On 22-23 May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius is attending the Meeting of the OECD Council at the Ministerial Level, which focuses on topical issues of global policy and strategic goals of the organization. This year, special attention is given to the potential and challenges of digital transition.

"Emerging technologies like 5g, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockhain, and Big Data cross state boundaries. In addition, global space is constantly changing. Thus, we need to find multilateral solutions making better use of the opportunities promised by emerging technologies," said L. Linkevičius during a discussion with other ministers from OECD countries.

On 21 May, a traditional meeting of the Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, and German Foreign Ministers took place in Hamburg. The meeting discussed issues of security, the future of the European Union and its relations with eastern neighbors, as well as regional cooperation. In the meeting, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius presented security issues and thanked Germany for its military contribution to NATO's efforts to ensure Baltic security. L. Linkevičius also stressed the need to increase NATO's deterrence and defense capabilities, and to strengthen the EU-NATO security cooperation.

“Now that it is in a very dangerous threat environment, Lithuania should continue what it is doing which is increase defence spending from 2 to 2.5 in overtime. That is appropriate for a frontline state which unfortunate Lithuania and other Baltic states are,” former US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Walt Slocombe says. He is visiting Lithuania this week in a delegation of defence and security experts and shapers led by the Atlantic Council, an influential analytical centre of the U.S., in order to get first hand impressions about the Baltic security situation.

On 23 May, Lithuania opened its Honorary Consulate in Sapporo after a year-long pause. Masahiro Fujii was appointed as the Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Hokkaido, Japan‘s largest prefecture. The Ambassador Gediminas Varvuolis presented him a consular patent.

On May 15, SYLOS, one of the most powerful laser systems in the world produced by Lithuanians, started working at the Laser Research Center in Hungary, Verslo žinios reports.

“Although lasers represent a relatively small share in the overall Lithuanian export market, they make Lithuania famous around the world and push global science to improvement. The need for laser technology worldwide is constantly increasing, so the development of products that have no alternatives and participation in such large international projects give more opportunities and further strengthen the position of Lithuania in laser science and industry,” says Gintaras Vilda, Vice Minister of Economy and Innovation, who participated in the ceremony.

Around 130 mln euros will be invested into the expansion and reconstruction of Lithuania's largest Vilnius Airport over the next four years, until 2022, and annual revenue of Lietuvos Oro Uostai (Lithuanian Airports, LOU), the sate-run operator of three airports in Lithuania, is set to grow by around 43% to 63 mln euros, informed LETA/BNS.

The company's EBITDA margin is forecast to increase by 45-56% in 2019-2022, from 40 percent last year, according to Lietuvos Oro Uostai's 2018 report.

In I quarter 2019, the volume of construction work carried out in the country amounted to EUR 535.1 mln at current prices, and against the previous period, seasonally and calendar adjusted, increased by 14% (unadjusted – decreased by 40.6%).

Over a quarter, the volume of building construction increased by 18.3%, civil engineering structures – 8.8% more (unadjusted – 23.7% and 59.8% less respectively).

In I quarter 2019, against the respective period of the previous year, the volume of construction work carried out, calendar adjusted and unadjusted, increased by 18.6%.

At the end of summer, the first two Lithuanian electric buses Dancer should start operating in Klaipeda. Vejo projektai, the company that makes them, is almost done building them, while the Klaipeda Bus Park is waiting for the financing, which is planned to get alotted this month.

With bagels making a delicious comeback in Lithuania’s capital and a number of traditional Jewish celebrations becoming part of city life again, there’s a sense that Jewish culture is experiencing somewhat of a rebirth in Vilnius, which has many looking back at the city’s historic ties with its Jewish, or Litvak, community. 

And though the time machine has yet to be invented, it’s now possible to travel back in time to when Vilnius was known as the Jerusalem of the North. Unlocking the Jewish cultural heritage deeply embedded into the city’s streets, buildings, and history has just become a lot easier thanks to the new free guide entitled, Discover Jewish Heritage in Vilnius.

The European Capital of Culture Forum is an annual event initiated by the team of Kaunas – European Capital of Culture 2022, where leaders representing various creative fields from all around Europe come together for gaining and sharing knowledge, getting inspiration, networking and discussing the opportunities for cooperation. One of the main objectives of this initiative is to encourage the culture of collaboration with other sectors, such as business, science or politics.

For the first time in Israel: chamber music, poetry night, performance art, contemporary indie and electronic music, contemporary dance and film from Lithuania.