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More information about Lithuania is available on theLithuania Pageand from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-LITHUANIA RELATIONS
The U.S. and Lithuania share a history as valued Allies and strong partners. The United States established diplomatic relations with Lithuania in 1922, following its declaration of independence during World War I. Lithuania was forcibly annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940 during World War II. In 1990, Lithuania proclaimed its renewed independence and international recognition followed. The United States never recognized the forcible incorporation of Lithuania into the Soviet Union, and it views the present Government 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 U.S. welcomed Lithuania’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) in 2004. 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 2019, the United States provided Lithuania with approximately $88 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. In 2018, the United States was Lithuania’s 5th largest export partner, with more than USD 1.9 billion in total trade. Steps undertaken during the country’s 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 14th (out of 190 countries) in the 2019 World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report. 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 anembassyin the United States at 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009, tel: (202) 234-5860.
More information about Lithuania is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
CIA World Factbook Lithuania Page
U.S. Embassy
History of U.S. Relations With Lithuania
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel Information
