Lithuania
Lithuania
LITHUANIA - LANGUAGE PHRASES
Since 1991, the official language of Lithuania is the Baltic language of Lithuanian, a language closely related to Latvian. More than 80% of the country’s 3.8m population speaks Lithuanian as their first language. Minority languages include Belarusian (1.5%), Polish (7.7%), Russian (8%). Others, most notably Ukrainian and Yiddish make up a further 2.1%.
LITHUANIA - COMMUNICATION
- Lithuanians prefer face-to-face meetings, as they need to build relationships of mutual understanding.
- They prefer to turn business relationships into friendships.
- Accept offers of hospitality and reciprocate, as this is the sign of a true friend.
- Once a friendship has developed, Lithuanians are willing to discuss business.
- It is important to make your initial contact with a high-ranking person who is in a position to make a decision.
- In many ways this is still a hierarchical culture, so showing respect and deference to people of auth
LITHUANIA - CULTURE
In 2005, 79% of Lithuanians belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has been the majority denomination since the introduction of Christianity to Lithuania in the end of fourteenth century.
LITHUANIA - HISTORY
The first mention of Lithuania is found in a medieval German manuscript, the Quedlinburg Chronicle, on 14 February
LITHUANIA - ECONOMY
In 2003, prior to joining the European Union, Lithuania had the highest economic growth rate amongst all candidate and member countries, reaching 8.8% in the third quarter. In 2004 — 7.3%; 2005 — 7.6%; 2006 — 7.4%; 2007 Q3 — 10.8% growth in GDP reflects the impressive economic development. Most of the trade Lithuania conducts is within the European Union.
