Lithuania decides to set up consulate general in Munich

VILNIUS – The Lithuanian government decided on Monday to set up a consulate general in the German city of Munich.

The government's resolution calls for establishing the consulate on September 1.

The Foreign Ministry, which put forward the proposal, underlines the need to strengthen relations with Germany, given the country's political and economic influence in the European Union and the international community, its size and its importance in foreign policy.

The ministry notes that the opening of the consulate would not only strengthen Lithuania's economic interests, but would also ensure the provision of consular services to a large Lithuanian community living in Germany's economically strongest southern and western federal states. 

"Currently, they have to turn to Lithuanian diplomatic missions in neighboring countries that are geographically closer to them for the consular services they need," it said. 

Figures from the German Federal Statistical Office show that the number of Lithuanian citizens residing in the country increased two and a half times between 2010 and 2021, from 23,500 to more than 58,000.

While Germany's most important business associations are headquartered in Berlin, the country's considerable economic power is concentrated in the western and southern federal states, so part of Lithuania's economic diplomacy has to be targeted there, according to the ministry.

The consulate is being opened in Bavaria, a strategically important German federal state offering opportunities in the smart economy and traditional industry, it noted. 

The consulate general in Munich is expected to employ seven staff.