About Us
The mission of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry is to ensure sovereignty and security of the state by diplomatic means, long-term sustainable development of the country and well-being of its citizens, to protect legitimate interests of Lithuanian citizens abroad, to contribute to export promotion and attract investment.
The President of the Republic of Lithuania makes decisions on key foreign policy issues and conducts foreign policy together with the Government. Great importance is attached to agreements between major political parties on foreign, security and defence policy strategic guidelines in implementing strategic foreign policy goals. The programme of the Government of Lithuania and the Foreign Ministry’s strategic plan govern the implementation of strategic objectives of the Ministry’s activities.
Organizational chart of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania
- Strategic Management and Analysis Department
- Internal Audit Division
- Personnel Management and Secondment Department
- European Union Department
- Grouping of the Presidency of the Council of the EU
- Communication and Cultural Diplomacy Department
- State And Diplomatic Protocol Department
- Global Lithuania Department
- Directorate for European Bilateral and Regional Cooperation
- Eastern Neighbourhood Policy Department
- Transatlantic Cooperation and Security Policy Department
- United Nations, International Organizations and Human Rights Department
- Development Cooperation Department
- International Law Directorate
- Directorate for Performance Management and Legal Affairs
- External Economic Relations and Economic Security Policy Department
- Consular Department
- Information Technology Department
- Finance Department
- Directorate for Sanctions
- Administrative Department
- Directorate for Global Affairs
- Directorate for Indo-Pacific
Diplomatic network
Over the 25 years of independence, Lithuania has established diplomatic relations with 181 countries and 179 of them are United Nations member states.
There are 58 diplomatic representations of Lithuania in the world: 39 embassies, 8 consulates general, 3 consulates, an office of the embassy of Lithuania and 7 missions to national organizations.
There are diplomatic missions of 35 foreign states in Lithuania, offices of embassies of 2 countries, 1 consulate and 11 representations of international organisations.
There are representations of the following international organisations in our country: European Commission, European Parliament, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank, Nordic Investment Bank, International Finance Corporation Vilnius Office, WHO Country Office in Lithuania, Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania, NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence and International Organization for Migration (IOM) Vilnius Office. The EU agency supporting the EU to promote gender equality - European Institute for Gender Equality - is based in Vilnius.
Decorations of the MFA
- Medal „For merits to Lithuanian diplomacy”, the silver, golden, bronze crosses, since 2010
- Medal of Honour of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “Lithuanian Diplomacy Star” gold, silver and bronze crosses, since 2010
- Medal “For Merits to the Diplomatic Service of the Republic of Lithuania” established in 2003
- “Lithuanian Millennium Star” existed from 2007 to 2009
Key law acts regulating the activities of the Ministry and diplomatic service
- The Law on the Diplomatic Service, (Official Gazette, 1999, No. 7-140. As last amended on 23 April 2013); This Law establishes the legal foundations of the formation and functioning of the Lithuanian diplomatic service, legal situation and social guarantees of diplomats and their family members.
- Law Concerning Implementation of Law on the Diplomatic Service, (Official Gazette, 1999, No. 7-141. As last amended on 11 April 2000);
- Consular Statute (Official Gazette, 1995, No. 43-1047. As last amended on 29 December 2012);
- The Act of the Government “On the Enactment of the Regulations on Special Attachés”, No. 1407, 12 December 1997.