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A confidential meeting of Lithuanian diplomats in the USA took place in Washington on October 25–26 1943, at the time when the foreign ministers of the allied countries – the USA, Great Britain and the USSR – were meeting at the Moscow Conference. The Lithuanian diplomats discussed the general international situation, the challenges facing Lithuania, the uncertain fate of the diplomatic institutions themselves, and preparations to help Lithuanian refugees in Europe and exiles in Siberia. Decisions were made. Traditionally, attention was also paid to cooperation with Lithuanian organizations in the United States, with which it was sought to act in harmony. The representatives of Lithuania in America undertook to cooperate and consult with Lithuanian political organizations in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the first decade of the Republic of Lithuania, trade with the United States of America was not favorable. A temporary trade agreement was signed in 1925 without a consular section. This partially hampered the activities of Lithuanian consuls in the United States, as they were lacking some privileges. Consuls, especially Povilas Žadeikis, constantly raised the idea of the need for a consular agreement. The ambassador, Bronius K. Balutis, spoke about the need to have a permanent trade and consular agreement, but the government of Kaunas felt there was no rush. The idea of a consular agreement was strongly reinforced only after Žadeikis became the ambassador of Lithuania to Washington. The ambassador urged the government of the Republic of Lithuania to conclude and sign the agreement. However, it was not until 1940 that the text of the consular agreement was finally agreed upon, signed in Washington, and ratified by US Congress. Unfortunately, the Soviet occupation of Lithuania in 1940 prevented the ratification of the consular agreement in the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, and exchange of said documents became impossible. The agreement was forgotten. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]