Lithuanian-Swedish relations

1. DEVELOPMENT OF
LITHUANIAN – SWEDISH
RELATIONSHIP

2. The First Contacts
●
In the Middle Ages relationship between the
Baltic tribes and Swedish tribes was diverse.
●
In 853 AD Swedish Vikings attacked Apuole
castle but didn’t occupy it. Isolated Vikings
participated in the Crusade against the Baltic
pagans.
●
During that time bilateral trade was active.
●
It is thought, that for the first time the Vikings
arrived in Lithuania in 1323. They were officially
invited by Lithuanians.

3. Viking expansion

4. Most Vikings reached Curonian, Samogitian,
Skalvian and Prussian tribes.
Vikings used to have wars with them.

5. Lithuanian - Swedish Union
●
In 1562, Kotryna Jogailaitė and Jonas the 3rd
Vasa married in Vilnius.
●
This marriage allowed Sweden to join the
activities of Polonian Lithuanian
Commonwealth (PLC) to protect their mutual
interests in the Eastern Europe and intrude into
PLC internal problems.
●
This marriage united several important kinships
in the Western Europe: Jogailaičiai –
Gediminaičiai and Vasas.

6. Europe during the 15th century

7. The Rule of Vasas in PLC in
the 16th-17th centuries
●
Vasas tried to get power in Sweden, so PLC
was involved to fight against Russia, Prussia
and other countries.
●
Wars were no success neither for PLC nor
Sweden. At that time Russia became powerful
on the East Baltic coast.
●
Wars led to unrests in PLC, so the Grand Duchy
of Lithuania made Kėdainiai Union with Sweden
in 1655 to cancel union with Poland.

8. Vasa’s blazon

9. PLC in Vasa’s rule period

10. Lithuanian – Swedish relationship
before World War II
●
During World War I, while Lithuania was trying to
declare its independence, the branch of fund to support
the War Victims in Sweden was active. It coordinated
the activities of Lithuanian immigrants.
●
In 1921 Sweden acknowledged Lithuania as country de
jure. The most active Lithuanian diplomat in Šweden
was Ignas Šeinius.
●
At Vytautas Magnus University in 1932 the Swedish
language course was started; in 1931 in Stockholm the
Baltic Institute was opened, in 1936 the Lithuanian
language course at Stockholm university was tought.

11. Europe after World War I

12. Lithuanian – Swedish relations since
World War II till the end of 20th century
●
Sweden did not acknowledge Lithuania’s occupation in
1940.
●
In 1943 in Sweden the Baltic committee was created,
with goal to require that the USSR re-established the
independence of the Baltic states.
●
In 1989 in Gotland Island the 36th European -
Lithuanian study week was called. During it Lithuanian
emigrants approved of the re-establishment of
Lithuania’s independence.
●
In 1989 the Baltic countries were visited by the Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Sten Andersson .
●
Since 1990 Lithuanian and Swedish collaboration was
very active.

13. Lithuanian – Swedish relationship at
the meeting point of 20th-21st centuries
●
In 1991 Lithuanian Information Office in Stockholm was
opened to refresh relationship between the countries.
●
After Sweden was admitted to the EU, it sought the
Baltic countries participation in the EU.
●
Year 2000 was declared the Baltic Countries Year by
Sweden.
●
Year 2011 was again declared the Baltic Countries Year
by Sweden.
●
Since 2004 Lithuanian – Swedish relationship is based
on mutual goal to find the solution to the problem of
energetical security.

14. On July 6, 2009 the King of Sweden Karl the 16th
Gustav and Queen Silvia participated in the events
to commemorate Lithuania’s name.

15. Swedish officials visits to Lithuania
●
On March 15, 2011 Sweden’s Prime
Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt met President
Dalia Grybauskaite and Prime Minister
Andrius Kubilius.

16. On July 16, 2009 President Dalia
Grybauskaite visited Stockholm.

17. On August 15, 2011 Prime Minister of
Lithuania Andrius Kubilius visited Sweden.