About Us

The mission of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry is to ensure sovereignty and security of the state by diplomatic means, long-term sustainable development of the country and well-being of its citizens, to protect legitimate interests of Lithuanian citizens abroad, to contribute to export promotion and attract investment.

The President of the Republic of Lithuania makes decisions on key foreign policy issues and conducts foreign policy together with the Government. Great importance is attached to agreements between major political parties on foreign, security and defence policy strategic guidelines in implementing strategic foreign policy goals. The programme of the Government of Lithuania and the Foreign Ministry’s strategic plan govern the implementation of strategic objectives of the Ministry’s activities.

Strategic objectives

Priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 2012-2016 include the following:

• economic diplomacy to achieve competitiveness of Lithuania’s economy
• implementation of strategic energy projects;
• active participation in the European Union,
• strengthening cooperation with neighbouring countries, expansion of ties with Eastern Partnership countries;
• ensure availability and quality of consular services, strengthen links between Lithuanians living abroad and their homeland;
• strengthening of regional and international security, participation in shaping of NATO’s policy and strengthening transatlantic ties.

Organizational chart of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania

• Administrative Department,
• Finance Department,
• Economic Security Policy Department,
• European Union Department,
• European Countries Department,
• Information and Public Relations Department,
• Information Technology Department,
• External Economic Relations Department,
• United Nations, International Organizations and Human Rights Department,
• Consular Department,
• Latin America, Africa, Asia and Pacific Department,
• Personnel Department,
• Policy Planning Department,
• Eastern Neighbourhood Policy Department,
• Law And International Treaties Department,
• Transatlantic Cooperation and Security Policy Department,
• Department of Lithuanians Living Abroad,
• Development Cooperation Department,
• State and Diplomatic Protocol Department.

Diplomatic network

Over the 25 years of independence, Lithuania has established diplomatic relations with 181 countries and 179 of them are United Nations member states.

There are 58 diplomatic representations of Lithuania in the world: 39 embassies, 8 consulates general, 3 consulates, an office of the embassy of Lithuania and 7 missions to national organizations.

There are diplomatic missions of 35 foreign states in Lithuania, offices of embassies of 2 countries, 1 consulate and 11 representations of international organisations.

There are representations of the following international organisations in our country: European Commission, European Parliament, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank, Nordic Investment Bank, International Finance Corporation Vilnius Office, WHO Country Office in Lithuania, Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania, NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence and International Organization for Migration (IOM) Vilnius Office. The EU agency supporting the EU to promote gender equality - European Institute for Gender Equality - is based in Vilnius.

Decorations of the MFA

• Medal „For merits to Lithuanian diplomacy”, the silver, golden, bronze crosses, since 2010
• Medal of Honour of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “Lithuanian Diplomacy Star” gold, silver and bronze crosses, since 2010
• Medal “For Merits to the Diplomatic Service of the Republic of Lithuania” established in 2003  
• “Lithuanian Millennium Star” existed from 2007 to 2009 

Key law acts regulating the activities of the Ministry and diplomatic service

• The Law on the Diplomatic Service, (Official Gazette, 1999, No. 7-140. As last amended on 23 April 2013); This Law establishes the legal foundations of the formation and functioning of the Lithuanian diplomatic service, legal situation and social guarantees of diplomats and their family members.
• Law Concerning Implementation of Law on the Diplomatic Service, (Official Gazette, 1999, No. 7-141. As last amended on 11 April 2000);
• Consular Statute (Official Gazette, 1995, No. 43-1047. As last amended on 29 December 2012);
• The Act of the Government “On the Enactment of the Regulations on Special Attachés”, No. 1407, 12 December 1997.