Latvija un Viduslietuvas problēma 1920.-1922. gadā

ENProceeding from a wide scope of sources and literature, the author examines Latvian policy on the issue of Mid-Lithuania in 1920-1922. The author comes to the conclusion that it was exactly the autumn of 1920, as well as the subsequent events, that clearly revealed the strategy of the Southern direction of Latvian foreign policy, trying to sustain a political balance between Poland and Lithuania. Latvia kept this attitude till the beginning of World War II in 1939. Besides, Latvian attitude to the Vilnius issue was revealed, this issue being the major cause of the conflict between Lithuania and Poland. This attitude was uncertain, seemingly neutral, but in fact - extremely cautious and at some stages even rather hypocritical, half-openly showing affinity to both countries. In 1920 Poland was favoured slightly more, with the condition that the independence of Lithuania would not be destroyed. The calculation that weakened Lithuania would be a more beneficial negotiation partner, when dealing with the unresolved issues concerning the border between both states, was not without significance either. In subsequent years, Latvia remained formally neutral as concerns the conflict of the neighbouring countries and the Vilnius issue, but in fact recognized Vilnius' belonging to Poland. There was Latvian consulate in Vilnius and since the beginning of the 1930s various delegations and sports teams from Latvia visited Vilnius that was considered a success by Polish diplomacy. Latvija un Viduslietuvas problema 1920.-1922. gada.