Turkey-Lithuania relations between 1923 and 1940 according to Turkish documents

ENThe beginning of Turkey-Lithuania relations dates back to the Ottoman Empire period. These relations, which resumed with the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, continued uninterrupted until the invasion of the Republic of Lithuania by the Soviet Union in 1940. This study deals with the Turkey-Lithuania relations dating back to World War II. The development of relations between the parties and the factors affecting this development are examined. Turkish resources including the archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in particular were used in this study. The relations between the two states were mostly within the framework of trade agreements. The parties also signed a treaty of friendship within this period. Other than the arrest of Antanas Paškevičius-Poška, a Lithuanian investigator who was suspected of being a spy, no other incidents causing any tension took place. The distance between the two countries and the fact that Lithuania is a small market are the main reasons limiting the relations. As a result of this, the volume of trade between the two countries were low for many years. No diplomatic representative offices could be opened in either country, and relevant contacts were provided through accreditation. In addition, no mutual consulates could be established during the specified period. On the other hand, the invasion of Lithuania and its subsequent annexation were not recognized by Turkey. Keywords: Turkey, Lithuania, Baltic, economic relations, Antonas Paškevičius-Poška. [From the publication]