Between tending and avoiding to cooperate: the dynamics of Lithuanian political relations with Finland, 1919-1922

ENThe first investigations into Lithuanian-Finnish relations encourage us to make an assumption about the sluggish process of the establishment of diplomatic relations and its rather passive early stage of development in 1919-1922. To question this hypothesis in an argument-based manner, the author of this article seeks to find out what factors influenced bilateral cooperation until the summer of 1922 when the first Parliament of independent Finland and the Government led by Juho Vennola finished their term of office, and the process of Lithuania’s international diplomatic recognition was coming to an end. To achieve the aim, the author seeks to answer several questions: Did the political initiative of establishing bilateral relations rise on the level of politicians, members of the Government or diplomats? In what ways and through what contacts did Lithuanian diplomats and politicians seek to strengthen bilateral relations? Which personalities should first be called the proponents of Lithuanian-Finnish cooperation? Was the partnership with Finland as a Baltic state or as a Scandinavian state more acceptable to Lithuania? How was Lithuania introduced to the Finnish society in 1919-1922? Did Lithuania’s recognition in 1921, the appointment of the first envoys and parliamentary relations become an important driving force for bilateral relations?. [Extract, p. 50]

• Aukusti Robert Niemi ir politika / Stasys Skrodenis. Žmogus ir žodis. 2000, 2, p. 41-49.
• Baltijos valstybių vienybės idėja ir praktika 1918-1940 metais: dokumentų rinkinys / parengė Zenonas Butkus. Vilnius : Lietuvos istorijos instituto leidykla, 2008. 882 p., [8] iliustr. lap.
• Don Kichotas prieš Prometėją : tarpukario lietuvių-lenkų iracionalioji diplomatija / Algimantas Kasparavičius. Darbai ir dienos. 2002, t. 30, p. 49-72.
• Išsaugoti Nepriklausomybę: Lietuvos Seimo veikla užsienio politikoje 1920-1927 metais / Audronė Veilentienė. Vilnius : Lietuvos nacionalinis muziejus, 2020. 398 p.
• Skandinavija Lietuvos diplomatijoje 1918-1940 metais / Sandra Grigaravičiūtė. Vilnius : Saulabrolis, 2002. 291 p.