New Honorary Consulate of Lithuania Opens in Zlín to Strengthen Regional Ties with Czechia
On February 12, a new Honorary Consulate of Lithuania was officially opened in Zlín, a city in the Moravian region of the Czech Republic. The consulate will be led by Honorary Consul Inesa Ašmantaitė. This marks the second active Honorary Consulate of Lithuania in the Czech Republic and the only foreign honorary consulate in the Zlín region.
“Strong bilateral relations require continuous cooperation not only between capitals but also between regions. This is why the role of honorary consulates is so important in building bridges between our communities and nations,” said Lithuania’s Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Rolandas Kačinskas, during the opening event. He emphasized that the bilateral bridges built between Lithuania and the Czech Republic will ensure that both countries remain united in both prosperous and challenging times.
The new Honorary Consul was welcomed by Radim Holiš, Governor of the Zlín Region and Chairman of the Czech Republic’s Regional Associations. He expressed his satisfaction with the strong Czech-Lithuanian bilateral relations and the new opportunity to further develop them in Zlín. Successful examples of cooperation in Zlín and the prospects of future projects were discussed during a meeting between the Ambassador and the Governor at the regional government office, attended by David Vychytil, a regional council member responsible for financial and economic development.
“The activities of our Honorary Consulate will be based on three main principles – ensuring smooth cooperation between communities, providing new opportunities for business and investment projects, and promoting cultural exchanges,” said Honorary Consul Inesa Ašmantaitė. Representatives from key regional government and cultural institutions, as well as local business community members, gathered in large numbers to celebrate the beginning of her new mission.
Inesa Ašmantaitė brings professional expertise from her previous work in international companies in Lithuania, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic (PwC, Naspers, Danske Bank, Novartis), where she built a strong foundation in business, culture, tourism, and diplomacy. Living in the Zlín region, she has established a network within the local community, where she will now represent Lithuania’s interests and is ready to assist Lithuanian citizens living in or visiting the Czech Republic.
Zlín is home to approximately 77,000 residents and is the 12th largest city in the Czech Republic, located in the country’s most distant region from Prague. The city’s development has been significantly influenced by the visionary entrepreneur and innovator Tomáš Baťa during the interwar period. Today, it is known for the Tomas Baťa University and the development of creative industries associated with it. The Baťa Museum and his memorial house are located in the city, alongside the university and a library bearing his name. Zlín is also home to a renowned zoo and a recently opened, modern Philharmonic Hall.
