Lithuania's Foreign Relations

Lithuania Foreign Relations are primarily based on the country's foreign policies. Lithuania's relations with other countries has been quite cordial and stable. The country is a member of and actively participates in various international organizations. Lithuania foreign relations have been influenced by the country's association with the security institutions of Europe like Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Council of Europe(COE), European Union (EU), North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NAAC), North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO), World Trade Organization(WTO) etc.

Foreign relations of Lithuania are shaped both by the country's politics and economy. Lithuania is greatly dependent on external trade with other countries. It shares friendly trade relations with Western Europe countries. Lithuania also exported a number of items to other Baltic states and former Soviet countries. Thus, it can be clearly delineated that Lithuania shares long term and strong foreign relations with the countries in the Baltic region, in the Western European region and those under the former Soviet Union.



Politically, Lithuania has been supported by countries like Iceland, Denmark, Russia etc. Diplomatic relations of Lithuania with these countries developed over the 1980s and 1990s when the country faced external political threats. Besides, trade relations of Lithuania grew with Belarus and Ukraine. The country also enjoyed friendly relations with Poland. Lithuania's relations with Western Europe and USA are shaped by its economic and security needs.