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The Lithuanian Ambassadors’ Club Forum, dedicated to the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Lithuania’s international recognition and re-establishment of diplomatic relations with foreign countries, was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania on 17 May.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius welcomed the forum’s participants and stressed that it was important not only to remember, but also to honour those Lithuanian politicians and diplomats for their contribution to consolidating our country’s independence and resuming diplomatic relations with other countries 25 years ago.

“This period was marked with incredibly important historical events and an abundance of decisions. On the other hand, this happened not so long time ago. Perhaps that is the reason why Lithuania understands better and stands in solidarity with countries, which today still fight for their freedom and final consolidation of their path to Europe, such as Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia,” said Linkevičius.

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister also highlighted Lithuania’s progress and achievements made over the period of 25 years, and urged to protect and cherish its freedom.

“When listening to live witnesses and celebrating our country’s greatest achievements over such a short period of time, again and again we remember that freedom is never given. It is difficult to win the battle for freedom, so we must always defend and cherish it,” said Linkevičius.

Lithuania’s former Ministers of Foreign Affairs Algirdas Saudargas and Antanas Valionis, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdemaras Katkus, signatory Česlovas Okinčicas, signatory and head of the diplomatic mission in Russia Egidijus Bičkauskas, Ambassador Halina Kobeckaitė, the first Ambassador to Estonia Sigitas Kudarauskas, the first Ambassador to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg Pranas Kūris, the former head of the Information Bureau in Brussels Rimantas Morkvėnas, and journalist Rita Miliūtė shared their memories of the events of 1991.

During the opening of the forum, the President of the Lithuanian Ambassadors’ Club Algirdas Kumža said that it aimed to commemorate “the events that had occurred during this dramatic period and Lithuania’s challenging path toward resuming its place in the world community, a difficult test which our diplomats had passed in those days”.

The Lithuanian Ambassadors’ Club was established in November 2014. The club has over 90 members.

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