U.S.-LITHUANIA RELATIONS
The United States and Lithuania share a history as valued Allies and strong partners. The United States established diplomatic relations with Lithuania in 1922 after it declared independence in 1918. The Soviet Union forcibly annexed Lithuania in 1940 during World War II until 1990, when Lithuania proclaimed its renewed independence. The United States never recognized the forcible incorporation of Lithuania into the Soviet Union, and it views the Republic of Lithuania as the legal continuation of the interwar republic.
After Lithuania regained its independence, the United States worked closely with the country to help it rebuild its democratic institutions and a market economy. The United States welcomed Lithuania’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004, and Lithuania joined the European Union (EU) the same year. As a NATO Ally and EU member, Lithuania has become a strong, effective partner committed to promoting democratic principles at home and abroad. Lithuania has helped the people of other young European nations develop and strengthen civil institutions.
U.S. Assistance to Lithuania
In FY 2021, the United States provided Lithuania with approximately $58 million in security assistance to help Lithuania develop defensive capabilities, increase the NATO interoperability of its forces, and educate its military officers.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Lithuania is a dynamic European economy with growing commercial opportunities for U.S. businesses. Steps Lithuania took during its accession to the EU and NATO, and later to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, helped improve Lithuania’s legal, tax, and customs systems, which has aided economic and commercial sector development. Lithuania ranked 11th (out of 190 countries) in the 2020 World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report.
In 2020, the United States was Lithuania’s 8th largest export partner, with more than USD 1.4 billion in total trade. The United States and Lithuania have signed an agreement on bilateral trade and intellectual property protection and a bilateral investment treaty. Lithuania participates in the Visa Waiver Program, which allows nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for certain business or tourism purposes for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
Lithuania’s Membership in International Organizations
Lithuania and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, NATO, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization.
Bilateral Representation
Principal embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List.
Lithuania maintains an embassy in the United States at 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009, tel: (202) 234-5860.
