Lithuania celebrated State Restoration Day with a reception at the Hilton Ankara Hotel, drawing Deputy Foreign Minister Kemal Bozay, ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, senior officials, business representatives, and guests.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Marius Janukonis began by thanking the Republic of Türkiye for never recognising Lithuania’s occupation during the country’s darkest years. He said 2026 also marks the 35th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, and he pointed to a partnership that has grown through political dialogue, economic ties, cultural cooperation, and people-to-people contact, with substantial room to expand further.
JANUKONIS HIGHLIGHTS DEEPENING COOPERATION
Ambassador Janukonis said Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s recent visit to Lithuania reinforced both sides’ determination to broaden cooperation. He listed concrete areas of exchange, including mutual investments in high technology sectors and ongoing projects between municipalities in Lithuania and Türkiye. He added that hundreds of Turkish students study at Lithuanian universities, and he noted that around 10 percent of Lithuania’s population chooses Türkiye as a travel destination each year. Janukonis said these links offer a strong platform for the years ahead.
HISTORICAL TIES AND THE TATAR COMMUNITY
Turning to history, Janukonis said friendship between Lithuania and Türkiye rests on deep roots. He noted that Turkish communities arriving from Crimea settled in Lithuania around 600 years ago, and he expressed gratitude to the Tatar and Karaim communities for their contributions to the development of the modern Lithuanian state.
Janukonis also said Lithuanian Tatars built the first mosque in the United States more than a century ago in New York. He added that scholars examined Lithuanian Tatar dialects during efforts to shape the modern Turkish language.
NATO, UKRAINE, AND EUROPEAN SECURITY
Calling Lithuania and Türkiye reliable NATO allies, Janukonis said security no longer allows isolated thinking in an increasingly unpredictable world, whether in the Baltic, the Black Sea, or the Middle East. He said support for Ukraine remains a priority for Lithuania, and he stressed that Lithuania will never accept the occupation of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea. He described military aggression and violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity as a grave breach of the fundamental principles of international law and said the international community cannot accept them.
Janukonis also said Europe cannot imagine its future without Türkiye, and he noted that Lithuania will continue to support the European Union’s enlargement process.
BOZAY SAYS RELATIONS ADVANCE WITH MOMENTUM
Deputy Foreign Minister Kemal Bozay said bilateral relations continue to advance stably and dynamically. He said the two countries maintain close cooperation across a wide spectrum, both bilaterally and on international platforms, especially within NATO. Referring to Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s visit to Lithuania last month, Bozay said the trip once again demonstrated the depth of dialogue and the strength of the partnership. He said Türkiye values Lithuania’s principled support for its European Union accession process.
ECONOMY AND TECHNOLOGY TAKE CENTRE STAGE
Bozay said trade and investment hold significant untapped potential. He pointed to opportunities in transport and connectivity, construction, energy, innovation and advanced technologies, and the defence industry. He also said the growing dynamism of the private sectors, particularly among start-ups and technology companies, creates a solid basis not only to deepen bilateral cooperation but also to expand partnerships in third markets.
Bozay also underlined that people-to-people contact remains one of the relationship’s main pillars. He said Türkiye continues to attract Lithuanian tourists, and he added that Lithuania has become an increasingly appealing destination for Turkish Erasmus Plus students.
ART ON DISPLAY AT THE RECEPTION
The reception also featured works by Lithuanian artist Inga Inga Simonyte Deniz in the foyer area.
