Lithuania has officially established diplomatic relations with the Tonga, according to a statement from the Baltic nation’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. The formal exchange of communiqués took place following a bilateral meeting between Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis and Tonga’s Minister for MEIDECC FekitamoeloaʻUtoikamanu in New York.
Lithuania now has diplomatic relations with 190 countries. Landsbergis expressed gratitude for Tonga’s support of UN resolutions condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, acknowledging the challenge of maintaining a principled stance. “We are grateful for your strong position… in a world where pragmatic interests often overshadow principles,” he said.
The two ministers also discussed opportunities for cooperation on climate change and renewable energy, with Landsbergis extending an invitation for Tonga to participate in the Future of Democracy Forum in Vilnius this November.
Until now, Tonga was one of the six remaining United Nations member states with which Lithuania had not established formal diplomatic ties. This new development opens the door for increased collaboration between the two nations on global and regional issues.
Source: LRT News
