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Fifteen years ago on 28 February, 1991 the Kingdom of Denmark officially confirmed the continuity of the restored independent Republic of Lithuania, recognized Lithuanian Government  and decided to re-establish diplomatic relations with Lithuania.

This step of the Government of  Denmark was extremely important for Lithuania trying to consolidate its independence in the international community.

Joint Protocol “On Cooperation Between the Kingdom of Denmark and the Republic of Lithuania” was signed on 28 February, 1991 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Uffe Ellemann Jensen and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Algirdas Saudargas.

The Protocol says that the good and friendly relations between the countries before Second World War were suspended for fifty years, when Lithuania had been forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1940. It is stressed in the Protocol that “Denmark recognized Lithuania in 1921 and had never acknowledged the legitimacy of this incorporation.”

It is stated in the Protocol, that on 11 March, 1991 the Supreme Council of Lithuania restored absolute independence of Lithuania. The decision was confirmed by plebiscite of 9 February, 1991 and the democratically elected Supreme Council of Lithuania formed a legitimate Government of Lithuania. The states confirmed that Denmark and Lithuania would restore diplomatic relations as soon as it would be possible.

At that time Denmark provided active support for Lithuania’s striving to join international organizations, to integrate into the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Denmark had continuously and strongly supported Lithuania’s aspirations to become a member of NATO and the European Union, provided assistance for implementation of democratic reforms and strengthening of national security in Lithuania.

Diplomatic relations between Denmark and Lithuania we officially re-established on 24 August, 1991. On 2 October, 1991 the first Ambassador of Denmark Birger Dan Nielsen presented credentials to the Chairman of Lithuanian Supreme Council - Reconstituent Seimas Vytautas Landsbergis.

On 1 October, 1991 Dalius Čekuolis was appointed chargé d‘affairs ad interim and from 25 March, 1992 - Ambassador  Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Denmark.