IN MY EYES, LITHUANIA IS EUROPE’S “QUIET POWER”

Lithuania, located in the heart of the Baltics, is a country that blends its historical fabric with modern life and attracts attention with its cultural richness. As Business Diplomacy magazine, we had an enjoyable conversation with the Chair person of the DEIK Türkiye-Lithuania Business Council, not only about economic relations but also about the human stories, cultural ties, and business culture of the two countries.

THE BALTIC REGION HAS BECOME ONE OF EUROPE’S MOST DYNAMIC AND STRATEGIC REGIONS IN RECENT YEARS. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE LITHUANIA IN TERMS OF ITS SOCIAL LIFE, URBAN STRUCTURE, AND CULTURAL FABRIC?

Lithuania is a country with a big spirit despite its small size. Although it is located in the center of the Baltic geography, it carries both the order of Northern Europe and the warmth of Eastern Europe at the same time. This dual structure gives the country a unique and balanced character.

Especially in Vilnius, modern life and history are intertwined. Just a few steps away from medieval streets, you’ll find a cityscape dotted with start-up offices, contemporary art galleries, and minimalist cafes. Nature is also an integral part of daily life in Lithuania. Without straying far from the city center, you see a community living in harmony with lakes, forests, and tranquility. This harmony supports the calmness, moderation, and inner balance that lie at the heart of Lithuanian culture.

The social structure is culturally quite conscious and open-minded. The level of education is high; art and music are a very natural part of life. It is common to come across classical music performances, creative workshops, or various art festivals on the streets. Lith uanians are skillfully continuing the process of mod ernization while preserving their deep-rooted past.

In my view, Lithuania is Europe’s “quiet power.” It is a country that progresses quietly but stead ily, with its order, aesthetic urban structure, and cultural elegance making it extremely suitable for both living and working. I believe that with these characteristics, it forms a strong complement to Türkiye’s dynamism.

VILNIUS AND OTHER LITHUANIAN CITIES HAVE RECENTLY COME TO THE FORE WITH THEIR TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION-FOCUSED LIFESTYLES. HOW IS THIS TRANSFORMATION REFLECTED IN THE COUNTRY’S BUSINESS CULTURE?

Lithuania is now known as the digital heart of the Baltic region. Vilnius, in particular, has gone be yond being a historic capital to become one of Europe’s fastest-growing technology hubs. This transformation is creating fundamental changes in the country’s business culture.

Technology and innovation are at the heart of not only economic growth but also the philosophy of life in Lithuania. When the state’s digitalization strat egies, strong support for the start-up ecosystem, and the entrepreneurial spirit of the young popu lation come together, a flexible, quick-thinking, and solution-oriented business culture emerges. Today, Vilnius streets are lined not only with historic build ings but also with signs for artificial intelligence, f inancial technology, and green energy startups.

This innovative atmosphere is directly reflected in working practices. In Lithuanian business, bureaucracy is kept to a minimum, hierarchy is flat, and idea generation is prioritized. People value productivity over status and the power to innovate over titles. This approach serves as an important example for dy namic and entrepreneurial countries such as Türkiye.

Furthermore, the technology-driven lifestyle is giving Lith uania’s business world a global vision. Entrepreneurs see not only the Baltic region but also the European Union and the entire world as target markets. This vision is creating a new synergy in Turkish-Lithuanian business relations, as both countries have innovation, entrepreneurship, and rapid adaptation skills in their DNA.

In conclusion, the digital transformation in Lithuania is not merely a technological advancement, but a societal shift in mindset. This transformation positions the country as a strategic player in the Europe of the future, while also making it a strong partner for Türkiye.

HOW DO LITHUANIANS VIEW TÜRKIYE AND TURKISH PEOPLE? DO YOU OBSERVE ANY SIMILARITIES OR SHARED VALUES BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OF THE TWO COUNTRIES?

The Lithuanian people show an extremely warm, sincere, and respectful attitude toward Turkish people. I clearly felt this during my time in the country. For Lithuanians, Türkiye is not just a tourist destination; it is a country with a strong culture, a deep-rooted history, and an energetic society. The hospitality, helpfulness, and sincerity of the Turkish people are also noticed and appreciated in Lithuania. I believe there is a deep cultural affinity between the two peoples. Both societies place great value on family and build friendships with a sincere bond. We Turks express our feelings openly; Lithuanians may appear calmer, but they carry the same warmth in their hearts. Honesty, trust, and the value of one’s word are paramount in both nations; these shared values form a human bridge that transcends diplomatic relations.

Hard work and determination are also among the similarities. Lithuanians, like Turks, are a compet itive, productive, and goal-oriented society. They value perseverance in the face of adversity and achieving success through their own efforts. In these respects, people from both countries can easily understand each other.

In my opinion, Lithuanians feel both curiosity and respect towards Turkish people. They follow Türkiye’s cultural diversity and its richness in art and gastronomy with interest. We, in turn, take inspiration from Lithuania’s sincerity, discipline, and modern approach. This mutual understanding forms one of the strongest foundations of relations between the two countries.

DID YOU HAVE AN EXPERIENCE, OBSERVATION, OR MOMENT IN LITHUANIA THAT PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED YOU OR MADE YOU SMILE?

It was definitely an unforgettable experience, both emotional and inspiring. The people of Lithuania launched a fundraising campaign to purchase a Bayraktar TB2, which they named “Atmaca,” to support Ukraine. The goal was 5 million euros; how ever, 6 million euros were raised in just three days. This demonstrated the spirit of solidarity and moral sensitivity of Lithuanian society to the entire world.

Following this development, Baykar, impressed by the sincerity of the campaign, decided to donate the TB2 to Lithuania free of charge and suggested that the funds raised be used to help the Ukrainian people. Indeed, the donation was used to support children and war victims in Ukraine. Thus, the cam paign evolved from being merely a story of defense technology into an example of humanity and solidarity.

As Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas stated, the delivery of the Bayraktar TB2 to the country was met with great excitement and ceremony. At that time, Lithuanian so ciety was discussing “what a civilian initiative can achieve.” These friendly sentiments gained even more meaning when Lithuanian fans chanted “Bayraktar! Bayraktar!” in the stands during the Türkiye-Lithuania national football match. That moment was both touching and heartwarming; because it was not just a scene from a match, but the most sincere demonstration of the bond formed between the two peoples from the heart.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND LITHUANIA NOT ONLY IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC RELATIONS BUT ALSO THROUGH ITS CULTURAL TIES? HOW DOES THIS PERSPECTIVE ADD DEPTH TO THE BUSINESS RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES?

Economic relations form the basis of cooperation between countries; however, lasting friendships are built on cultural understanding. For me, getting to know Lithuania is not just about learning trade data, investment opportunities, or market dynamics; it is also about understanding people’s way of life, values, history, and spirit. Because a country’s way of doing business is shaped by its culture.

Lithuania is a country deeply rooted in its traditions yet open to modernization. This balance serves as an important guide for Turkish businesspeople. A business culture based on social simplicity, punctuality, and trust forms the cornerstone of long-term relationships. We Turks also value establishing emotional bonds and doing business with mutual trust and sincerity. When these two approaches come together, the result is not only profitable but also sustainable partnerships.

Cultural awareness strengthens empathy and mutual respect in the business world. When you only talk about numbers, you establish a temporary partnership; however, when you understand the culture, sensitivities, art, and values of the country you are dealing with, that relationship turns into a lasting friendship. This is a form of diplomacy that goes beyond trade— it is “people-based diplomacy.”

As the Chairperson of the DEIK/Türkiye-Lithuania Business Council, I believe that this economic part nership must be deepened through cultural aware ness. Because culture is the quietest but most powerful language of trust in the business world.

AS THE DEIK/TÜRKIYE-LITHUANIA BUSINESS COUNCIL, WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR MOVING BEYOND THE ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES AND STRENGTHENING HUMAN STORIES AND CULTURAL INTERACTION?

People are at the heart of our vision. Because economic cooperation actually begins with trust, understanding, and empathy between people. We strive to build our relations with Lithuania not only on the basis of trade volume, but also on shared values, cultural affinity, and common goals.

As the DEIK/Türkiye-Lithuania Business Council, our goal is to strengthen the bridges between the two countries not only through economics but also through culture, education, art, and social interaction. In this context, our priorities include creating platforms where young entrepreneurs can come together, organizing joint cultural events, and supporting projects that will enable the two societies to get to know each other better.

We believe that a country’s true potential lies not only in its export figures or investment data, but in its capacity to build friendships. Therefore, our vision is to act with a “diplomacy beyond trade” approach: to strengthen cultural ties through the business world and build a lasting bridge of good will between the people of the two countries.

The fact that Lithuania and Türkiye share similar entrepreneurial spirits and human values provides us with a strong foundation for turning this vision into reality. We are working to grow this synergy and make the friendship between the two countries more visible and sustainable.