Lithuania
Republic of Lithuania
Population
2.9M
GDP
$74.5B
Capital
Vilnius
Government
Unitary semi-presidential re...
At a Glance
Human Development
0.9
HDI (0-1)
Democracy
7.5
EIU (0-10)
Press Freedom
—
RSF score
Corruption
—
TI CPI (0-100)
Innovation
—
GII score
Happiness
—
WHR (0-10)
Lithuania is the largest and most populous of the three Baltic states. It shares a border with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and with Belarus, placing it at a critical junction in European security. Lithuania's historical legacy as a major medieval European power (the Grand Duchy of Lithuania once stretched from the Baltic to the Black Sea) informs its contemporary diplomatic ambitions.
Lithuania joined NATO and the EU in 2004 and has been one of the most assertive Baltic states on security policy. It hosts a NATO Enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup led by Germany and has built a rapid-reaction force capability.
Lithuania has also distinguished itself through its willingness to challenge China diplomatically. In 2021, it allowed Taiwan to open a representative office using the name 'Taiwan' rather than 'Taipei,' triggering Chinese economic coercion and making Lithuania a test case for European solidarity against economic statecraft.
Want deeper analysis on Lithuania?
Ask Atlas anything about LithuaniaMUN Delegate Guide
As Lithuania, be bold and principled. Lithuania has shown that small states can take on great powers -- your Taiwan office decision and your stance on Belarus demonstrate courage in foreign policy.
Coordinate with Estonia and Latvia (Baltic trio), Poland (a key bilateral partner sharing Kaliningrad border concerns), and the wider NATO and EU blocs. Lithuania often aligns with the US and UK on security matters.
Lead on democracy support (Belarus, Eastern Partnership), resistance to economic coercion (your China-Taiwan experience is a model), energy independence, and NATO collective defense. Reference the Suwalki Gap -- the narrow corridor between Kaliningrad and Belarus that is NATO's most vulnerable point -- to underscore the strategic stakes. Be direct about threats from Russia and authoritarian states.
Foreign Policy
Lithuania's foreign policy prioritizes NATO collective defense, EU solidarity, and supporting democracy in its Eastern neighborhood. It has been a leading voice on Belarusian democracy (particularly after the disputed 2020 election and subsequent crackdown), Ukrainian sovereignty, and resistance to Chinese economic coercion.
Key priorities include strengthening NATO's eastern flank, energy independence (Lithuania built an LNG terminal to reduce dependence on Russian gas), digital transformation, and the Three Seas Initiative. Lithuania is also active in the Community of Democracies and promotes democratic governance in the Eastern Partnership.