Dr. Juozo Purickio veikla siekiant Lietuvos tarptautinio pripažinimo (1920 06 19-1922 01 01)

ENPriest Ph. D. Juozas Purickis gained his experience for diplomatic work at the Lithuanian Committee in Switzerland, during the First World War. His assignment was to retain contact with Lithuanians living in countries of both fighting blocs, support Lithuanian prisoners of war in Germany, and propagate both, the activities of the Lithuanian Council and the struggle of the Lithuanian people for their independence, abroad. These problems were still the predominate focus of his attention, when Juozas Purickis took office as the second Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania. The major objective of the job was to gain international recognition of Lithuanian independence, de facto and de jure, since not all nations had officially recognized the existence of the State of Lithuania by that time. Conclusion of a peace treaty between Lithuania and Russia, and restitution of Eastern Lithuania territory to Lithuania under conditions of war between Soviet Russia and Poland were other important issues Juozas Purickis had to handle. The Eastern territory had been occupied, and the Russian and Polish armies were marching through Lithuania. This problem became one of international significance. For this reason, the Minister traveled to Paris and London to negotiate terms with politicians, the members of the Government and Parliaments of these countries, and officials of the United Nations. The issue of relations between Lithuania and Poland was discussed at the Spa Conference. Purickis succeeded in gaining an agreement by compromise. It was concluded on July 10, 1920, and stated that Poland was to transfer Vilnius to Lithuania, until such time that the Vilnius case would be decided at the international conference. Purickis managed to diplomatically avoid issue of the plebiscite of Western European politics in Vilnius City and Vilnius lands.And he was able to reject the project proposed by Hymans, calling for the incorporation of Lithuania with Poland. Using such means, the Minister succeeded in a defense of Lithuania as a sovereign and independent country. The orientation of Purickis was in line with the diplomacy practiced by the Entente countries, thus he was concerned with bringing to life the idea of a Baltic Union, and cooperation among the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The concept did not come to realization, due to the attempts of Poland with support by France to be incorporated into the union. In the meantime, England was supporting the cooperation of the three Baltic States. Lithuania refused any union in which Poland was a participant, due to ongoing territorial conflicts with Poland. The accomplishments of Juozas Purickis were numerous. He settled the structure, staff and payments system for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the representatives abroad, and regulated the activities of the consulates. He was responsible for completing the formation and legalization of the diplomatic corps. Lithuania was recognized de facto, and also de jure by many countries. The United Nations accepted Lithuania as a full member, possessing equal rights.