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On 10 October, a book entitled “Between Politics and Diplomacy. Holy See and the Republic of Lithuania“was presented in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. In his book Algimantas Kasparavičius analyzes political and diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Vatican in the XXth  century.

In his speech, Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekūnas noted, that the book reveals the historical value of relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Lithuania in the international context during one of the most beautiful and at the same time - one of the most difficult – periods for Lithuania during the XX century, namely, during the period between the two World Wars.

The Minister reminded that while restoring the Independence of Lithuania in 1990, the representation of Lithuania to the Holy See was one of three embassies that were still functioning. The other two were in Washington and London.

“In pre-war Lithuania the influence of the Holy See contributed to the development of statehood which was vital for our nation and the state. This is the element, that we have to cherish in the unsettled and complicated life of today“,- the head of the Lithuania’s diplomacy said.

P.Vaitiekūnas noted, that the author had shown in the book, how the interaction of Lithuania and the Holy See during the pre-war period had positively influenced and consolidated Lithuania’s society,  its political self-consciousness, developed and strengthened system of Christian values, that also became a basis for the development of internal components of national security.

The reader is introduced to the history of recognition of Lithuania de jure after the First World War, creation of Lithuanian church province and the concordat between Lithuania and Vatican.

The Apostolic nuncio in Lithuania Peter Stephan Zurbriggen and the ambassador of Italy to Lithuania Giulio Prigioni took part in the event.

The book was presented by the author, A.Kasparavičius, and the reviewer, the Dean of Faculty of History of Vilnius University professor Zenonas Butkus. Former ambassador of Lithuania to the Holly See Algirdas Saudargas spoke about the relations between Lithuania and Vatican.