The staff of the U.S. Embassy in Kaunas, Lithunia, in 1930
The U.S.-Lithuanian relationship dates back to the middle of the 20th century. America was one of the first to recognize the independence of
Lithuania in 1920’s. The U.S. non-recognition policy of Soviet occupation, support in regaining independence in 1990 and the U.S. crucial role in advocating Lithuania’s membership in the Euro-Atlantic institutions stand as the finest examples of the “special” Lithuania-U.S. relations.
The United States established diplomatic relations with
Lithuania on July 28, 1922. The Soviet invasion forced the closure of the Legation to Lithuania on September 5, 1940, but Lithuanian representation in the
United States continued uninterrupted. The United States never recognized the forcible incorporation of
Lithuania into the U.S.S.R. and views the present Government of Lithuania as a legal continuation of the interwar republic. Lithuania has enjoyed most-favored-nation treatment with the
United States since December 1991. Since 1992, the United States has committed more than $100 million in
Lithuania to economic and political transformation and to humanitarian needs. The United States and
Lithuania signed an agreement on bilateral trade and intellectual property protection in 1994 and a bilateral investment treaty in 1997. In 1998, the United States signed a "Charter of Partnership" with
Lithuania and the other Baltic countries establishing bilateral working groups focusing on improving regional security, defense, and economic issues.
The U.S. Embassy in Lithuania is located at Akmenu 6, 03106
Vilnius. Telephone: (370-5) 2665500. The Embassy website is http://vilnius.usembassy.gov/
