Political dialogue between Latvia and Lithuania is regular and active on a multitude of levels. Both states are linked by excellent co-operation, mutual interests in the Baltic Sea Region and close partnership within the EU and NATO. Successful practical co-operation has been established among Latvian and Lithuanian parliaments, sector ministries, municipalities, and NGOs. 

The historic legacy of Latvia and Lithuania, and the close personal contacts of their people provide an environment conducive to intensive co-operation at non-governmental level, permitting the implementation of cross-border projects and promoting co-operation in culture, education, tourism, and other areas.

Chronology of diplomatic relations

Diplomatic relations between Latvia and Lithuania were restored on 5 October 1991.

Ambassadors of the Republic of Latvia to Lithuania:

• Alberts Sarkanis, 1993-1996
• Atis Sjanits, 1996-2000
• Maira Mora,  2000-2004
• Armands Gutmanis, 2004-2005
• Hardijs Baumanis, since 2006

Ambassadors of the Republic of Lithuania to Latvia:

• Algirdas Zvirenas, 1993-1995
• Rimantas Karazija, 1995-1999
• Petras Vaitiekunas, 1999-2004
• Osvaldas Ciuksys, 2004-2006
• Antanas Vinkus, since 2006.

Parliamentary co-operation

Close co-operation has evolved between the parliaments of Latvia and Lithuania, as evidenced by the regular mutual visits at all levels both bilaterally and multilaterally, such as the official visit to Lithuania by the Speaker of the Saeima, Gundars Daudze, on 11-13 January 2008, and the visit of the Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas, Ceslovas Jursenas, to Latvia on 25-26 April 2008. A Latvian-Lithuanian parliamentary co-operation group headed by Sarmite Kikuste has been operating for the duration of the 9^th Saeima. A Lithuanian-Latvian parliamentary co-operation group operates in the Lithuanian Seimas, headed by Audronis Azubalis.

On 31 July 2008, Justinas Karosas, the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas, visited Latvia.

Economy 

Lithuania is one of the most significant partners in Latvia's foreign trade. The volume of trade between Latvia and Lithuania is growing, reaching EUR 2.19 billion in 2007. Both the direct accrued investment of Lithuania in Latvia and the direct investment of Latvia in Lithuania are increasing annually. Successful bilateral co-operation has been developed in tourism; 37% of the population of Latvia and 36% of the population of Lithuania visited their neighbouring state in 2007.        

Trade

(According to the data provided by the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia) 

2007

Exports:  

1. Lithuania – EUR 804,302,208 or 14.92 % of total Latvian exports
2. Estonia – EUR 739,000,313 or 13.71 %
3. Russia – EUR 549,458,209 or 10.19 %
4. Germany – EUR 468,183,740 or 8.68 %
5. Sweden – EUR 416,916,795 or 7.73 %

Imports:

1. Germany – EUR 1,521,440,212 or 14.86 % of total Latvian imports
2. Lithuania – EUR 1,390,612,826 or 13.58 %
3. Russia – EUR 929,812,795 or 9.08 %
4. Estonia – EUR 807,740,837 or 7.89 %
5. Poland – EUR 689,377,950 or 6.73%

Main export goods to Lithuania by type of goods in 2007

Main import goods from Lithuania by type of goods in 2007

Trade dynamics between Latvia and Lithuania from 2003 to 2007, EUR

*Approximate calculations, using the average EUR/USD exchange rate for the relevant year

 Investments

(According to data of Lursoft and Bank of Latvia)

As of the end of 2007, the balance of direct Lithuanian investment in Latvia was LVL 140.9 million. The major investment field was wholesale and retail sale. The balance of Latvian direct investment in Lithuania in 2007 was LVL 72.7 million (2^nd place).  

On 22 July 2008, Lithuanian investment in the basic capital of Latvian companies amounted to LVL 115.64 million (9^th place).

As of the same date, 1256 Latvian-Lithuanian joint ventures were listed with the Register of Enterprises of Latvia (ranking 3^rd).

The largest Lithuanian investors in Latvia, in millions LVL

(Lursoft statistics on data of the Register of Enterprises of Latvia as of 22 July 2008):

1. UAB Bite Gsm (mobile communications, telecommunications) - LVL 58.39 million
2. UAB Palink (retail sale, 3^rd largest Baltic retail sale network IKI - retail outlets Leader Price) - LVL 14.00 million  
3. MG Baltic Investments - LVL 4.24 million

4. AB Hanner (real estate) - LVL 3.98 million
5. UAB Akropolis (retail sale) - LVL 3.60 million
6. UAB Maxima Grupe (retail sale) - LVL 3.45 million
7. AB Panevezio Keliai (road construction) - LVL 2.06 million

Since June 2005, the Latvian Chamber of Commerce in Lithuania has been operating in Vilnius developing business relations between the companies of both states. Similarly, the Lithuania Business Association is working actively in Latvia.

Defence

In the defence sector, Latvia and Lithuania co-operate mainly in common Baltic military projects. Air force co-operation is closely linked to the joint air surveillance network, BALTNET; co-operation of naval forces continues under the common Baltic naval squadron BALTRON; and the Baltic Defence College BALTDEFCOL is operating successfully.

Internal affairs

For the purpose of encouraging economic, tourism, and cultural contacts, up until now the simplification of the border crossing procedure has been one of the most important aspects of co-operation in the area of internal affairs. From the moment of joining the European Union, customs control was essentially changed and is now conducted at random only. However, border control on the Latvian-Lithuanian border was abolished on 21 December 2007, when Latvia and Lithuania joined the Schengen Agreement.

Different internal affairs services of Latvia (State Police, State Border Guard, Security Police, State Fire Fighting and Rescue Service, and Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs) successfully work together with their counterparts in Lithuania. Both states actively work together within the Baltic Sea Region Border Control Co-operation (BSRBSS). The co-operation takes place both bilaterally and in the context of the Baltic Sea Region and the Baltic states.

Cross-border co-operation

In the context of the EU structural funds, Latvia collaborates with Lithuania within the framework of the Latvia-Lithuania Cross-border Co-operation Programme under Objective Three: European Territorial Co-operation, which is aimed at supporting sustainable social and economic development in border regions, increasing competitiveness, encouraging entrepreneurship, and creating an attractive environment for living and tourism. On 14 April 2008, the first call for project applications was announced in the programme.       

In addition, Latvia, Lithuania, and also Belarus collaborate as part of the European Territorial Co-operation within the framework of Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus Cross-border Co-operation Programme of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument. Its goal is to improve social cohesion in the border regions of Latvia, Lithuania, and Belarus and to safeguard the local cultural identity, as well as the social and economic welfare of the population. The first call for project applications is scheduled for the beginning of 2009.   

Education and culture 

Latvian-Lithuanian co-operation in the area of education is based on trilateral agreements between the Baltic states, as well as on educational programmes and projects of the Baltic and Nordic states, the Baltic Sea states, the Council of Europe and the EU.

In line with an agreement between the ministries of education on academic exchange, an active exchange of students, academic staff, and researchers is taking place. Latvian higher education institutions have signed co-operation agreements with the Vilnius University, the Vytautas Magnus University, the Mykolas Romeris University, the Kaunas University of Medicine, and the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre etc.  

In order to promote co-operation between the two states, to strengthen the identity of the Balts and to popularise the Latvian and Lithuanian languages and culture, a Latvian-Lithuanian forum was established in 2005. On 22 September 2005 in Kaunas, the Presidents of Latvia and Lithuania opened the 1st congress of the Latvian-Lithuanian Forum. On 22 September 2006, the 2nd congress of the forum took place in Riga. The 3^rd congress, organised by the Lithuanian side will take place in Aglona from 19 to 20 September 2008. The Latvian-Lithuanian Forum provides an opportunity for representatives from the sciences, art, culture, the media, and other community groups from both states to meet and debate the challenges related to the determination and preserving of Baltic identity and consciousness, and to join in a dialogue on opportunities for co-operation in the areas of culture and economy. 

Co-operation in the area of culture is based both on the tripartite co-operation programmes of the ministries of culture of the three Baltic states  in addition to traditionally close individual contacts. Close co-operation has developed between the New Theatre Institute of Latvia (NTIL) and the Centre of Theatre and Cinema Information and Education of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Centre of Contemporary Dance, and the Oskaras Korsunov Theatre. NTIL has implemented several Latvian-Lithuanian co-operation projects, including Nekrosius' and Korsunov's performances, training seminars, other projects, and performances of Lithuanian theatres within the festival Homo Novus. The Latvian National Opera is actively co-operating with the Lithuanian National Opera; Latvian and Lithuanian artists participate on a regular basis in international festivals organised by the two states: the International Jazz Festival, the Festival of Harpsichord Music, the Festival of Organ Music, the Festival of Church Music, and others.  There is also close co-operation between the art museums and national libraries of both states.

Recent important visits by state officials

In addition to bilateral visits, Latvian and Lithuanian officials also meet regularly within co-operation projects of the Baltic states and Nordic states as well as during various international forums.

Legislative Framework

Database of information on bilateral agreements: Lithuania

Internet links on the Republic of Lithuania 

President of the Republic of Lithuania: http://www.president.lt

Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania (Seimas): http://www.lrs.lt

Government of the Republic of Lithuania: http://www.lrv.lt

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania: http://www.urm.lt

Latvian Chamber of Commerce in Lithuania: http://www.lccl.lt

Latvia - Lithuania Forum: http://www.lt-lv-forum.org