Lietuvos Seimas ir konsulinio tinklo kūrimas 1920–1927 metais
Lithuania’s Seimas Role in the Opening and Formation of Consulate Network in 1920–1927

Summary/Abstract: The article aims to review the establishment of Lithuania's consulate network at the end of 1919 - the beginning of 1920. To achieve this aim, the following sources were taken into consideration: shorthand reports from Lithuania's state archives, namely the documents of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Lithuania (f. 923), Foreign Affairs Ministry fund (f. 383), the Constituent Assembly (Seimas), the first, second and third Seimas as well as legal documents published in the periodical Vyriausybės žinios and articles in the daily newspaper Lietuva. The article reveals how members of the Seimas understood the terms consulate and consul and clarif ies the motives which induced them to agree with or propose the establishment of new consulates. Actually, the article sheds light on the role the Seimas played in the formation of Lithuania's consulate network abroad in 1920-1927. The author arrives at the conclusion that newly established consulates (1919-1920) were entrusted with the task to defend Lithuania's citizens' interests abroad and help them return to their motherland. While establishing new consulates in 1921-1923, members of the Seimas took into consideration not only social and economic motives but also political ones; the understanding of the notions consulate and consul as well as their functions became transparent and clear only in 1923. Expanding Lithuania's consulate network abroad, the Seimas at first (1921) performed the role of an initiator and catalyst and later on (1921 - the end of 1926) acted more as an adviser and critic.

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