On this day thirty years ago, Lithuania and the US resumed official diplomatic relations that go back to 1922. US Ambassador Robert S. Gilchrist celebrates “one century of this remarkable relationship”.
Thirty-some years ago, as a young diplomat in my first overseas tour, I sat in the cafeteria of our Embassy in London and watched on CNN as Lithuania once again took control of its destiny — once again, and once and for all. I remember the nearly unbelievable site of Lithuanians joining hands, joining together with Latvians and Estonians, to peacefully protest against tyranny.
I remember the rejoicing on March 11, 1990, and the horror of January 13, 1991. I could not have dreamed that 30 years later I would have the opportunity to serve as ambassador here as we launch a year replete with celebrations of our friendship.
Today we mark 30 years since Vice President Dan Quayle touched down in Vilnius and told a cheering crowd in Independence Square, “I greet free Lithuania.” On this day, he and Ambassador Darryl Johnson, along with Prime Minister Gediminas Vagnorius, officially opened the building that still serves as our home, the US Embassy on Akmenų gatvė.
Looking at the photos and videos from that day, we know that along with the cheers and excitement there was still much uncertainty. More than 125,000 former Soviet troops remained in the Baltics. Energy supplies, inflation, growing a new economy and nurturing a fledgling democracy weighed heavily on the government and on Lithuanians.
The resumption of our full diplomatic relations – more on that in a minute – resulted in the blossoming of new cooperation in defence, development, economic relations, and academic and cultural exchanges, all aimed at supporting Lithuania on its westward path.
Vice President Quayle delivered emergency medical aid and signed agreements for additional financial assistance. He was joined on the trip by Peace Corps Director Elaine Chao; it was the launch of 10 years of the Peace Corps presence that helped English-language instruction (and life-long international friendships) flourish across the country.
Later in 1992, US-LT academic and professional exchanges, like the Fulbright programme, began. This was closely followed by the establishment of the Pennsylvania National Guard State Partnership Program with Lithuania in 1993 and the signing of an agreement on bilateral trade and intellectual property protection in 1994.
We celebrate February 7, 1992, for how it changed and strengthened our bilateral relationship, and we at the Embassy celebrate it as the kick-off of this year's even larger commemoration: 100 years of US-Lithuania diplomatic relations, starting from President Warren G. Harding's recognition of Lithuania on July 28, 1922.
I take great pride in the fact that when we say 100 years, we mean it – 100 years of continuous, uninterrupted friendship and shared values, rooted in the declaration by Acting Secretary of State Sumner Welles on July 23, 1940, that we would never recognise the Soviet Union’s deliberate annihilation of your political independence and territorial integrity. One hundred years in which your flags continued to fly at the State Department in Washington.
Your legations continued to operate. Our relations continued to grow, rooted in the shared belief that you were entitled to your freedom and your sovereignty – and that one day, you would achieve them again.
Throughout 2022, we invite Lithuanians to join us in remembering the key events of the past 100 years – across policy, culture, defence, economics, athletics – and thinking ahead to the next 100 years.
In his remarks on February 7, 1992, Vice President Quayle asserted that “the world of tomorrow belongs to those who embrace democratic institutions and free markets”. Those words are still true, and the need to reiterate them and live up to them has not abated.
Today, we again face uncertainty. At the same time, so much more is sure: Lithuania is not only our friend, but our NATO ally. In fact, yet another commemoration this year will be 20 years since President George W. Bush visited Vilnius and declared the words that are now enshrined on the front of the Rotušė: “Anyone who would choose Lithuania as an enemy has also made an enemy of the United States of America.”
Our armed forces train and serve together to deter aggression and defend freedom here and around the world. Today, Lithuania is no longer a fledgling democracy, but a leading supporter of democratic movements in the region and around the globe. We stand in unshakeable solidarity with Lithuania in the face of common threats and challenges to our security and shared values. We are committed to our mutual economic prosperity and to rejecting economic coercion. We are committed to the transatlantic relationship and unity with our European allies.
Vice President Quayle closed his remarks in 1992 with an acknowledgement that you, Lithuania, had changed the world, and with a promise: “I pledge to you the unwavering friendship of the American people in the months and years ahead.” All of us at the US Embassy, both Americans and Lithuanians, work every day to fulfill that pledge. We look forward to celebrating this remarkable year and one century of this remarkable relationship with you.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
