Why I am – celebrating the 25th anniversary of our Embassy

In 1991 the UK and Lithuania restored diplomatic relations. The UK recognised the re-establishment of the Independent State of Lithuania de jure on 27 August 1991, although we had never formally recognised the Soviet occupation.

Things then moved quickly. Michael Peart, who was the UK’s first Ambassador to Lithuania after the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, came to Vilnius in September 1991. He set up the first Embassy (in room 602 of the Draugystė Hotel, now the Crowne Plaza) and soon found a permanent property to move the Embassy to (the building we occupy still today, at Antakanio gatve 2). He recruited our first members of staff, who are still with us. And the business of re-establishing the close relationship between the UK and Lithuania was quickly under way.

In 25 years the relationship has gone from strength to strength. It covers government and policy issues, trade and investment, defence and security, culture and education. Contact between British and Lithuanian people is high, particularly with so many Lithuanians studying or working in the UK and playing a part in so many aspects of British life (you can, for example, hear the Lithuanian conductor of one of the UK’s foremost orchestras at the British Proms festival for another week or so here).

Those 25 years have also seen some notable moments. The UK was a strong supporter of Lithuania’s place in Europe, with many projects to help Lithuania join the EU and NATO in 2004. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Vilnius in October 2006, a State Visit which confirmed the UK’s commitment to Lithuania and is still remembered warmly today. 2013 also saw a flurry of UK government visits to Vilnius, including the Prime Minnister, as Lithuania held the Presidency of the EU. The UK and Lithuania worked closely together as members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during Lithuania’s membership in 2014 and 2015 (we are a permanent member of the UNSC); this included working closely on Ukraine.

When I walk into my office every morning I am reminded of this history. Outside my office are pictures of every British Ambassador to Lithuania (including Thomas Hildebrand Preston who was British Minister Plenipotentiary in Kaunas from 1927-40). I feel incredibly proud to be continuing this history, and working to support a relationship which remains vital to the UK.

This history reminds me of the importance of making sure that this close relationship endures in the future. Like all relationships it will always be evolving. But the UK will remain an outward facing country, one to whom Lithuania’s security and prosperity matters. Our relationship is as important as ever. In fact this year we are expanding the size of our Embassy teams working on political and on defense issues. We’re planning for the arrival of more British troops in the Baltics. The British Council is expanding their work to bring people and cultures together, holding their first summer school in Lithuania this year. And business links continue to grow, as evidenced by Barclays’ exciting launch of their Rise start up platform in July.

So it is a pleasure to see how the relationship between the UK and Lithuania has developed since my predecessor first put up a Union Jack in Vilnius 25 years ago. I am sure that whoever is the British Ambassador here in a further 25 years will have many more things to celebrate as the relationship continues.