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, 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.

Since 2014, Lithuania participates in the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a multi-national military partnership.

Diplomatic relations List of countries which Lithuania maintains diplomatic relations with: #CountryDate1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526–272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950515253545556575859606162636465–66676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148–149150151152153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171172173174175176177178179180181182183184185186187188

Multilateral Organization Formal Relations BeganNotesSee 2004 enlargement of the European Union Lithuania joined the European Union as a full member on 1 May 2004.Lithuania joined NATO as a full member on 29 March 2004. Africa Country Formal relations (re)establishedNotes See Algeria–Lithuania relations 17 February 2000 See Gambia–Lithuania relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 February 2000. 11 June 2008 See Libya–Lithuania relations See Lithuania–South Africa relations See Lithuania–Tunisia relations

America Country Formal relations (re)establishedNotes 23 September 2004 Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 23, 2004. 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. 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. 2 September 1991 See Canada–Lithuania relations

Canada has an embassy office in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Ottawa. 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. 9 June 1997

Lithuania maintains honorary consulates in Lima. Peru is accredited to Lithuania from its embassy in Helsinki, Finland. 28 July 1992 See Lithuania–United States relations

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 BeganNotes21 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) 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 Foreign Minister of Lithuania to pay official visit to Azerbaijan2 November 1992Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 November 1992See China-Lithuania relations

The Republic of China established diplomatic relations in 1921.

China has a Chargé d'affaires office in Vilnius. Lithuania had 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.16 September 1994See Georgia–Lithuania relations1992-04-27See India–Lithuania relations India has an honorary consulate in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in New Delhi and an Honorary Consulate in Mumbai, India. 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.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).1991 09 06See 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. 1992-06-12 Kazakhstan has an embassy in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Astana and an honorary consulate in Almaty.