Foreign relations of Lithuania

Lithuania is a European country located on the south-eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. It is a member of the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the World Trade Organisation. Currently, Lithuania maintains diplomatic relations with 186 states. It became a member of the United Nations on 18 September 1991, and is a signatory to a number of its organizations and other international agreements. It is also a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, NATO and its adjunct North Atlantic Coordinating Council, the Council of Europe, and the European Union. Lithuania gained membership in the World Trade Organization on 31 May 2001.

Lithuania's membership in the EU

On 1 May 2004, Lithuania became one of the 27 member states of the European Union. The EU activities affect different spheres of politics, from consumer rights to national defence matters. In the second half of 2013, Lithuania took presidency over the EU Council. Membership in the Union has strengthened the domestic economy, giving it access to the wide pan-European market. Foreign direct investments in Lithuania are growing. The country is poised to become energy-independent. The accession to the Schengen space in 2007 has opened up possibilities for the free movement of both citizens and goods across 25 European states. Lithuania's citizens enjoy equal social guarantees while working, travelling, or studying at the Community's countries. The country now benefits from additional EU fund and programme funding in the field of education and science. As an EU citizen, every citizen of Lithuania has the guarantee of consular assistance of EU representative offices in countries where Lithuania has none.

Lithuania's membership in NATO

On 29 March 2004, Lithuania became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation It is a defensive union based on political and military cooperation of sovereign states. Its members are committed to protecting freedom, guarding shared heritage and civilisation under the principles of democracy, individual freedom, and superiority of law. According to Article 5 of the agreement, all NATO states are obliged to defend one another. Lithuania entered into cooperation with NATO in 1991. Five years later, Lithuania launched its mission to the organisation, and in late 2002, Lithuania and six other states was invited to start negotiations over membership in the Alliance. Today Lithuania sees NATO as the key and most effective collective defence system, one that ensures the security of the state and stands to defer potential aggression, and employs every measure available to strengthen trans-Atlantic relations to contribute to the strengthening of the EU-U.S. relations.

Lithuania as a part of the Northern Europe region

Lithuania is also an active member in the cooperation between Northern Europe countries. Lithuania is a member of the interparliamentary Baltic Assembly, the intergovernmental Baltic Council of Ministers and the Council of the Baltic Sea States.

Lithuania also cooperates with Nordic and other two Baltic countries through Nordic-Baltic Eight cooperation format. The similar format, called NB6 unites Nordic and Baltic countries members of EU. The main goal of NB6 cooperation is to discuss and agree on positions before presenting them in the Council of the European Union and the meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers.

The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) was established in 1992 in Copenhagen as an informal regional political forum, which main aim is to promote integration process and to affiliate close contacts between the countries of the region. The members of CBSS are Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden and European Commission. The observer states are Belarus, France, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, United States, United Kingdom, Ukraine.

The cooperation between the Nordic Council of Ministers and Lithuania is a political cooperation through which experience exchange contributes to realization of joint goals. One of its most important functions is to discover new trends and new possibilities for joint cooperation. The information office aims to represent Nordic concepts and demonstrate Nordic cooperation in Lithuania.

Lithuania, together with other two Baltic countries, is also a member of Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) and cooperates in NORDPLUS programme committed to education.

Baltic Development Forum (BDF) is an independent nonprofit organization which unites large companies, cities, business associations and institutions in the Baltic Sea region. In 2010 the 12th Summit of the BDF was held in Vilnius.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Lithuania maintains diplomatic relations with:

#	Country	Date
1	Denmark	24 August 1991
2	Iceland	26 August 1991
3	Norway	27 August 1991
4	Austria	28 August 1991
5	Germany	28 August 1991
6	Sweden	28 August 1991
7	Finland	29 August 1991
8	France	29 August 1991
9	Italy	30 August 1991
10	Canada	2 September 1991
11	Hungary	2 September 1991
12	Ireland	2 September 1991
13	Turkey	3 September 1991
14	United Kingdom	4 September 1991
15	Belgium	5 September 1991
16	Poland	5 September 1991
17	Switzerland	5 September 1991
18	United States	6 September 1991
19	Czech Republic	9 September 1991
20	Slovakia	9 September 1991
21	Bulgaria	10 September 1991
22	Romania	13 September 1991
23	China	14 September 1991
24	Mauritania	18 September 1991
25	Argentina	25 September 1991
26	North Korea	25 September 1991
–	Holy See	30 September 1991
27	Portugal	4 October 1991
28	Estonia	5 October 1991
29	Latvia	5 October 1991
30	Spain	7 October 1991
31	Russia	9 October 1991
32	Japan	10 October 1991
33	South Korea	14 October 1991
34	Brazil	5 November 1991
35	Mexico	5 November 1991
36	Australia	6 November 1991
37	South Africa	20 November 1991
38	Armenia	21 November 1991
39	Slovenia	22 November 1991
40	Netherlands	3 December 1991
41	Chile	5 December 1991
42	Mongolia	11 December 1991
43	Ukraine	12 December 1991
44	Philippines	15 December 1991
45	Greece	7 January 1992
46	Israel	8 January 1992
47	New Zealand	10 January 1992
48	Egypt	22 January 1992
49	Venezuela	10 February 1992
50	Croatia	18 March 1992
51	Vietnam	18 March 1992
52	Albania	27 April 1992
53	India	27 April 1992
54	Guinea	27 April 1992
55	Senegal	4 May 1992
56	Morocco	7 May 1992
57	Costa Rica	17 May 1992
58	Yemen	22 May 1992
59	Cabo Verde	28 May 1992
60	Kazakhstan	12 June 1992
61	Zimbabwe	18 June 1992
62	Tunisia	30 June 1992
63	Luxembourg	2 July 1992
64	Kyrgyzstan	3 July 1992
65	Moldova	8 July 1992
–	Sovereign Military Order of Malta	9 July 1992
66	Ghana	10 July 1992
67	Turkmenistan	21 July 1992
68	Uzbekistan	5 August 1992
69	Tajikistan	13 August 1992
70	Oman	22 September 1992
71	United Arab Emirates	16 October 1992
72	Ecuador	20 October 1992
73	Bosnia and Herzegovina	6 November 1992
74	Bangladesh	12 November 1992
75	Panama	19 November 1992
76	Qatar	25 November 1992
77	Cyprus	3 December 1992
78	Belarus	30 December 1992
79	Paraguay	3 March 1993
80	Uruguay	8 March 1993
81	Lebanon	18 March 1993
82	Thailand	9 April 1993
83	Burundi	17 May 1993
84	Syria	25 May 1993
85	Seychelles	1 July 1993
86	Indonesia	15 July 1993
87	Colombia	5 August 1993
88	Singapore	10 October 1993
89	Iran	4 November 1993
90	Tanzania	11 November 1993
91	Guatemala	14 December 1993
92	Bolivia	12 January 1994
93	Malta	7 February 1994
94	Gabon	3 March 1994
95	Malaysia	9 March 1994
96	Nicaragua	23 March 1994
97	Mozambique	30 March 1994
98	Kuwait	5 April 1994
99	Algeria	15 April 1994
100	Pakistan	31 May 1994
101	Jordan	5 July 1994
102	Chad	10 August 1994
103	Laos	1 September 1994
104	Georgia	16 September 1994
105	Dominican Republic	2 May 1995
106	Bahrain	3 July 1995
107	North Macedonia	11 July 1995
108	Jamaica	20 October 1995
109	Azerbaijan	20 November 1995
110	Mali	21 November 1995
111	Sri Lanka	20 August 1996
112	Andorra	13 May 1997
113	Peru	9 June 1997
114	Kenya	28 July 1997
115	Ivory Coast	21 October 1997
116	Eritrea	29 August 1998
117	Burkina Faso	23 September 1998
118	Ethiopia	19 October 1998
119	Djibouti	9 June 1999
120	Mauritius	20 September 1999
121	El Salvador	15 October 1999
122	Maldives	2 December 1999
123	Gambia	17 February 2000
124	Lesotho	20 July 2000
125	Serbia	22 December 2000
126	Nigeria	17 January 2001
127	Liechtenstein	27 March 2001
128	Brunei	27 April 2001
129	Zambia	13 July 2001
130	Angola	4 June 2002
131	San Marino	6 March 2003
132	São Tomé and Príncipe	8 July 2003
133	Botswana	17 February 2004
134	Antigua and Barbuda	23 September 2004
135	Belize	30 December 2004
136	Honduras	26 January 2005
137	Nepal	8 February 2005
138	Cambodia	30 March 2005
139	Afghanistan	31 March 2005
140	Bahamas	11 August 2005
141	Benin	2 September 2005
142	Saudi Arabia	31 October 2005
143	Republic of the Congo	5 December 2005
144	Namibia	22 December 2005
145	Iraq	19 January 2006
146	Montenegro	18 July 2006
147	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	5 February 2007
148	Libya	11 June 2008
–	Kosovo	1 September 2008
149	Samoa	19 February 2009
150	Barbados	16 March 2009
151	Saint Lucia	19 March 2009
152	Haiti	4 May 2010
153	Monaco	12 April 2011
154	Nauru	28 June 2011
155	Malawi	18 November 2011
156	Guyana	25 January 2012
157	Uganda	15 March 2012
158	Solomon Islands	20 September 2012
159	Saint Kitts and Nevis	26 September 2012
160	Trinidad and Tobago	26 September 2012
161	Suriname	26 March 2013
162	Rwanda	27 March 2013
163	Palau	25 September 2013
164	Cuba	26 September 2013
165	Comoros	26 September 2013
166	Grenada	26 September 2013
167	East Timor	27 September 2013
168	Dominica	7 October 2013
169	Myanmar	8 October 2013
170	Cameroon	16 October 2013
171	Federated States of Micronesia	4 November 2013
172	Kiribati	15 January 2014
173	Fiji	24 January 2014
174	Sierra Leone	15 April 2014
175	Liberia	23 April 2014
176	Niger	30 May 2014
177	Togo	22 September 2014
178	Vanuatu	28 September 2015
179	Sudan	21 June 2017
180	Madagascar	19 September 2017
181	Somalia	30 September 2017
182	Tuvalu	7 June 2018
183	Central African Republic	25 September 2018
184	Marshall Islands	24 September 2019
185	Eswatini	1 April 2021
186	Guinea-Bissau	21 September 2021
187	Tonga	23 September 2024

Lithuania does not maintain diplomatic relations with Bhutan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Papua New Guinea, South Sudan

Multilateral

Organization	Formal Relations Began	Notes
European Union		See 2004 enlargement of the European Union Lithuania joined the European Union as a full member on 1 May 2004.
NATO		Lithuania joined NATO as a full member on 29 March 2004.

Africa

Country	Formal relations (re)established	Notes
Algeria		See Algeria–Lithuania relations
Gambia	17 February 2000	See Gambia–Lithuania relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 February 2000.
Libya	11 June 2008	See Libya–Lithuania relations
South Africa		See Lithuania–South Africa relations
Tunisia		See Lithuania–Tunisia relations

America

Country	Formal relations (re)established	Notes
Antigua and Barbuda	23 September 2004	Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 23, 2004.
Argentina	1991	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	1991	See Brazil–Lithuania relations 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	2 September 1991	See Canada–Lithuania relations Canada has an embassy office in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Ottawa.
Mexico	5 November 1991	See Lithuania–Mexico relations 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. 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.
United States	28 July 1992	See Lithuania–United States relations Joe Biden and Gitanas Nausėda during 2023 Vilnius Summit Valdas Adamkus and George W. Bush in Vilnius in 2002. 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. 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. Currently, there are 29 bilateral agreements regulating the relationship between Lithuania and the U.S. in various field. 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.

Asia

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Armenia	21 November 1991	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	1995-11-27	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
China	14 September 1991	See China-Lithuania relations 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.
Georgia	16 September 1994	See Georgia–Lithuania relations
India	1992-04-27	See India–Lithuania relations India has an honorary consulate in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in New Delhi and an Honorary Consulate in Mumbai, India.
Iran		See Iran–Lithuania relations Iran is accredited to Lithuania from its embassy in Warsaw, Poland. Lithuania is accredited to Iran from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
Israel	8 January 1992	See Israel–Lithuania relations 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).
Japan	1991 09 06	See Japan–Lithuania relations Relations between Lithuania and Japan started on 22 December 1922, when Lithuania was recognized by Japan de jure. 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.
Kazakhstan	1992-06-12	Kazakhstan has an embassy in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Astana and an honorary consulate in Almaty. Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Kazakhstan (in Lithuanian only) Archived 30 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
Kyrgyzstan	3 July 1992	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 July 1992. Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Malaysia	9 March 1994	See Lithuania–Malaysia relations Lithuania has an honorary consulate in Kuala Lumpur, while Malaysia embassy in Stockholm were also accredited to Lithuania.
South Korea	1991-10-14	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. 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)
Tajikistan	1992	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 August 1992. Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Turkey		See Lithuania–Turkey relations 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.
Vietnam		See Lithuania–Vietnam relations

Europe

Country	Formal relations (re)established	Notes
Austria	28 August 1991	Austria is accredited to Lithuania from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vienna and maintains an honorary consulate in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Vienna. 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
Belarus	30 December 1992	See Belarus–Lithuania relations 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. 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, 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. Belarus has an embassy in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Minsk and a general consulate in Hrodna. Both countries share 680 km of common border.
Bulgaria	10 September 1991	See Bulgaria–Lithuania relations Bulgaria has an embassy in Vilnius. 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.
Croatia	18 March 1992	See Croatia–Lithuania relations
Denmark	26 September 1991	See Denmark–Lithuania relations 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.
Estonia	16 June 1991	See Estonia–Lithuania relations
Finland	28 August 1991	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. Finland has an embassy in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Helsinki. Both countries are members of the European Union and NATO.
France	29 August 1991	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.
Germany	27 August 1991	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.
Greece	7 February 1992	See Greece–Lithuania relations
Holy See	30 September 1991	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. 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. On 11 July 1992, Kazys Lozoraitis became Lithuania's first ambassador to the Holy See. Currently, there are 4 bilateral agreements regulating the relationship between Lithuania and the Holy See in different fields.
Iceland	26 August 1991	See Iceland–Lithuania relations Iceland was the first country which recognised Lithuania's Independence from the Soviet Union on 11 January 1991.
Italy		Italy has an embassy in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Rome. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Kosovo	16 July 2008	See Kosovo–Lithuania relations Lithuania recognized Kosovo on 6 May 2008. Diplomatic relations commenced on 16 July 2008.
Latvia	12 February 1921	See Latvia–Lithuania relations Lithuanian Speaker Viktoras Pranckietis and Latvian Prime Minister Māri Kučinski in 2016. 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. Today, Latvia ranks second on the list of Lithuania's export partners, and fourth in terms of imports. Currently, the relations between Lithuania and Latvia in different fields are regulated by 23 bilateral agreements. and 22 tripartite agreements, which involve Estonia
Malta	7 February 1994	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. Lithuania is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome (Italy) and an honorary consulate in Valletta. 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
Moldova	8 July 1992	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 July 1992. Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Netherlands	27 April 1992	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1992. 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	27 August 1991	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.
Poland	26 August 1991	See Lithuania–Poland relations Aleksander Kwasniewski and Valdas Adamkus 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 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 Baltic region, its troops are continuously participating in NATO military training exercises in Lithuania.
Romania	13 August 1991	See Lithuania–Romania relations 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. Romania has an embassy in Vilnius. 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
Russia	9 October 1991	See Lithuania–Russia relations 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 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.’ On 27 July 1991, Lithuania and Russia signed an agreement On the Grounds of Cross-border Relations. 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. 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. Russia has an embassy in Vilnius, with a consulate in Klaipėda.
Serbia	14 December 2000	Lithuania is represented in Serbia through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary). 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
Slovakia	6 January 1993	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
Spain	27 August 1991	See Lithuania–Spain relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 August 1991. Lithuania has an embassy in Madrid. Spain has an embassy in Vilnius. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Sweden	1991	See Lithuania–Sweden relations Lithuania has an embassy in Stockholm. Sweden has an embassy in Vilnius. Both countries are members of the European Union and NATO.
Ukraine	26 August 1991	See Lithuania–Ukraine relations Gitanas Nausėda meets Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the Russian invasion of Ukraine Lithuania has an embassy in Kyiv and an honorary consulates in Lviv. Ukraine has an embassy in Vilnius and 3 honorary consulates (in Klaipėda, Šalčininkai and Visaginas). 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
United Kingdom	4 September 1991	See Lithuania–United Kingdom relations Gitanas Nausėda greets Rishi Sunak 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. 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. 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. Lithuania has an embassy in London and 5 honorary consulates (in Northern Ireland, Northumberland, Scotland, Wales and the West Midlands). 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

Oceania

Country	Formal relations (re)established	Notes
Australia	1921/1991	See Australia–Lithuania relations Australia is accredited to Lithuania from its embassy in Warsaw, Poland and maintains an honorary consulate in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Canberra.
New Zealand		See Lithuania–New Zealand relations

Issues

Illicit drug trafficking

Lithuania has been a trans-shipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Russia, Southwest Asia, Latin America, and Western Europe to Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.

Anti-terrorism

Lithuania is a signatory to 8 of the 12 International Conventions related to counter- terrorist activities

Human trafficking

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that about 1,000 citizens of Lithuania fall victim to trafficking annually. Most are women between the ages of 21 and 30 who are sold into prostitution

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Lithuania
• List of diplomatic missions of Lithuania
• List of ambassadors to Lithuania

Further reading

• Tomas Janeliūnas. 2020. Foreign Policy Analysis of a Baltic State: Lithuania and 'Grybauskaitė Doctrine'. Archived 8 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine Routledge.