Lithuania–New Zealand relations

Lithuania–New Zealand relations

Lithuania
New Zealand
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Lithuania, Canberra[1]Embassy of New Zealand, Warsaw[2]

Lithuanian–New Zealand relations are bilateral international relations between Republic of Lithuania and New Zealand.

Diplomatic relations were restored 10 January 1992. Interwar diplomatic relations were established after 1928.[3]

The New Zealand Lithuanian community, established in 1951, is currently active. The number of Lithuanians in New Zealand has remained static for the past sixty years – although it decreased to 111 in 2001, in 2013 it increased again to 258, and in 2019 it decreased slightly to 219.[4] Meanwhile, in 1956, 207 Lithuanians lived in New Zealand.[5] At the beginning of 2022, 15 New Zealand citizens lived in Lithuania.[4]

Both countries are members of the United Nations, OECD, and other international organizations. Lithuania is represented by an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary residing in Tokyo (until 2021, Gediminas Varvuolis), and New Zealand is represented by an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary residing in Warsaw. Auckland operates an honorary consulate of Lithuania.

History of relations

Early contacts

The first Lithuanians arrived in New Zealand in 1888.[5] The number of emigrants from the Lithuanian community was small until the end of World War II.

Relations during the occupation of Lithuania

After the occupation of Lithuania by the USSR, New Zealand was one of only two states in Oceania (with Australia) that maintained relations with Lithuanian diplomatic missions and pursued a silent policy of non-recognition. However, in 1974, New Zealand recognized the Soviet incorporation de jure.[6]

The number of Lithuanians in New Zealand increased significantly after World War II, as several hundred Lithuanians were allowed to move to New Zealand from German refugee camps. In 1949–1950, about 400 Lithuanians emigrated to New Zealand, most of whom later left for the United States of America, Canada, and Australia. Among the more famous New Zealand Lithuanians was the artist Rudolf Gopas.

In 1949, Lithuanians founded the Lithuanian Society, and in March 1951 it was renamed the New Zealand Lithuanian Community. The Society published the newspaper "New Zealand Lithuanian" in 1950–1958. A Lithuanian Sunday school was established in 1952 and operated until 1960. In 1956, the New Zealand Lithuanian community sent a telegram to the Prime Minister of Great Britain Anthony Eden with a request not to forget the problem of occupied Lithuania during a meeting with the leadership of the USSR, and in 1961, it delivered a letter of protest to the Brazilian government, which closed the Lithuanian embassy there.[5]

Relations between Lithuanian expatriates and New Zealand changed significantly in 1974, when the New Zealand government recognized the annexation of the Baltic states, including Lithuania, as legal. The New Zealand Lithuanian community sent a letter of protest to the country's Prime Minister, other members of the government, and opposition leaders, informing the New Zealand public about the repressions taking place in Lithuania. Australia followed suit that same year, but New Zealand, unlike Australia, never reversed its decision.

During the Lithuanian revival (1988–1990), Lithuanians in New Zealand published articles in the country's daily newspapers about the Lithuanian nation's aspiration to restore an independent state.[5]

Relations after 1991

On 28 August 1991, New Zealand became the second Oceanian state, after Australia, to recognize Lithuania's independence.

On September 14–15, 2004, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Hon Phil Goff visited Lithuania, where he met with Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus.[7] This was the first visit of a high-ranking New Zealand official to Lithuania.[8]

In March 2015, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius left for his first official visit to New Zealand, where he met with the Speaker of the Parliament David Carter, Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Opposition Foreign Affairs Speaker David Shearer.[9] On October 1st, 2015, an agreement was signed between the countries in New York on a working holiday program for Lithuanian and New Zealand citizens aged 18–30. [10]

In June 2016, New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Muurėjus Makkiulis visited Lithuania and met with Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius.[11]

In 2017, New Zealand Minister of Agriculture Nathan Guy visited Vilnius, where he met with Lithuanian Minister of Agriculture Bronius Markauskas and with social partners and chairmen of the Seimas Rural and European Affairs Committees.[12]

Educational, scientific, sports and technological exchanges and cultural cooperation

Works by New Zealand authors Barbara Yving, Vičios Tamė Ihimaera, Katrina Mansfild, Antionos Makkartenos, and Brigid Lauri have been translated into Lithuanian.[13]

Lithuanian and New Zealand men's football teams have played one friendly match against each other in Lithuania until December 2021, which the Lithuanian team won.

On 18 July 2021, the first Lithuanian film festival was held in Auckland at the initiative of the local Lithuanian community.[14]

Economic relations

According to 2020 data, the trade turnover between Lithuania and New Zealand reached 21.2 million euros, and New Zealand was Lithuania's 76th largest trading partner.[15]

The trade balance is dominated by exports from Lithuania to New Zealand.

  • Exports amount to 13.5 million euros; New Zealand is the 72nd largest export partner.
  • Imports amount to 7.7 million euros; New Zealand is the 63rd largest import partner. The most imported products are unscalded and uncombed wool (79%) and chemical (soda or sulphate) wood pulp (14%).

In 2021, New Zealand's foreign direct investment in Lithuania was negative. Meanwhile, Lithuania had no direct investment in New Zealand in 2020.[15]

Citizen Exchanges

Year 2016[16] 2020[17] 2021[18] 2022[4]
Number of New Zealand citizens in Lithuania 7 6 9 15
Year 2013[16] 2019[4]
Number of Lithuanian citizens in New Zealand 129 219

Relations with territories in free association with New Zealand

Lithuania has established trade relations with two territories in free association with New Zealand, Cook Islands and Niue.

Cook Islands

2018 data, trade turnover between Lithuania and the Cook Islands reached 2.4 thousand euros.[19]

The trade balance is dominated by imports from the Cook Islands to Lithuania.

  • Exports amount to 300 euros.
  • Imports amount to 2.1 thousand euros.

Niue

2018 data, trade turnover between Lithuania and Niue reached 36.9 thousand euros, and there were no goods exported to Niue.[19]

List of envoys and ambassadors

Envoys to Lithuania

The list is not exhaustive.

  • 1992–1994 – Gerald McGhie, first New Zealand ambassador to Lithuania (residing in Russia)
  • 1994–1995 – Richard Edward Woods, second ambassador to Lithuania
  • 2000–? John Butler
  • 2006–2008 – Philip Griffiths, sixth ambassador to Lithuania (residing in Warsaw)[20]
  • 2008–2011 m. – Penelope Jane Ridings, seventh ambassador to Lithuania (residing in Warsaw)[21][22]
  • 2011–2014 (?) – Peter Howard Riding (residing in Berlin)
  • 2015–2021  – Mary Patricia Thurston (residing in Warsaw)
  • from 2022 – Alan Rose Hudson (residing in Warsaw)

Envoys to New Zealand

  • 2008–2011  – Dainius Kamaitis (residing in Tokyo)
  • 2011–2012  – Albertas Algirdas Dambrauskas, Minister Plenipotentiary (residing in Tokyo)
  • 2012–2017  – Egidijus Meilūnas (residing in Tokyo)
  • 2018–2021  – Gediminas Varvuolis (residing in Tokyo)

Literature

  • Kraujelis, Ramojus (2008). Lithuania in Western Politics: Western States' Positions on the Occupation and Annexation of Lithuania in 1940-1953 (in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Vilnius University Press. p. 312. ISBN 978-9955-33-371-5.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Consulate of Lithuania in Auckland, New Zealand".
  2. ^ "Europe".
  3. ^ Kraujelis, R., p. 282.
  4. ^ a b c d Migration Yearbook 2021 Archived 2022-07-05 at the Wayback Machine, Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior
  5. ^ a b c d New Zealand Lithuanians – Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia (vle.lt)
  6. ^ Kraujelis, R., 219 p.
  7. ^ "Activities of the President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkaus in 2004–2005" (PDF). Lietuvos Respublikos. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-02-08. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  8. ^ First visits of the first representatives of foreign states and the highest persons and highest officials to the restored independent state of Lithuania (Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania)
  9. ^ L. Linkevičius is on his first official visit to Australia and New Zealand (15min.lt)
  10. ^ New Zealand | Bilateral agreements | International agreements | Foreign policy | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania (urm.lt) Archived 2022-02-08 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Young people from Lithuania will be able to use the working holiday program in New Zealand next year (15min.lt)
  12. ^ Lithuanian and New Zealand Ministers of Agriculture have the same taste in clothing details (Agro. Agribusiness News)
  13. ^ New Zealand literature – Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia (vle.lt)
  14. ^ The first Lithuanian film festival was held in New Zealand (LRT Lituanica)
  15. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference URM_prekyba was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ a b Migration Yearbook 2015 Archived 2022-07-05 at the Wayback Machine, Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior
  17. ^ Migration Yearbook 2019 Archived 2022-09-20 at the Wayback Machine, Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior
  18. ^ Migration Yearbook 2020 Archived 2021-11-21 at the Wayback Machine, Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior
  19. ^ a b "Exports, imports of goods by country and territory". Lietuvos statistika. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  20. ^ The President received the credentials of the New Zealand ambassador (Presidential Office of the Republic of Lithuania) Archived 2022-02-08 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ Ambassadors of Malaysia, South Korea and New Zealand began work in Lithuania (TV3)
  22. ^ "Dr Penelope Ridings". peneloperidings.com. 2018-01-28. Retrieved 2022-02-08.
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