Lithuania –
National Day Celebration at the Representation of the State of Hessen in Berlin
H.E. Giedrius Puodžiūnas, Ambassador of Lithuania
Dr Brauer highlighted the close ties between Hessen and Lithuania, referring to the roughly 8,000 Lithuanians living in Hessen as well as to longstanding historical connections and present-day educational institutions, such as the Lithuanian Gymnasium at Schloss Rennhof. In light of the current security situation in Europe, she also emphasised the significance of Germany’s military presence in Lithuania. “Where German troops once brought terror and immeasurable suffering, they now stand as a sign of solidarity with partners and friends in the Baltic region,” she said.
Dr Katharina Brauer, Head of the Representation of the State of Hessen in Berlin
Ambassador Puodžiūnas
Lithuania’s Ambassador, H.E. Giedrius Puodžiūnas, recalled the 36th anniversary of Lithuania’s restoration of independence in 1990 and the sense of renewal that accompanied the vision of a free and united Europe. In light of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, he underlined today’s security challenges and called for European unity, stronger defence capabilities, and sustained support for Ukraine.
Lithuania Year in Germany 2027
He emphasised Germany’s key role, particularly through its engagement on NATO’s eastern flank and the deployment of a Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania. Looking ahead to the EU Council Presidency trio from 2027, he identified security, economic competitiveness and EU enlargement as central priorities. In conclusion, he highlighted the long-standing ties between Lithuania and Hessen and announced a “Lithuania Year in Germany” in 2027 to further deepen bilateral relations.
Christoph Wolfrum, Director-General for European Affairs at the Federal Foreign Office
Bundeswehr Brigade in Lithuania
Finally, Christoph Wolfrum, Director-General for European Affairs at the Federal Foreign Office, addressed the gathering. He conveyed the congratulations of the German Federal Government on the 36th anniversary of Lithuania’s independence. In view of global challenges and Russia’s war against Ukraine, he emphasised the importance of close European cooperation. Germany and Lithuania, he noted, are linked in particular by strong security cooperation, including the deployment of a Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania, as well as close economic, cultural and EU partnerships. The shared objective, he concluded, is a strong and united Europe.
From left to right: H.E. Gordan Bakota, Ambassador of Croatia; H.E. Viktor Yengibaryan, Ambassador of Armenia; H.E. Adriana-Loreta Stănescu, Ambassador of Romania; H.E. Gökhan Turan, Ambassador of Türkiye
H.E. Livia Leu, Ambassador of Switzerland, and H.E. Grigor Porozhanov, Ambassador of Bulgaria.
Lithuanian and German armed forces
From left to right: H.E. Marlene Bonnici, Ambassador of Malta; H.E. Dr Péter Györkös, Ambassador of Hungary, and Dr Katharina Brauer, Head of the Representation of the State of Hessen in Berlin.
From left to right: Giedrius Mickūnas, Deputy Ambassador of Lithuania; Dr Katharina Brauer, Head of the Representation of the State of Hessen in Berlin; H.E. Pascual Ignacio Navarro Ríos, Ambassador of Spain; H.E. Maria Madalena Lobo Carvalho Fischer, Ambassador of Portugal; Jan Tombiński, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Poland; Sven Behrend, Director of the Stasi Museum Berlin; H.E. Giedrius Puodžiūnas, Ambassador of Lithuania.
From left to right: The Ambassadors of Bulgaria, Switzerland and Denmark.
From left to right: The Ambassadors of Greece and Lithuania.