Lithuania’s image in Germany seen only through security concerns, foreign minister says

Lithuania’s visibility in Germany remains insufficient, with the country largely perceived through the lens of security threats rather than its broader identity, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said Wednesday, citing a recent public perception study.

Speaking at a government meeting, Budrys presented findings from a late-2025 survey on how Germans view Lithuania. “The conclusion is that awareness is inadequate, and our image is shaped by how German residents perceive threats—through a security prism, not through knowledge of Lithuania or what we have to offer internally,” he stated.

The minister announced plans to boost Lithuania’s profile in Germany through a dedicated cultural and promotional campaign in 2027, dubbed “Lithuania’s Season in Germany.” The initiative, budgeted at €2.2 million, will span all 16 German federal states and feature a wide range of events beyond cultural exhibitions.

“We will make 2027 a truly strong year, culminating with a visit from a German brigade to Lithuania, while the government will organise an active programme,” Budrys said. “The focus must extend beyond cultural presentation to showcase Lithuania as a whole, so the spectrum of events will be broad.”

The campaign will launch in the second half of 2027, following Lithuania’s presidency of the EU Council in the first half of the year.