Latvia–Lithuania relations

Latvia–Lithuania relations are bilateral international relations between Latvia and Lithuania. Latvia has an embassy in Vilnius, and Lithuania has an embassy in Riga.

Latvian–Lithuanian relations
Map indicating locations of Latvia and Lithuania

Latvia
Lithuania
Diplomatic mission
Latvian Embassy, VilniusLithuanian Embassy, Riga
Envoy
Ambassador Einars Semanis Ambassador Antanas Vinkus
Memorial stone to the past building of the Embassy of Latvia to Lithuania in Kaunas

Both states share a long common history: both Latvians and Lithuanians belong to the family of Baltic peoples, speakers of the Baltic languages. The territory of Latvia and Lithuania were together part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth between 1561 and 1772 (with a brief period of Swedish rule in what is now Latvia in between). Between the late 18th century and 1918, the territory of both Lithuania and Latvia was part of the Russian Empire. Lithuania and Latvia re-established their diplomatic relations on October 5, 1991, after independence from the Soviet Union.

The two states share 588 kilometres (365 mi) of common border. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

1920s border dispute

In the early 1920s, Latvia and Lithuania had a peaceful dispute about the towns of Palanga and Šventoji which were initially part of Latvia following the country's independence but were of strategic interest to Lithuania. The dispute was peacefully resolved in 1921 with the help of an international commission, and the territories were transferred to Lithuania. As a compensation, Latvia received the Latvian-majority territories of what now are Ukri Parish, Brunava Parish, Aknīste Parish. Latvia's claims on the town of Mažeikiai were rejected by the international commission. The Lithuanians had to drop their claims on Ilūkste Municipality and Daugavpils.[1]

Resident diplomatic missions
Embassy of Lithuania in Riga
  • Latvia has an embassy in Vilnius.
  • Lithuania has an embassy in Riga.

See also

References
  1. Latvijas iegūtās un zaudētās teritorijas - neogeo.lv, November 10, 2011


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