Finland–Lithuania relations

Finland–Lithuania relations are foreign relations between the Republic of Finland and the Republic of Lithuania. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, Council of the Baltic Sea States, Nordic-Baltic Eight, European Union, NATO, Eurozone and Joint Expeditionary Force.

Finnish–Lithuanian relations
Map indicating locations of Finland and Lithuania

Finland

Lithuania
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda met with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Helsinki, 2 September 2025

History

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Finnish President Tarja Halonen talk with the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė in 2011

Finland recognised Lithuania's independence de facto on November 14, 1919, and de jure on October 14, 1921.

Finland recognised Lithuania's independence on 28 August 1991, and the two countries started diplomatic relations the very same day. Finland is a key partner and neighbour to Lithuania, with the countries pursuing active cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, regional, information security, to name a few. Currently, there are 11 bilateral agreements regulating the relationship between Lithuania and Finland different fields.[1] In July 2022, the Lithuania fully approved Finland's application for NATO membership.[2]

High-level visits

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High-level visits from Finland to Lithuania

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Finnish President Sauli Niinistö:

High-level visits from Lithuania to Finland

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Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda:

Resident diplomatic missions

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  • Finland has an embassy in Vilnius and an honorary consulate in Klaipėda.
  • Lithuania has an embassy in Helsinki.

List of ambassadors

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The following ambassadors have represented Finland in Vilnius since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations with restored Lithuania on 29 August 1991:[7]

  • Taisto Tolvanen 1992–1996
  • Rauno Viemerö 1996–2000
  • Taina Kiekko 2000–2004
  • Timo Lahelma 2004–2008
  • Marja-Liisa Kiljunen 2008–2012
  • Harri Mäki-Reinikka 2013–2016
  • Christer Michelsson 2016–2020
  • Arja Makkonen 2020-2024
  • Jaakko Lehtovirta since 2024

See also

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References

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  1. "Suomija | Dvišalės sutartys | Tarptautinės sutartys | Užsienio politika | Lietuvos Respublikos užsienio reikalų ministerija". Archived from the original on 29 December 2014.
  2. "Lithuania ratifies Swedish, Finnish NATO accession protocols". LRT. 20 July 2022. Archived from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  3. "President Niinistö to make state visit to Lithuania". Office of the President of the Republic of Finland. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  4. "President Niinistö attends Lithuanian Centennial Celebration". Office of the President of the Republic of Finland. 18 February 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  5. "President Niinistö in Vilnius: In many respects, a historic NATO Summit". Office of the President of the Republic of Finland. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  6. "Suomijos ir Lietuvos rungtynėse apsilankęs Nausėda: daug tikėjimo mūsų vyrais" (in Lithuanian). 1 September 2025.
  7. "Bilateral relations: Lithuania". Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. Retrieved 2026-04-03.