around 44,000 ethnic Ukrainians living in Lithuania and around 11,000 ethnic Lithuanians living in Ukraine.
• Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Ukraine (in Lithuanian only) Archived 16 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine

The history of Lithuania's relations with the United Kingdom started on 20 December 1921 with de jure recognition of Lithuania's statehood. The UK became a key export partner. When Lithuania lost independence, the UK officially closed Lithuania's embassy in London but allowed the ambassador to act in this capacity. On 27 August 1991, the UK recognised the restored state of independent Lithuania and soon thereafter transferred to the Bank of Lithuania the frozen gold reserves of Lithuania. On 4 September 1991, the two countries resumed their diplomatic relations.^[68] In addition to intensive economic, military, social cooperation, Lithuania and the United Kingdom stand in close cooperation in the areas of education, science, and culture. Currently, there are 8 bilateral agreements regulating the relationship between Lithuania and the UK in various fields.^[69]

• The UK recognized the restoration of Lithuanian independence on 27 August 1991.
• The United Kingdom has an embassy in Vilnius and an honorary consulate in Klaipėda.^[70]
• Lithuania has an embassy in London and 5 honorary consulates (in Northern Ireland, Northumberland,
• Scotland, Wales and the West Midlands).^[71]
• There are around 100,000 Lithuanian people living in the United Kingdom.
• Both countries are full members of NATO.
• British Foreign and Commonwealth Office about relations with Lithuania
• Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Poland (in Lithuanian only) Archived 16 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine

• Australia is accredited to Lithuania from its embassy in Warsaw, Poland and maintains an honorary consulate in Vilnius.
• Lithuania has an embassy in Canberra.^[72]