Bilateral relations

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Poland

On 18 April 1921, Count Władysław Sobański presented his letters of credence to Her Royal Highness Grand Duchess Charlotte, thereby formalizing the establishment of diplomatic relations and opening a chapter of friendly and strong bilateral cooperation between Luxembourg and Poland. From 1990 onwards, with the emergence of a democratic Poland, the two countries began a process of rapprochement, which was further reinforced in 2004 with Poland’s accession to the European Union, as well as with the opening of resident embassies in 2005 and 2006 respectively. The most recent high-level visits include the Grand Ducal Couple’s state visit to Poland in 2014 and President Kwasniewski’s state visit to Luxembourg in 1998.

In 2021, we marked 100 years of diplomatic relations and, to commemorate the occasion, the Luxembourgish Embassy published a brochure highlighting anecdotes and key moments from our shared history. 

Today, our diplomatic ties are strengthened through active cooperation in the EU, NATO, UN, OECD and other international fora, where we work together to promote democratic values, human rights, multilateralism and a rules-based international order. The Polish community in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, around 5150 Polish citizens, contribute actively to strengthening the links between our societies. Moreover, our nine Honorary consulates in Poland also play an important role in supporting and deepening our bilateral engagement.

Economic cooperation and trade

Our economic cooperation is extensive and continues to expand, supported by the activities of our two bilateral chambers of commerce, Luxembourg-Poland Chamber of Commerce (LPCC, est. 2012) and the Polish-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (PLIG, est. 2019), which play an important role in fostering trade, investment and business partnerships.

Poland is the 8th largest trading partner of Luxembourg within the European Union, with nearly 3% of total exports. Since 2004, the volume of bilateral trade has increased by over 300%, with combined trade in goods and services amounting to approx. EUR 2 billion per year. Luxembourg remains one of the three largest foreign direct investors in Poland, significantly contributing to industrial development and local employment.

Cultural and educational projects

Luxembourg and Poland also maintain active P2P cooperation, promoting cultural and educational projects that foster mutual understanding and knowledge of both countries. Our two countries are the signatories of the Multilateral Treaty on Automatic Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications, together with Belgium, the Netherlands (Benelux) and the Baltic countries. Cultural cooperation is still based on the Agreement on Cultural and Scientific cooperation, signed in Luxembourg in 1990.

Since 2017, Poland has also been a member of the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes programme, which is overseen by the European Cultural Routes Institute headquartered in Luxembourg.

The duty of remembrance also plays a considerable role in relations between our two countries, guiding our shared commitment to acknowledging the past and learning from it.

Lithuania

Lithuania was the first Soviet Republic to declare the restoration of its independence, and the first to be recognised de jure by Luxembourg, on 27 August 1991. The official documents on the re-establishment of diplomatic relations were signed on 2 July 1992, upon the accreditation of the first Envoy of the Republic of Lithuania to Luxembourg. Luxembourg was among the few European states that never recognised the occupation of the Baltic States.

In 2022, we marked 30 years of diplomatic relations and, to commemorate the occasion, the Embassy published a brochure highlighting anecdotes and key moments from our shared history. 

The two countries value each other as reliable and like-minded partners, sharing foreign policy objectives and common interests within the European Union and multilateral fora such as the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the UN, and NATO. Luxembourg’s strong commitment to Lithuania’s security is reflected in the presence of a Luxembourgish contingent serving as part of NATO's Forward Land Forces in Rukla. Bilateral ties are further strengthened through regular high-level visits, including the official visit of the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaitė, to Luxembourg in 2010, the state visit of H.R.H. the Grand Duke of Luxembourg to Lithuania in 2017, as well as several ministerial visits.

Cultural exchanges also constitute an important element of our bilateral relations. In 2022, the cities of Esch-sur-Alzette in Luxembourg and Kaunas in Lithuania were both designated European Capitals of Culture, providing an excellent opportunity to enhance cooperation and to deepen mutual understanding of each other’s cultural heritage. Another notable demonstration of our excellent relations was the performance of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra in the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Concert Hall in Vilnius in 2024.

Since 2007, regional dialogue has also been further strengthened through close cooperation in the Benelux–Baltic format, including several ministerial meetings. Parliamentary collaboration, formalized in 1994 when the Baltic Assembly and the Benelux Interparliamentary Consultative Council signed a common declaration on the parliamentary cooperation, has since expanded and evolved into new forms, priority fields, and formats. On 1 May 2024, for instance, the Treaty on the automatic recognition of higher‑education qualifications entered into force, enabling employers and higher education institutions to assess foreign qualifications more quickly and allowing qualification holders to avoid the additional costs and lengthy procedures traditionally required for academic recognition when seeking work or study opportunities.

Latvia

Friendship between Luxembourg and Latvia dates back to 1922, when the Latvian authorities expressed their desire to enter into closer relations with the Grand Duchy. The Second World War and the decades of Soviet occupation of Latvia interrupted the development of these relations, which could only be fully resumed and expanded after the restoration of Latvia’s independence in 1990. Importantly, Luxembourg was among the few European states that never recognised the soviet occupation of Latvia – neither de facto nor de jure. Since 2000s, relations between the two countries have continued to develop, grounded in friendship, dialogue, and a common vision for Europe. In 2022, we marked 30 years of diplomatic relations and, to commemorate the occasion, the Embassy published a brochure highlighting anecdotes and key moments from our shared history.

Cooperation between Luxembourg and Latvia is particularly strong within the European Union. Both countries work closely together on EU policies and demonstrated excellent coordination within the Presidency trio of the Council of the European Union in 2015. Building on this successful experience, we look forward to the upcoming EU Presidency in 2028- 2029, during which Luxembourg, Latvia and Italy will act as a trio.

High-level political exchanges underline the strength of bilateral ties. Regular visits at the level of ministers reflect the intensity and continuity of political dialogue. The first official visit by a Latvian President to Luxembourg was carried out by President Vaira Vīķe‑Freiberga in 2006. A highlight in recent years was also the state visit of H.R.H. Grand Duke Henri to Latvia in 2023, which symbolised the depth of friendship between the two nations and gave new impetus to cooperation across political, economic, and cultural fields. During the state visit, the first Latvia–Luxembourg Economic Forum took place, offering a valuable opportunity for businesses to establish contacts and explore potential areas of cooperation.

Luxembourg has been a committed supporter of Latvia’s security and defence efforts, by contributing to the construction of barracks and essential infrastructure at the NATO Ādaži military camp as well as investing into the National Defence Academy of Latvia. Luxembourg has also supported environmental remediation efforts, to address soil pollution on Latvian military sites. Luxembourg and Latvia also stand shoulder to shoulder in their support for Ukraine, including as members of the Drone Coalition led by Latvia and the United Kingdom.

Since 2007, regional dialogue has also been further strengthened through close cooperation in the Benelux–Baltic format, including several ministerial meetings. Parliamentary collaboration, formalized in 1994 when the Baltic Assembly and the Benelux Interparliamentary Consultative Council signed a common declaration on the parliamentary cooperation, has since expanded and evolved into new forms, priority fields, and formats. On 1 May 2024, for instance, the Treaty on the automatic recognition of higher‑education qualifications entered into force, enabling employers and higher education institutions to assess foreign qualifications more quickly and allowing qualification holders to avoid the additional costs and lengthy procedures traditionally required for academic recognition when seeking work or study opportunities.