LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Upcoming events in Lithuania for Friday, October 20, 2023
- Seven irregular migrants turned away on Lithuania's border with Belarus
- Lithuanian parlt committee to look into critical infrastructure protection
- Principle of defense tax welcome, but details are key – Lithuanian president's aide
- Lithuania reports 354 new COVID-19 cases, 1 death
- Lithuania to pay tribute to post-war partisan commander on eve of state funeral
- Half of Lithuanians against decision to strip Russian ice dancer Drobiazko of citizenship
- Lithuanian president invites Australia to join Ukraine reconstruction, demining efforts
- Lithuanian president invites Australia to join Ukraine reconstruction, demining efforts (expands)
- Lithuania, Borodyanka, Bucha agree to develop 3D urban planning tool to rebuild Ukraine
- Lithuania's Tez Tour suspends flights Sinai Peninsula, Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh
- Lithuania to buy underwater surveillance systems for LNG terminal protection – MP
- Lithuanian, German army reps discuss brigade deployment issues
- Most of German brigade to be deployed in Lithuania in 2026 – ministry
- Vilnius-Riga passenger train to be launched next year – minister (corrects)
- Major business events in Lithuania planned for next week
Upcoming events in Lithuania for Friday, October 20, 2023
VILNIUS, Oct 20, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Friday, October 20, 2023:
PRESIDENT Gitanas Nauseda to continue his official visit to Australia.
PRIME MINISTER Ingrida Simonyte to continue her visit to Armenia.
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Seven irregular migrants turned away on Lithuania's border with Belarus
VILNIUS, Oct 20, BNS – Lithuanian border guards have in the past 24 hours turned away seven migrants attempting to cross into the country from Belarus illegally, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) said on Friday morning.
Latvia reported 116 attempts at illegal border crossings on Thursday, and 60 irregular migrants were not allowed into Poland on Wednesday, according to the latest available information.
A total of 2,069 irregular migrants have been barred from entering Lithuania from Belarus at non-designated places so far this year.
Lithuanian border guards have prevented a total of almost 21,400 people from crossing in from Belarus since August 3, 2021, when they were given the right to turn away irregular migrants. The number includes repeated attempts by the same people to cross the border.
The influx of irregular migrants to the EU's eastern member states from Belarus began in 2021 and is blamed by the West on the Minsk regime.
Almost 4,200 irregular migrants crossed into Lithuania from Belarus illegally in 2021. However, the vast majority of them fled Lithuania once they were allowed to move freely.
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Lithuanian parlt committee to look into critical infrastructure protection
VILNIUS, Oct 20, BNS – Lithuania's parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defense (CNSD) is holding a meeting on Friday to discuss the protection of critical infrastructure.
Laurynas Kasciunas, the committee's chairman, says they will look into how the authorities are planning to beef up the protection of key facilities.
"We have invited all the institutions responsible for the protection of our critical infrastructure," Kasciunas told BNS. "We want to hear what the services lack, if anything."
"We will take stock of the current state of protection and look at our weaknesses and strengths. If there are weaknesses, we will look at how we are addressing them – in other words, how we plan to strengthen the protection of the LNG terminal, the power links with Sweden and Poland, and the whole electrical infrastructure, and other critical facilities," he said.
According to Kasciunas, the committee will also analyze how the protection system functions or could function during various provocations or emergencies, or in the event of possible military challenges.
"We have to prepare for everything and look at how prepared we are," he said.
Strategically important for national security are the energy, transportation, information technology, and telecommunications sectors, as well as other high-tech, financial, and military equipment sectors.
Concerns over the security of critical infrastructure arose earlier this month when it emerged that a leak in the Balticconnector gas pipeline linking Finland and Estonia was likely caused by external activity, raising suspicions of Russian involvement.
By Sniegė Balčiūnaitė
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Principle of defense tax welcome, but details are key – Lithuanian president's aide
VILNIUS, Oct 20, BNS – The principle of a defense tax is welcome, but when discussing it, it is important to know from whom and how it would be collected, Kestutis Budrys, President Gitanas Nauseda's chief national security advisor, has said.
"It is of course possible and worthwhile to talk about additional defense-related taxes, but only when planning a longer-term increase in defense spending," Budrys told LRT TV on Thursday.
"We have to talk about the details of what we are talking about and who is going to bear the main burden of the tax: whether it will be people through personal income tax, or whether we would introduce it through some kind of progressivity, or whether it would be through businesses, changes to corporate and value added taxes," the advisor said.
"The principle itself is very fair, civic and solidarity-based, but we can talk about the model itself, what it should look like, when it is on the table," he added.
The advisor was commenting on a recent proposal by Laurynas Kasciunas, chairman of the parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defense, that the authorities should consider introducing a defense tax.
The debate on additional funding for defense comes amid criticism from the president's office and some MPs that next year's draft national defense budget does not earmark funds for the plan, approved by the State Defense Council, to create a Lithuanian Land Force division.
Budrys reiterated his proposal that next year's budget could provide for borrowing for national defense needs as long as the public deficit remains within the Maastricht limit. Such an option is included in this year's budget law.
"These two things are not contradictory," the advisor said, referring to a defense tax and the option of borrowing.
"As for next year, including this option without changing the law is simply reasonable, accurate and fair," he said.
Currently, the government suggests allocating 2.71 percent of GDP to defense in 2024, with 2.52 percent coming from the state budget, and the rest from the so-called "solidarity contributions" by banks.
By Austėja Masiokaitė-Liubinienė
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Lithuania reports 354 new COVID-19 cases, 1 death
VILNIUS, Oct 20, BNS – Lithuania has recorded 354 new coronavirus infections and one death from COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, official statistics showed on Friday morning.
The 14-day primary infection rate has risen to 136.6 cases per 100,000 people, with the seven-day percentage of positive tests at 24.1 percent.
The number of new coronavirus cases hit the peak in Lithuania in early February 2022 when more than 14,000 new infections were recorded daily. Around 1.19 million people in Lithuania have tested positive for COVID-19 at least once.
COVID-19 incidence in Lithuania increased slightly in mid-September after having stayed at a low level since May.
Some 68.5 percent of people in the country have received at least one coronavirus vaccine jab so far, according to the statistics.
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Lithuania to pay tribute to post-war partisan commander on eve of state funeral
VILNIUS, Oct 20, BNS – Lithuania will pay tribute to Colonel Juozas Vitkus-Kazimieraitis, a key post-war anti-Soviet resistance leader whose remains were unearthed last year, on Friday, on the eve of his state funeral in Vilnius.
The remains of Vitkus-Kazimieraitis, the commander of the Southern Lithuania Partisan Region, will be laid in state at St. John's Church on Friday afternoon and a memorial Mass will be celebrated in the evening. He will be buried in the capital's Antakalnis cemetery on Saturday.
On Friday afternoon, wreaths from the president, the parliamentary speaker and the prime minister will be laid, and Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas and Chief of Defense General Valdemaras Rupsys will pay their respects to the partisan commander.
Vitkus-Kazimieraitis is credited as the main founder of Lithuania's partisan resistance system. As the highest-ranking officer in the partisan resistance, he played a special role in setting up headquarters and preparing documents. In 1946, he was elected commander of the Southern Lithuania Partisan Region.
His remains were found in October 2022 during an archaeological excavation in the yard of a former NKVD building in Leipalingis, in the southern municipality of Druskininkai, and identified through DNA analysis.
Vitkus-Kazimieraitis was posthumously awarded the Cross of Vytis of the First Class by presidential decree in 1997. The Lithuanian Armed Forces engineering battalion, a school in his hometown of Tirksliai, and streets in Vilnius, Kaunas and Varena have been named after him.
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Half of Lithuanians against decision to strip Russian ice dancer Drobiazko of citizenship
VILNIUS, Oct 20, BNS - Half of people in Lithuania (51 percent) do not approve the decision to strip Russian ice dancer Margarita Drobiazko of her Lithuanian citizenship, according to a new survey by Baltijos Tyrimai for the public broadcaster LRT, published on Friday.
Only slightly more than a third (35 percent) of the country's population supports the decision to strip Drobiazko of her citizenship. Another one-seventh (14 percent) had no opinion or did not answer the question.
The survey of 1,023 adults Lithuanian residents was carried out by between September 22 and October 7.
Drobiazko was stripped of her Lithuanian citizenship on September 15 after the Citizenship Commission recommended to President Gitanas Nauseda to do that, arguing that the former athlete publicly expressed support for the Kremlin regime's war in Ukraine.
For her part, Drobiazko stated in a public letter that she did not take part in Russian propaganda, but spreads "the light of culture and kindness".
Drobiazko was granted Lithuanian citizenship in 1993 for her merits in sport and for promoting the country's name. Drobiazko and her husband Povilas Vanagas have in the past represented Lithuania in various championships.
Lithuanian authorities say that Drobiazko maintains close professional and personal ties with Tatyana Navka, the wife of Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Outrage in Lithuania erupted after Drobiazko and Vanagas took part in an ice show in Sochi on August 9, 2022.
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Lithuanian president invites Australia to join Ukraine reconstruction, demining efforts
VILNIUS, Oct 20, BNS – President Gitanas Nauseda invited Australia to join Lithuania's reconstruction projects in Ukraine and its initiative to build a mine clearance coalition, as he met with Governor-General David Hurley in Canberra.
Nauseda and Hurley discussed bilateral relations between Lithuania and Australia, economic and trade cooperation, support for Ukraine, and the partnership between Australia and NATO, the president's office said in a press release.
The two officials exchanged views on further efforts to isolate Russia in the international arena and to continue the policy of sanctions aimed at undermining the aggressor's military potential.
"In today's geopolitical reality, where evil forces are coordinating their efforts to attack and destroy freedom-loving societies around the world, the security of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific regions is closely interlinked," Nauseda said.
"Therefore, Lithuania deeply appreciates Australia's military, political, and humanitarian support for Ukraine, which is facing military aggression," the president said.
"The entire free world has to stand together for Ukraine's victory. Only such a victory will deter other potential aggressors in the world from being tempted to follow the precedent set by Russia," he added.
The president "invited Australia to join the reconstruction projects Lithuania is running in Ukraine, as well as Lithuania's initiative to form a mine clearance coalition, which would mobilize efforts to clear the territories of Ukraine that have been liberated from occupation", according to the press release.
Nauseda and Hurley also discussed "the partnership between NATO and the Indo-Pacific region, which was consolidated at the NATO Vilnius Summit, and which strengthens global security and the rules-based international order", the president's office said.
"The common interest of both regions in reducing their dependence on the Chinese market and the importance of cooperation in building resilient supply chains for key technologies and materials was also addressed," it said.
Nauseda said the growing cooperation between Lithuania and Australia opens up "huge opportunities for investment and trade, particularly in life sciences, financial technologies, and defense industries".
The president "said he was confident that a large delegation of Lithuanian business and higher education representatives, which arrived together with him in Australia, would help to establish and develop mutually beneficial economic and academic relations", according to the press release.
The two officials also discussed "the progress of negotiations on bilateral agreements between Lithuania and Australia, which would contribute to the development of business projects, student exchanges, and people-to-people contacts".
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Lithuanian president invites Australia to join Ukraine reconstruction, demining efforts (expands)
(adds last 5 paras)
VILNIUS, Oct 20, BNS – President Gitanas Nauseda invited Australia to join Lithuania's reconstruction projects in Ukraine and its initiative to build a mine clearance coalition, as he met with Governor-General David Hurley in Canberra.
Nauseda and Hurley discussed bilateral relations between Lithuania and Australia, economic and trade cooperation, support for Ukraine, and the partnership between Australia and NATO, the president's office said in a press release.
The two officials exchanged views on further efforts to isolate Russia in the international arena and to continue the policy of sanctions aimed at undermining the aggressor's military potential.
"In today's geopolitical reality, where evil forces are coordinating their efforts to attack and destroy freedom-loving societies around the world, the security of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific regions is closely interlinked," Nauseda said.
"Therefore, Lithuania deeply appreciates Australia's military, political, and humanitarian support for Ukraine, which is facing military aggression," the president said.
"The entire free world has to stand together for Ukraine's victory. Only such a victory will deter other potential aggressors in the world from being tempted to follow the precedent set by Russia," he added.
The president "invited Australia to join the reconstruction projects Lithuania is running in Ukraine, as well as Lithuania's initiative to form a mine clearance coalition, which would mobilize efforts to clear the territories of Ukraine that have been liberated from occupation", according to the press release.
Nauseda and Hurley also discussed "the partnership between NATO and the Indo-Pacific region, which was consolidated at the NATO Vilnius Summit, and which strengthens global security and the rules-based international order", the president's office said.
"The common interest of both regions in reducing their dependence on the Chinese market and the importance of cooperation in building resilient supply chains for key technologies and materials was also addressed," it said.
Nauseda said the growing cooperation between Lithuania and Australia opens up "huge opportunities for investment and trade, particularly in life sciences, financial technologies, and defense industries".
The president "said he was confident that a large delegation of Lithuanian business and higher education representatives, which arrived together with him in Australia, would help to establish and develop mutually beneficial economic and academic relations", according to the press release.
The two officials also discussed "the progress of negotiations on bilateral agreements between Lithuania and Australia, which would contribute to the development of business projects, student exchanges, and people-to-people contacts".
Nauseda and First Lady Diana Nausediene wrapped up their visit to Australia with a meeting with members of the Australian-Lithuanian communities in Canberra, the president's office said in a separate press release.
Nauseda thanked the communities for "fostering the Lithuanian identity and preserving historical memory" and said he hoped "that this meeting and the conversations will be a spur to fruitful discussions on fostering the Lithuanian identity in Australia and future plans".
At the meeting, the president awarded the Medal of the Order for Merits to Lithuania to Viktor Adams, "a former member of the Australian Lithuanian Federal Council, a journalist, a long-time promoter of the Lithuanian language, traditions, national identity, spirit, and patriotism across the Lithuanian diaspora in Australia".
According to Nauseda, next year's citizenship referendum is also important for preserving the Lithuanian diaspora's ties with Lithuania.
"The president welcomed the fact that next year, for the first time, Lithuanian citizens will be able to vote in the elections at the Lithuanian Embassy in Canberra, and encouraged Australia-based Lithuanians to vote actively to express their will," according to the press release.
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Lithuania, Borodyanka, Bucha agree to develop 3D urban planning tool to rebuild Ukraine
VILNIUS, Oct 20, BNS - Lithuania and the Ukrainian towns of Borodyanka and Bucha, which have been significantly damaged during the Russia-launched war, have agreed to develop a 3D urban planning tool to help rebuild Ukraine's destroyed cities.
Such a memorandum has been signed by Lithuanian Environment Minister Simonas Gentvilas, Viktor Romaniuk, a representative of Borodyanka's local council, and Bucha Mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk, the Environment Ministry said on Friday.
"The project launch is very timely as Ukrainian cities affected by the war are starting to develop new master plans. The smart solution offered by Lithuania, the digital tool, facilitates this process, saves time and resources, increases transparency and builds trust among citizens. Moreover, it can be given to any other city in Ukraine, avoiding the risk of physical destruction," the Lithuanian minister said.
The project will be implemented by the Construction Sector Development Agency. It will see the creation of a platform that will allow having 3D images of not only the ongoing but also planned construction projects in Borodyanka and Bucha, and also seeking the impact they will have on the environment and on population.
According to Aidas Vaiculis, director of the CSDA, this tool will be convenient for all those who will contribute to the reconstruction of the destroyed cities, both in terms of design and construction work.
The first project phase will see the development of a digital platform and the collection and uploading of 3D images of cities. These would be used as a basis for the development of a 3D planning tool tailored to Ukrainian cities.
Lithuania would also provide training for municipal staff from Borodyanka and Bucha, not only on how to use the tool, but also on how to further develop and improve it.
The 3D urban planning tool is expected to be developed by the second quarter of 2024.
By Milena Andrukaitytė
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Lithuania's Tez Tour suspends flights Sinai Peninsula, Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh
VILNIUS, Oct 20, BNS - Tez Tour, one of Lithuania's largest tour operators, will suspends direct flights to the Sinai Peninsula and Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt from November 3, the company said on Friday.
Tez Tour CEO Aleksandras Sukovas says the decision was made in response to customer demand.
"We do not see any prospect of developing tourism in this region in the near future. We are monitoring changes in travelers' preferences," he said in a statement.
Tez Tour will offer customers who want to fly to Sharm el-Sheikh after November 3 trips to another Egyptian resort, Hurghada, or suggest a different destination.
Another tour operator, Novaturas, also announced last week it would suspends trips to Jordan as it borders Israel where there's an ongoing military conflict.
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Lithuania to buy underwater surveillance systems for LNG terminal protection – MP
VILNIUS, Oct 20, BNS – In an effort to beef up the protection of the Klaipeda liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, Lithuania is buying systems to better monitor potential underwater threats, Laurynas Kasciunas, chairman of the parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defense (CNSD), said on Friday.
"The LNG terminal (operator Klaipedos Nafta) is already in the process of procuring (systems) to bolster our capabilities in controlling underwater threats," Kasciunas told BNS after the committee's meeting on the critical infrastructure security situation.
"At the end of the year, we will have an underwater capability that will allow us to monitor various unmanned objects underwater and manage those risks," he added.
The MP noted that Lithuania is purchasing security systems to protect not only the LNG terminal, but also other companies in the energy sector.
Concerns over the security of critical infrastructure arose earlier this month when it emerged that a leak in the Balticconnector gas pipeline linking Finland and Estonia was likely caused by external activity, raising suspicions of Russian involvement.
Kasciunas said all the security system purchases discussed by the committee on Friday had been planned and launched before the incident.
"Work was underway before then," he told BNS. "Various incidents in the Baltic Sea, naturally, further reinforce the need to be more resilient and have more tools."
According to the MP, the discussion is not only about reinforcing the protection of individual companies or facilities, but also of the entire seaport of Klaipeda.
"This includes both land and underwater entrances to the port," said Kasciunas. "We are now working out a strategy for generating capabilities to ensure protection in this area."
"We must take a comprehensive approach to the port, because it has not only the LNG terminal, but also other important infrastructure to be protected," he added.
By Sniegė Balčiūnaitė
Editor: Roma Pakėnienė
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Lithuanian, German army reps discuss brigade deployment issues
VILNIUS, Oct 20, BNS - Representatives of the Lithuanian and German armies have discussed the deployment of a German brigade in Lithuania, the Lithuanian army said on Friday, adding that the meeting of a joint working group took place in Lithuania on October 18-20.
"The meeting addressed issues related to the accommodation, transportation, logistics, military training and joint training of German troops with Lithuanian soldiers, as well as the operational planning, legal framework and military infrastructure," the army said.
The German representatives were briefed on the ongoing projects in Lithuania, including the Rudninkai military training area where up to 3,000 troops will be able to live and train, as well as the military facility already under construction in Rokantiskes. Infrastructure that can be provided for the incoming Bundeswehr contingent was also presented during the meeting.
Germany has been leading an international NATO battalion deployed in Lithuania since 2017.
Berlin has vowed increase the size of this unit to brigade size once Lithuania has the necessary infrastructure in place to host German troops and if this does not interfere with other NATO plans.
The planned German brigade's Forward Command Element is already deployed in Lithuania.
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Most of German brigade to be deployed in Lithuania in 2026 – ministry
VILNIUS, Oct 20, BNS – A majority of Germany's brigade will be deployed in Lithuania in 2026, the Defense Ministry said on Friday.
"We already know the structure of the new brigade and have designated specific locations for its deployment," Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said in a press release. "The training areas in Rukla and Rudninkai will be fully utilized for the German brigade's training and exercises."
According to the minister, the greater part of the German brigade will be stationed in Lithuania as early as 2026.
"Some of the German military personnel will be in Lithuania with their families; we will have to provide civilian infrastructure for their family members, including better transport links with Germany," he said.
The Defense Ministry hosted a meeting the Joint Lithuanian-German Working Group on October 18-20 to discuss the stationing of the German brigade in Lithuania.
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Vilnius-Riga passenger train to be launched next year – minister (corrects)
(Corrected version" corrects para 1)
VILNIUS, Oct 20, BNS - A passenger train between Vilnius and Riga will start running early next year, Lithuanian Transport and Communications Minister Marius Skuodis says, adding that the train will go via Siauliai, and discussions are also under way on a service via Daugavpils.
"Lithuania's northern municipalities are showing great interest and willingness to have a passenger train running between Vilnius to Riga via Siauliai, and parallel discussions are underway on the resumption of train services to Daugavpils. I believe we will find the best solution with my counterpart," Skuodis said, adding that the necessary agreements between Lithuanian and Latvian companies will be concluded soon.
The Baltic transport ministers agreed in Riga on Friday to speed up the implementation of the Rail Baltica, the ministry said.
The entire Rail Baltica project connecting the Baltic countries to Europe is scheduled to be completed by 2030, while the connection between Lithuania and Poland is expected to be completed by 2028.
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Major business events in Lithuania planned for next week
VILNIUS, Oct 23, BNS – The following are major business events in Lithuania scheduled for the coming week:
Monday, October 23
The State Data Agency to publish industrial output figures for September.
Eurostat to publish Q2 government debt and deficit figures.
Agriculture Minister Kestutis Navickas to attend a meeting of EU agriculture and fisheries ministers in Luxembourg.
Linas Agro Group to hold a shareholder meeting.
Tuesday, October 24
Economy Minister Ausrine Armonaite's meeting with Plug and Play.
Telia Lietuva to hold a shareholder meeting.
Wednesday, October 25
–
Thursday, October 26
The State Data Agency to publish construction cost figures for September and the 2022 figures on the waste managements in agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
Apranga to publish its nine-month results.
Friday, October 27
The State Data Agency to publish retail and public catering figures for September, inflation figures for October and the results of the latest consumer opinion survey.
Vilniaus Baldai to publish its 202 results.
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