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On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of international recognition of Lithuania’s Independence and the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, the discussion “Restoration of Lithuanian Statehood and Renewal of Diplomatic Relations in the Global Context” was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania on 9 September. Also an exhibition, including documents on the recognition of the Independence of Lithuania and the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with some countries was opened on the same day.

Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė moderated the discussion. The event was attended by the first Lithuanian Foreign Minister after the re-establishment of Independence Algirdas Saudargas, Lithuania’s first diplomatic representatives abroad and first heads of diplomatic missions of Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Turkey and the United Kingdom in Lithuania.

Participants shared their memories and observations about the re-establishment of the Lithuanian statehood and diplomatic relations.

The first Lithuanian Foreign Minister after the re-establishment of Independence said that from the very start independence was like a test to young Lithuanian diplomacy, which they had to take under most unfavorable conditions: they had to re-create the necessary infrastructure for diplomatic work, for some time there was a thereat of the Soviet intervention, and instead of Embassies only information offices had to be set up in foreign countries.

Head of the first foreign Embassy in a free Lithuania, the Swedish ambassador to Lithuania Lars Magnuson said that from the very first moments of its existence, the independent Lithuania acted as a fully sovereign state, which would stress the necessity of representation of foreign countries at a high level.

“Let us not forget that the Soviet troops were still here in 1991. The Soviet Army left Lithuania in 1993. So you have spent two years in the occupied country and namely you guaranteed our safety,” Lithuanian Foreign Vice-Minister thanked the first foreign ambassadors.

In the margins of the event, an exhibition was also opened, including some authentic documents on the recognition of Lithuania’s Independence and the re-establishment of diplomatic relations. Moreover, the participants of the discussion had an opportunity to see paintings of Lithuanian artists Augustinas Savickas and Raimondas Savickas.

On 10 September, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis is to confer “Lithuania’s Diplomacy Star” – the award of honour of Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs - on persons, who have contributed to the establishment of Lithuania’s position in the international community and to the development of friendly cross-border relations.