LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN, November 10, 2023

LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

IN THIS ISSUE:

Upcoming events in Lithuania for Friday, November 10, 2023
Lithuanian formin to meet with his Czech counterpart Jan Lipavsky
Forty-one irregular migrants turned away on Lithuania's border with Belarus
Lithuanian presidential office to host fifth Forum of Regions
Lithuania’s formin, Council of Europe SecGen confirm mutual commitment to support Ukraine
Seimas of Lithuania hosting conference on violence against women and children
Sending correspondence will be about 20 pct more expensive from January – LP
Half a ton of drugs worth EUR 70 mln seized in international operation in Vilnius
Lithuanian formin hopes Latvia's LGBTQI decision will impact Seimas
Lithuania, China in talks to normalize diplomatic relations – minister
Czech minister on Ukraine: the larger the EU is, the stronger we are
Lithuania applies to host headquarters of EU’s Anti-Money-Laundering Authority in Vilnius
Lithuania applies to host headquarters of EU’s Anti-Money-Laundering Authority in Vilnius (expands)
Medics, border guards hand over Russian citizen, treated in Vilnius, to Belarus
Vilnius-Riga train service should be launched on Dec 27
Lithuania hands over anti-drones, generators to Ukraine
Lithuania's DefMin suggests easing conditions for defense, security industry
Lithuania urges to step up prevention, response at NATO cyber defense event
British fighter jets involved in intl exercise in Lithuania
Avia Solutions Group loses case against govt over expansion at Vilnius Airport
Lithuania hands over NASAMS missile launchers, equipment to Ukraine
Person suspected of incitement to terrorism detained in Lithuania

Upcoming events in Lithuania for Friday, November 10, 2023

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Friday, November 10, 2023:

PRESIDENT Gitanas Nauseda to open the annual Regions' Forum at 9.30 a.m.; to attend the forum's second part at 1 p.m.

SPEAKER OF THE SEIMAS Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen to attend an international conference on violence again women and international child abduction at 10 a.m.; to meet with Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky at 1 p.m.

JUSTICE MINISTER Ewelina Dobrowolska to meet with Marija Pejcinovic Buric, secretary general of the Council of Europe, at 11 a.m.; to attend a working lunch at the Dutch Embassy in Lithuania at 12.30 p.m.

FOREIGN MINISTER Gabrielius Landsbergis to meet Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky and hold a press conference after the meeting at 11 a.m.; to attend the Future of Democracy Forum.

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Lithuanian formin to meet with his Czech counterpart Jan Lipavsky

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis will meet with his Czech counterpart, Jan Lipavsky, in Vilnius on Friday.

The Lithuanian and Czech foreign ministers will discuss bilateral and regional cooperation, ensuring of comprehensive support to Ukraine, regional security, the EU and NATO agenda, democracy support, the situation in the Middle East, and other issues of international importance, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

The Czech foreign minister will attend the Future of Democracy Forum, taking place in Vilnius on November 9-10, at Landsbergis’ invitation.

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Forty-one irregular migrants turned away on Lithuania's border with Belarus

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – Lithuanian border guards have in the past 24 hours turned away 41 migrants attempting to cross into the country from Belarus illegally, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) said on Friday morning.

Latvia reported 13 attempts at illegal border crossings on Thursday, and 56 irregular migrants were not allowed into Poland on Wednesday, according to the latest available information.

A total of 2,252 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 some 21,600 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 presidential office to host fifth Forum of Regions

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – The Lithuanian presidential office is on Friday hosting the annual Forum of Regions, initiated by President Gitanas Nauseda, which provides a platform for discussions on key regional policy and local government development issues.

The Forum, which will be held for the fifth time, is traditionally organized in cooperation with the Interior Ministry and the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania (ALAL), the presidential office said in a press release.

The first part of the event will present the course of implementation of Regional Development Programs and discuss reforms in education and healthcare.

President Gitanas Nauseda, ALAL President Mindaugas Sinkevicius and Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite will deliver welcoming remarks.

Presentations will be made by Minister of Education, Science and Sport Gintautas Jakstas, Deputy Interior Minister Arnoldas Abramavicius, and Deputy Health Minister Danguole Jankauskiene. Representatives of ministries, mayors of municipalities and experts will participate in the discussion.

The second part of the Forum will be devoted to a discussion on the state of the country's roads and the improvement of transport infrastructure.

The Lithuanian president will give a welcoming speech, and presentations will be made by Sinkevicius, economist Marius Dubnikovas and Presidential Adviser Nerijus Kaucikas.

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Lithuania’s formin, Council of Europe SecGen confirm mutual commitment to support Ukraine

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić have confirmed their mutual commitment to support Ukraine at their meeting in Vilnius.

Landsbergis met with the secretary general of the Council of Europe on Thursday, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

Pejčinović Burić came to Vilnius to attend the high-level Future of Democracy Forum at the minister’s invitation.

The meeting focused on the issues of cooperation between the Council of Europe and Lithuania in light of the changing geopolitical environment and the upcoming Lithuanian Chairmanship of the Council’s Committee of Ministers in May-November 2024.

Both interlocutors identified support for Ukraine in the face of brutal aggression as an essential purpose of activity.

“Strong support for Ukraine will be the highest priority of the Lithuanian Chairmanship. The Chairmanship will further strengthen Vilnius's role as a global hub for holding meetings and exchanging ideas between forces of freedom and democracy and contribute to disseminating the values defended and represented by the Council of Europe,” Lithuania’s foreign minister said.

In May 2024, Lithuania will take over the Chairmanship of the Council’s Committee of Ministers from Liechtenstein.

The priorities of the Lithuanian Chairmanship will ensure the continuity of the activities of the Council of Europe – the implementation of the decisions taken at the Reykjavik Summit will continue.

According to the ministry, comprehensive support for Ukraine will be Lithuania’s top priority. It will include the implementation of the Council’s Action Plan for Ukraine, the strengthening of democratic institutions, the proper functioning of the Register of Damage for Ukraine, and the return of kidnapped and deported Ukrainian children.

The Lithuanian Chairmanship will also focus on promoting democracy in the region and will continue to support the Belarusian and Russian democratic opposition and independent media.

Lithuania will also seek to reinforce the Council of Europe so that only the citizens of the CoE member states remain in its secretariat. Other priority items are gender equality, the fight against corruption and disinformation.

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Seimas of Lithuania hosting conference on violence against women and children

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – The Seimas of Lithuania is on Friday hosting an international conference on "International child custody battles and violence against women: what works, what doesn't, and what needs to be changed?", which will be attended by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem.

The conference will also be attended by Viktorija Cmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, and Monika Navickiene, Minister of Social Security and Labor.

During the conference, Reem Alsalem, a United Nations expert, will give a detailed presentation of her report entitled “Custody, violence against women and violence against children” and published in June.

According to the organizers, the Lithuanian judiciary, the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service, and women's rights organizations will have the opportunity to discuss the relevance of the issues for Lithuania and possible legal, institutional and political solutions.

The conference will also bring together women who have been victims of domestic violence and have faced gaps in international child custody law.

In her report on custody, violence against women and violence against children, Alsalem, along with the other members of the Platform of Independent Expert Mechanisms on the Elimination of Discrimination and Violence against Women, has voiced concern about the pattern of ignoring intimate partner violence against women in determining child custody cases across jurisdictions, with the tendency to dismiss the history of domestic violence and abuse in custody cases extending to cases where mothers and/or children themselves have brought forward credible allegations of physical or sexual abuse.

The report also raises the issue of adequacy of international law for combating violence against women and girls.

In addition, the report points out that the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction does not mention domestic violence, neither does it include protections for abused mothers. As a result, when mothers flee with their children across international borders, they become vulnerable to being treated as an “abducting” parent by the courts.

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Sending correspondence will be about 20 pct more expensive from January – LP

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS - Sending correspondence in Lithuanian will become 20 percent more expensive in Lithuania from January after the country Communications Regulatory Authority (RRT) allowed increasing the tariffs of the universal postal service and change the pricing of correspondence.

"On average, sending correspondence in Lithuania is expected to become about 20 percent more expensive. Sending a postcard now costs 1.3 euros, but it should cost 1.55 euros from January," Deimante Zebrauskaite, head of the Communications Department at the Lithuanian Post, told the public radio LRT on Friday. "The cost of services is rising due to the increase in pay, fuel costs and energy."

In her words, the prices for sending correspondence outside Lithuania will be published on December 1. These tariffs will also enter into force early next year.

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Half a ton of drugs worth EUR 70 mln seized in international operation in Vilnius

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – Officers of the Lithuanian Customs Criminal Service (CCS) intercepted a consignment containing half a ton of drugs during an international operation in Vilnius.

The value of such a consignment of drugs on the black market exceeds 70 million euros. In the opinion of customs officials, this quantity of drugs was clearly not destined for the Lithuanian market and the drugs would most likely have moved to another country.

As reported by the CCS on Friday, a consignment of nearly 500 kilograms of mephedrone from abroad was intercepted at the premises of a company in Vilnius on October 20.

In addition to the Lithuanian Customs, officers from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board and the Latvian Tax and Customs Police Department took part in this international drug interception operation.

A pre-trial investigation has been opened at the CCS for smuggling a very large quantity of drugs. The director of the company was questioned as a special witness.

The investigation was launched in cooperation between Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian officials after 26 barrels containing a crystalline synthetic narcotic substance were flown from Cyprus to Estonia.

The shipment was to be transported via Latvia to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, to the address of a logistics company.

However, law enforcement officials inspected the shipment in Estonia and found 482 kilograms of mephedrone (a synthetic stimulant drug similar in effect to cocaine, amphetamine or cathinone).

On October 20, the cargo was delivered to the premises of a logistics company in Vilnius at a specified address, under the control of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian customs officials working in close cooperation. The consignment was intercepted there and Lithuanian officials searched the company.

The pre-trial investigation opened by the CCS for smuggling a very large quantity of drugs is led by prosecutors from the Organized Crime and Corruption Investigation Division of the Vilnius Regional Prosecutor's Office. Such an offence is punishable by imprisonment from ten to eighteen years.

A pre-trial investigation into drug smuggling has also been opened in Estonia.

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Lithuanian formin hopes Latvia's LGBTQI decision will impact Seimas

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis hopes Latvia's recent decision to legalize same-sex partnerships will have an impact on the Lithuanian parliament as the latter is set to hold the final vote on the matter.

"I do want to believe that this will allow, or at least raise additional questions for colleagues in the Seimas, to reflect on the fact that this is a human rights issue," the leader of the ruling conservative Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats told reporters on Friday.

"Lithuania is a human rights state, and the restoration of its own state is based on the rule of law and human rights principles. Therefore, those principles must be applied equally to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or other aspects," he said.

He made the remarks after the Latvian parliament adopted on Thursday a package of laws on the establishment of partnerships. The changes will apply to same-sex couples as well and they will be able to legalize and register their relationship. Partnerships will be registered in Latvia from mid-2024.

Earlier this year, the Estonian parliament passed a law that will allow two adults to marry from January, regardless of their gender.

"Obviously, we are the only Baltic country left, with Estonia and Latvia moving into the Nordic bloc, leaving Lithuania on the other side," Landsbergis said.

In Lithuania, both male-female or same-sex partnerships are not legal. Previous votes in the Seimas on the issue failed.

In May, the Seimas approved by a margin of several votes a civil union bill that would legalize same-sex partnerships. Lawmakers still need to vote the final time on this bill.

Landsbergis says he will "certainly find" an opportunity to refer to the Latvian decision when speaking to his colleagues.

"I want to believe, I have hope, that maybe the next parliament will come even closer to this issue and we will end up at least among the Nordic countries on the human rights issue," he said.

Asked whether his statement meant he doubted that the decision would be made by the existing parliament, Landsbergis said that "the political parties that have it in their program should be asked about this".

The partnership issue is being actively pushed by the Freedom Party, part of the ruling block in Lithuania. Its representatives vow to put the issue to the final vote later this parliament session.

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Lithuania, China in talks to normalize diplomatic relations – minister

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS - Lithuanian and Chinese officials are talking about the possible normalization of diplomatic relations, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis says.

"I would not like to speak about the scope right now, but talks are definitely taking place. And even right now," Lithuania's top diplomat told reporters on Friday when asked about the possible return of ambassadors to both countries.

China downgraded its diplomatic representation with Lithuania in 2021 and imposed trade restrictions after Lithuania allowed Taiwan to open a representative office in the name of the island in Vilnius. Beijing viewed this as Lithuania's support for Taiwan to act as an independent state.

China seeks to isolate Taipei on the world stage and avoids using the word 'Taiwan' in any way not to give the island international legitimacy.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu is in Lithuania right now and n Thursday he met with Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, who has recently visited Taiwan, as well as some lawmakers, but he did not meet with representatives of the executive branch.

Lithuania's leader and Landsbergis made this decision in line with the "One China" principle and avoided any reference to recognition of Taiwan.

By Augustas Stankevičius

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Czech minister on Ukraine: the larger the EU is, the stronger we are

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS –Prague supports Ukraine's bid to become a member of the European Union, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky sad in Vilnius on Friday.

He also welcomed the European Commission's recommendation to open negotiations on Kyiv's EU membership.

"The larger the EU is, the stronger we are," Lipavsky told reporters on Friday after meeting Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, adding, however, that Ukraine still has "homework" to do.

The Czech minister was speaking after the European Commission recommended that member states open formal negotiations on Ukraine and Moldova's EU membership and grant candidate status to Georgia. However, the final and unanimous decision on this is still to be made by the head of EU member states.

The European Commission lauded Ukraine, which Russian troops invaded last year, saying that the government "has shown a remarkable level of institutional strength, determination and ability to function". But it said talks should start only after it has addressed corruption, lobbying concerns and a law on national minorities.

For his part, Landsbergis says while there are EU countries that have doubts about Ukraine's membership, the EC "has a variety of levers" to persuade these members.

EU leaders are expected to decide whether to accept the EC's recommendations at a summit in Brussels on December 14-15.

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Lithuania applies to host headquarters of EU’s Anti-Money-Laundering Authority in Vilnius

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – Lithuania has applied to host the headquarters of the Anti-Money-Laundering Authority (AMLA) – the European Union's (EU) authority to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism – in Vilnius, the Finance Ministry has announced.

Lithuania’s official application, signed by Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste, was submitted to the European Commission on Friday, the ministry said in a press release.

"Today, we have officially submitted Vilnius' application to the European Commission for the hosting of AMLA," the press release quoted Skaiste as saying.

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Lithuania applies to host headquarters of EU’s Anti-Money-Laundering Authority in Vilnius (expands)

Lithuania’s official application, signed by Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste, was submitted to the European Commission on Friday, the ministry said in a press release.

"Today, we have officially submitted Vilnius' application to the European Commission for the hosting of AMLA," the press release quoted Skaiste as saying.

The government approved the application on October 11, and Friday is the last day for its submission.

The countries' applications will be assessed by the European Commission, in parallel with discussions between the European Parliament and the EU Council on the final decision-making model.

The country that will host AMLA headquarters is expected to be announced in the coming months, and the new institution should start work in the first half of next year.

Skaiste believes that Vilnius is the best place for such an agency, as there are a lot of financial sector risk experts in Lithuania and it is also a convenient location.

According to the minister, Lithuania is also ready to offer premises that meet the highest quality standards and to take care of the social protection and integration of AMLA employees and their family members.

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Medics, border guards hand over Russian citizen, treated in Vilnius, to Belarus

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – Medics and border guards on Friday handed over to Belarus a Russian citizen who was brought to the Lithuanian capital's medics in mid-October after developing health problems on a flight from Turkey to Moscow.

According to Giedrius Misutis, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service (SBGS), the Russian woman who was in a serious condition was treated at the Republican Vilnius University Hospital, from where she was transported by ambulance on Friday morning to the Medininkai border checkpoint, where she was handed over to Belarusian medics and officials at around 9 a.m.

"She was handed over to the Belarusian ambulance service in a serious condition and was accompanied by her daughter, who contributed to the technical aspects of the woman's transfer," Misutis said.

According to him, the woman, born in 1973, was treated in Lithuania on humanitarian grounds. When handing her over to Belarus, the SBGS took a formal decision to return the Russian citizen and order her to leave Lithuania.

On October 18, a plane flying from Antalya to Moscow was forced to land at Vilnius airport due to the health problems developed by the said passenger and hand the woman over to a medical team. The aircraft then continued its journey.

Aircraft registered in Russia or owned by Russian nationals are not allowed to use the airspace of European Union countries due to the European Union sanctions, but this ban does not apply to emergency landings in the event of a risk to the health or life of passengers.

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Vilnius-Riga train service should be launched on Dec 27

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – The first train from Vilnius to Riga should depart on December 27, LTG Link, the passenger arm of Lithuania's state-owned railway company Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai (Lithuanian Railways, LTG), has said.

However, the date of the first trip may still be subject to adjustments.

"We hope that in the future it (the route - BNS) will be supplemented with a link to Tallinn, and that the construction of the Rail Baltica railway line will make traveling to our neighbors even faster and more comfortable," Loreta Maskalioviene, deputy minister of transport and communications, said in a press release.

The train service will run between Vilnius and Riga via Kaisiadorys, Siauliai, Joniskis and Jelgava, competing with cars.

According to Gediminas Seckus, LTG Link's interim CEO, people will be able to travel on this route without changing trains, and the train will be adapted to the individual needs of people.

The company is currently carrying out preparatory work for the new route and has already signed an agreement with the Latvian infrastructure manager for the use of the country's railways.

Also, LTG Link has applied to the Latvian and European authorities for the necessary permits for international routes to operate on Latvia’s territory, and is working on other issues related to the organization of the new route in order to comply with Latvia’s requirements as well as on the development of a service package.

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Lithuania hands over anti-drones, generators to Ukraine

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – Lithuania has handed over anti-drones and generators to Ukraine, the Defense Ministry said on Friday.

"Lithuania is sending to Ukraine the technologies that help on the modern battlefield. It is important to understand that today's war requires modern technologies such as anti-drones or other modern equipment. And the generators are being transferred with a view to the inexorably approaching winter, which is likely to be a difficult one," a press release from the ministry quoted Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas as saying.

General Valery Zaluzhny, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, has said that his country, which is fighting the Russian invasion, is now in dire need of advanced drone technology, electronic warfare capabilities and equipment to defuse mines.

According to the Defense Ministry, Lithuania's military aid handed over to Ukraine this year includes Mi-8 helicopters, L-70 anti-aircraft guns with ammunition, M113 armored personnel carriers, millions of rounds of ammunition, ammunition for grenade-launchers, radar kits and a wide range of other assistance.

In addition, Lithuania is also training Ukrainian soldiers, providing medical treatment and rehabilitation, and expert advice, and contributing to international funds for assistance to the country which is fighting back against Russia's military aggression.

Lithuania has also prepared a military aid package for Ukraine, worth 200 million euros, for the 2024-2026 period.

As estimated by the Defense Ministry, Lithuania's total support to Ukraine amounts to more than 1 billion euros, or more than 1.2 percent of its GDP, with military aid making up a half of the amount.

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Lithuania's DefMin suggests easing conditions for defense, security industry

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – Lithuania's Defense Ministry has drafted amendments that would help attract investments in the defense and security industry and promote the development of this industry in Lithuania.

"In order to encourage the natural market economy-based growth of the defense and security industry, we need to establish the most favorable possible legal framework for its development," the ministry said in a draft government resolution.

Right now, the development of new high tech related to the production of defense and dual-use products and their attraction or development in Lithuania is hampered by untapped public procurement opportunities and insufficient funding, the ministry underlined.

"Under existing funding instruments, defense technology development usually ends up in prototyping and enters the "valley of death" in the innovation cycle," the ministry said. "Due to public procurement requirements, the Lithuanian army cannot directly, without a tender, acquire technologies developed by Lithuanian scientists in accordance with the army's needs and use them to strengthen both national capabilities when this is necessary to ensure the essential interests of national security, and to create more favorable conditions for their expansion into foreign markets," the Defense Ministry states.

The amendments also aim to improve weapons and ammunition as right now, according to the drafters, is currently more suited to civilian production than to weapons used by the armed forces, which is why initiatives to start production in Lithuania fail.

If approved by the government, amendments will be submitted to the parliament.

By Valdas Pryšmantas

Editor: Roma Pakėnienė

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Lithuania urges to step up prevention, response at NATO cyber defense event

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – Lithuania's Defense Vice Minister Greta Monika Tuckute has urged NATO to strengthen prevention and response measures at the NATO Cyber Defense Conference in Berlin.

Tuckute was part of a panel of speakers, together with representatives from the US, Germany, Poland and Spain, and spoke about the cyber lessons of Russia's war in Ukraine.

"The key lessons are prevention, capacity building and closer cooperation with allies, partners and the private sector. Especially with Ukraine as it invested in its cyber resilience even before the war started and this helped to reduce the damage. We hope that NATO will take the lessons from Ukraine into account and play a stronger role in strengthening both cyber response and defense tools and preventive measures," the Lithuanian vice minister said.

NATO could make more effective use of the new Virtual Cyber Incident Support Capability (VCISC), endorsed by the NATO summit in Vilnius, to support allies and partners in terms of both pre-crisis and incident management, Tuckute said.

In her words, the Lithuanian-led EU Cyber Rapid Response Force (CRRF), which has been in operation for five years, can serve as a model for such a NATO force as the CRRF assists EU member states, partners and EU military operations.

Those sharing their insights at the high-level conference included NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the foreign ministers of Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Latvia and Albania, the heads of NATO cyber security institutions, representatives of public sector companies, including Palo Alto, Microsoft, Mandiant, ESET, academics and other representatives of NATO countries.

NATO announced its initiative to organize the first annual NATO Cyber Defense Conference during the summit in Vilnius in July.

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British fighter jets involved in intl exercise in Lithuania

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS - British fighter jets have taken part in an international exercise in Lithuania's Kazlu Ruda, simulating the destruction of targets, the Lithuanian army said on Friday.

Fifth-generation F-35 and Eurofighter Typhoon fighters took off from the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in the North Sea during the international exercise Neptune Strike.

According to the army, the main objective of this exercise, which started on October 30, is to train using fighter jets to support the air, sea and land forces of any NATO country from an existing deployment.

20 NATO countries from Europe and one partner country land and carry out operations during Neptune Strike.

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Avia Solutions Group loses case against govt over expansion at Vilnius Airport

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – A court has finally rejected a complaint by Avia Solutions Group, an aviation business group owned by businessman Gediminas Ziemelis, against the decisions of the Lithuanian government and the government's commission vetting deals important to national security to block its expansion at Vilnius Airport.

Last Wednesday, the Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania (SACL) rejected the appeal of the group's subsidiary VA Reals and upheld the February 2022 decision of the Vilnius Regional Administrative Court.

The panel of judges of the SACL also rejected the company's request for a preliminary ruling from the Constitutional Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

The dispute was heard in private before the courts, but the impersonal ruling of the Supreme Administrative Court has been made public.

VA Reals asked the courts to annul the government's decision of March 17, 2021, and the government commission's decision of February 25, 2021, declaring that the company does not fit with the interests of national security.

In VA Reals’ view, the commission's decision and the government's decision are unlawful, do not comply with the principle of proportionality, and are unreasonable and illogical, according to the SACL ruling.

The company told the courts that it intended to reconstruct a hangar at Vilnius Airport, but in February 2021, the government’s commission found the company to be a risk to national security and denied the project.

The 15min.lt news website wrote back in 2021 that the investment planned by Avia Solutions Group in Vilnius Airport might have been blocked not only because of the group's ties to Russian oligarch Sergey Chemezov, the head of Rostec, in a Moscow airport construction project, but also due to possible links to the Russian company Aeroflot and a pharmaceutical plant in Belarus.

The government’s commission screens investments in Vilnius Airport because airports are included in the list of Category 1 companies of national security importance.

In recent years, Lithuanian national security authorities have been wary of Avia Solutions Group's investments due to its previous activities at Moscow Zhukovsky Airport and its aviation business in Russia.

The group says it has severed all links with the Zhukovsky Airport project as early as in 2018, calling the blocking of its activities a "witch hunt" and urging the intelligence services to disclose all available information.

Avia Solutions Group said that its investment in the reconstruction of the FL Technics hangar would have amounted to 7 million euros and would have created 200 new jobs.

By Roma Pakėnienė

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Lithuania hands over NASAMS missile launchers, equipment to Ukraine

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS - Lithuania has handed over launchers and necessary equipment for the NASAMS medium-range air defense systems to Ukraine, Lithuania's Defense Ministry said on Friday.

"The NASAMS missile launchers purchased by Lithuania will be integrated into the Ukrainian Armed Forces' fire control units, thus complementing and expanding the operational capability of the NASAMS systems donated by Norway and the US. Our support remains an important factor in Ukraine's defense. We hear Ukraine's needs and we urge our allies to hear them as well," Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas was quoted as saying in the statement.

Lithuania's Defense Materiel Agency signed a contract with Norway's Kongsberg for the purchase of NASAMS launchers handed over to Ukraine in June. It was stated at the time that Lithuania was buying NASAMS air defense launchers for Ukraine for 9.8 million euros.

Before the launchers were handed over to Ukrainian troops, they underwent comprehensive driving and repair training in Norway, the ministry added.

Together with the NASAMS launchers, Lithuania has also provided all-terrain vehicles needed for NASAMS crews. The Norwegian Ministry of Defense contributed to this Lithuanian support by giving Ukraine additional support equipment necessary and Fire Distribution Centers for NASAMS launchers.

The support was taken to Ukraine by the Lithuanian army.

According to the Defense Ministry, the total value of Lithuania's military assistance to Ukraine stands around 500 million euros. The next planned Lithuanian military assistance includes grenade launcher ammunition, logistic vehicles and various types of equipment for the winter season.

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Person suspected of incitement to terrorism detained in Lithuania

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS - A person suspected of incitement to terrorist crimes has been detained in Lithuania during an international operation, the country's police said on Friday.

A total of five member of an ultra-right-wing organization were detained during the international operation coordinated by Eurojust and Europol on Thursday.

The organization was using an online communication platform to disseminate propaganda on terrorism and violent extremism, to recruit others to commit terrorist offenses and to share instructions on how to make and use explosives and firearms, the police said.

Some members are suspected to have written manifestos and were in possession of various weapons.

"Despite the young age of the suspects, all indications pointed to a high risk that some of these individuals would take violent action in the near future," the police said.

The one person arrested in Lithuania is suspected of participation in a terrorist group with the aim of committing terrorist offenses and incitement to commit terrorist offenses.

The pre-trial investigation in Lithuania is being carried out by the country's Criminal Police Bureau and coordinated by the Prosecutor General's Office.

By Ingrida Steniulienė

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Nov 15 2023

LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

IN THIS ISSUE:

Taiwanese formin meets with Lithuanian parlt speaker, MPs, discusses relations
Upcoming events in Lithuania for Thursday, November 9, 2023
Twenty irregular migrants turned away on Lithuania's border with Belarus
Taiwan's formin to meet with MPs, take part in democracy forum in Vilnius
Lithuania reports 560 new COVID-19 cases, no deaths
Lithuanian parlt to consider proposals on Grazulis' immunity, Zemaitaitis' impeachment
7 out of 10 voters would support Nauseda vs. Simonyte for president – survey
Lithuanian FM says hearing various considerations from EU members on Kyiv accession talks
Lithuania's CEC distributes state budget appropriations to political parties
Presidential election in Lithuania to take place on May 12
Taiwanese formin meets with Lithuanian parlt speaker, MPs, discusses relations (expands)
Taiwanese formin meets with Lithuanian parlt speaker, MPs, discusses relations (further expands)
European, African officials, UN, OSCE reps to attend Future of Democracy Forum in Vilnius
Migration Department revokes ex-Yedinstvo leader’s permanent residence permit in Lithuania
Ecofin: Lithuania to receive EUR 1.75 b in European loans, grants
Upcoming events in Lithuania for Friday, November 10, 2023
Lithuania supports Armenia's European, democratic orientation

Taiwanese formin meets with Lithuanian parlt speaker, MPs, discusses relations

VILNIUS, Nov 09, BNS – Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu met with Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen on Thursday and also held a meeting with other lawmakers.

"It is two good friends meeting with each other and sharing all kinds of things about bilateral relations. It was wonderful," Wu told reporters.

Speaking with BNS, Cmilyte-Nielsen, who has recently visited Taiwan herself, thanked the minister for the warm welcome she received in Taipei.

"We discussed ways to further step up economic cooperation and support for Ukraine," she said.

Wu also met with members of the parliamentary group for relations with Taiwan.

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Upcoming events in Lithuania for Thursday, November 9, 2023

VILNIUS, Nov 9, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Thursday, November 9, 2023:

SPEAKER OF THE SEIMAS Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen to meet with Gary Kasparov at 11.20 a.m.

FOREIGN MINISTER Gabrielius Landsbergis to meet with Marija Pejcinovic Buric, secretary general of the Council of Europe.

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Twenty irregular migrants turned away on Lithuania's border with Belarus

VILNIUS, Nov 09, BNS – Lithuanian border guards have in the past 24 hours turned away 20 migrants attempting to cross into the country from Belarus illegally, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) said on Thursday morning.

Twenty attempts to cross illegally into Lithuania recorded on Wednesday followed an eight-day pause in attempted illegal crossings,

Latvia reported 95 attempts at illegal border crossings on Wednesday, and 120 irregular migrants were not allowed into Poland on Tuesday, according to the latest available information.

A total of 2,211 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 some 21,500 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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Taiwan's formin to meet with MPs, take part in democracy forum in Vilnius

VILNIUS, Nov 09, BNS –Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, currently on a visit to Vilnius, will on Thursday meet with Lithuanian lawmakers and take part in the Future of Democracy Forum.

Matas Maldeikis, head of the parliamentary group for relations with Taiwan, earlier told BNS that MPs planned to discuss economic cooperation, the security situation in the Indo-Pacific, and support to Ukraine with the minister.

Meanwhile, Lithuanian leaders and the foreign minister do not plan to meet with Joseph Wu. According to political analysts, Lithuania's top officials are thus avoiding hints about recognizing Taiwan as a state, which are irritating China.

"We follow the one-China policy, which implies that we have no official contacts," Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told reporters on Wednesday.

On Thursday night, Taiwan's top diplomat will participate in the Future of Democracy Forum organized by the Institute of International Relations and Political Science at Vilnius University and the Foreign Ministry.

The forum is attended by democracy activists and defenders from all over the world. As the IIRPS told BNS, "some of them face security challenges at home due to their activities, so the event's program is only available to the participants".

Vilnius' decision to allow Taipei to open a Taiwanese representative office in the Lithuanian capital in 2021 angered China and Beijing limited its relations with Vilnius and blocked Lithuanian exports and imports. This led the EU's appeal to the World Trade Organization early last year.

Despite the opening of the Taiwanese representative office, Lithuania maintains its "one China" approach stating that there is only one sovereign state called China and Taiwan is an integral part of it.

By Augustas Stankevičius

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Lithuania reports 560 new COVID-19 cases, no deaths

VILNIUS, Nov 09, BNS – Lithuania has recorded 560 new coronavirus infections and no deaths from COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, official statistics showed on Thursday morning.

The 14-day primary infection rate has risen to 216 cases per 100,000 people, with the seven-day percentage of positive tests at 35.3 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 took an upward turn 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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Lithuanian parlt to consider proposals on Grazulis' immunity, Zemaitaitis' impeachment

VILNIUS, Nov 09, BNS – The Lithuanian parliament is set on Thursday to discuss proposals to strop Petras Grazulis, a member of the non-attached group in the Seimas, of his immunity to face charges of expressing contempt for members of the LGBTIQ community, and also to start impeachment proceedings against Remigijus Zemaitaitis, another member of the same group, for anti-Semitic statements.

The parliament has already given its initial backing to the two motions, and lawmakers will now consider them and vote on them next week.

A couple of weeks ago, the prosecutor general addressed the Seimas asking to lift the legal immunity of Grazulis, a member of the non-attached political group in the Lithuanian parliament, so that prosecutors could charge him for publicly ridiculing and expressing contempt for a group of persons or a person on grounds of their sexual orientation.

Prosecutors launched an investigation against him on May 26, 2022 after Grazulis' statement in a parliament corridor.

On May 26, 2022, after the Seimas gave its initial backing to the civil union bill legalizing same-sex unions, Grazulis met several representatives of the LGBTIQ community as he was leaving the plenary session hall and called them degenerates spreading STDs, and said they should get treatment.

In Zemaitaitis' case, the ruling block is initiating impeachment proceedings against him for anti-Semitic statements, saying that the MP's public statement and social media posts are anti-Semitic and incite to hatred. Having assessed his statement and post, a special parliament inquiry commission concluded earlier there were grounds to impeach him.

It stated that the MP attributed serious and very serious crimes committed by other persons or groups of persons to the Jewish people, blamed the Jewish people as a whole for the actions of individuals of that nationality or of certain acts of the State of Israel or its institutions.

It is also pointed out that, when speaking about the State of Israel, Jewish persons and the Jewish people as a whole, Zemaitaitis "used derogatory, impersonal, stereotyping, dehumanizing rhetoric, and presented tendentious and biased evaluations of historical and contemporary events related to Jewish persons".

The commission stated that, as a high-ranking state politician, the MP had insulted and humiliated the Israeli ambassador to Lithuania, an accredited official representative of the State of Israel, had insulted the State of Israel, and had openly justified and endorsed statement encouraging violent crackdown on the Jews.

According to the Seimas Statute, if such a commission finds that there are grounds for impeachment and the Seimas approves this conclusion, lawmakers will have to turn to the Constitutional Court for it to determine whether the MP in question has seriously violated the Constitution and broken his oath of office. A simple majority is sufficient for that.

If the Constitutional Court were to find a violation, the resolution to revoke the MP's mandate would be deemed adopted if at least three-fifths or at least 85 members of the Seimas voted in favor.

Zemaitaitis, who had been invited to cooperate with the impeachment commission in various ways, never showed up at its meetings. He calls the commission unlawful, and accusations against him absurd.

For its part, the Prosecutor General's Office is conducting a pre-trial investigation into public contempt and incitement to hatred against any national, racial, ethnic, religious or other group of people. Zemaitaitis, who enjoys legal immunity, has been questioned as a special witness.

By Milena Andrukaitytė

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7 out of 10 voters would support Nauseda vs. Simonyte for president – survey

VILNIUS, Nov 09, BNS - Seven out of ten votes would go to Lithuania's incumbent President Gitanas Nauseda, if voters were to choose between him and Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte in a presidential election, according to new surveys by the 15min.lt news website

After combining the results of two surveys and summing up the answers of the respondents who said they would vote, the website predicts that if the two politicians were to face each other in the presidential runoff, 30 percent would support Simonyte and 70 percent would vote for Nauseda.

According to the Vilmorus live and telephone survey, 53.6 percent of respondents would have voted for Nauseda in October, while 14.3 percent would have voted for Simonyte. In July 2022, 47.6 percent would have supported the president and 16.4 percent would have voted for the prime minister.

According to the Nordstat online poll, 46 percent would vote for Nauseda and 28 percenr would pick Simonyte, compared to 34 and 29 percent respectively in July 2022.

BNS reminds that the Seimas is currently considering a proposal to hold a presidential election in Lithuania on May 12.

Simonyte has been nominated by the ruling conservative Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrats. Meanwhile, Nauseda is yet to announce whether he will seek re-election.

Nauseda already faced Simonyte in the presidential runoff in 2019 and won after receiving 65.68 percent of votes against 33.04 percent of votes for Simonyte.

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Lithuanian FM says hearing various considerations from EU members on Kyiv accession talks

VILNIUS, Nov 09, BNS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis says he is hearing "various considerations" from European Union (EU) member states on Ukraine's EU membership negotiations.

His comments came after the European Commission recommended opening formal membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova as well as granting candidate status to Georgia. However, a final and unanimous decision on this still has to be taken by national leaders.

"I cannot say whether the EU leaders are ready to vote unanimously, because it is a matter of a unanimous vote,” Lithuanian top diplomat told reporters in the Seimas on Thursday.

“We are hearing all sorts of considerations, Hungary, an opponent of the EU's geopolitical direction, has said immediately that it does not support such a decision, it has made remarks about Ukraine's democracy, and I always invite you to look in the mirror.”

However, he stressed that the European institutions have the leverage and bargaining power to find the solution.

"I want to believe that it will be found," the head of Lithuanian diplomacy said.

He also pointed out that the Commission had also expressed certain conditions.

The European Commission on Wednesday lauded Ukraine, saying that the government “has shown a remarkable level of institutional strength, determination and ability to function.”

But it also said that talks should only start once it has addressed corruption, lobbying concerns, and a law on national minorities.

"This must be taken seriously," Landsbergis said.

However, he said that "Lithuania is ready to stand with Ukraine on the road to reform, too".

"We will help every step of the way, we will mobilize coalitions so that there will be more help", the minister said.

The Community’s leaders are expected to decide whether to endorse the Commission's recommendations at a summit in Brussels on December 14-15.

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Lithuania's CEC distributes state budget appropriations to political parties

VILNIUS, Nov 09, BNS – Lithuania's Central Electoral Commission on Thursday distributed state budget appropriations to the country's political parties for the second half of this year, and one more party, the Lithuanian Green Party, received funding after the last municipal election.

Having crossed the 2-percent threshold, this party received more than 62,000 euros.

A total of 2.9 million euros has been allocated to 12 parties. The ruling conservative Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats received the largest share of the funds – over 780,000 euros, followed by the opposition Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union with more than 478,000 euros and the opposition Lithuanian Social Democratic Party with more than 413,000 euros.

The Liberal Movement, part of the ruling block, received more than 235,000, the opposition Labor Party was granted more than 207,000 euros and the Freedom Party, also part of the ruling coalition, received over 168,000 euros.

Having several representatives elected in single-mandate constituencies, the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – Christian Families Alliance received over 147,000 euros, followed by the Lithuanian Regions Party with over 99,000 euros, the Freedom and Justice Party with more than 83,000 euros, the People and Justice Union (Centrists, Nationalists) with over 73,000 euros.

The Democrats "For Lithuania" received funding under a different article – as a party founded after the last Seimas election but having a political group in the Seimas. The democrats received 176,000 euros.

Compared to the previous six months, the payouts have been adjusted by the results of the municipal election that was held in the spring.

A total of 5.8 million euros are planned in the state budget for political parties that exceeded the 2-percent threshold and they will receive 0.56 euros for each vote in the last parliament, municipal or EP election.

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Presidential election in Lithuania to take place on May 12

VILNIUS, Nov 09, BNS - A presidential election in Lithuania will be held on May 12, the country's parliament decided on Thursday after 119 MPs voted in favor, one vote against and one abstention.

According to the Constitution, the Seimas sets the date for a presidential election.

Last spring, the Seimas also announced that a compulsory referendum on the legalization of multiple citizenship would also be held on May 12.

If the first round of voting fails to elect a new president, the run-off will be held on May 26.

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Taiwanese formin meets with Lithuanian parlt speaker, MPs, discusses relations (expands)

(Updated version: updates throughout)

VILNIUS, Nov 09, BNS – Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu had an unannounced meeting with over a dozen Lithuanian MPs, including Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, at the Seimas in Vilnius on Thursday and discussed ties between Vilnius and Taipei.

Wu arrived in Vilnius as he continues his visit to the Baltic states, hoping to strengthen ties.

On the eve of the visit, Lithuania's leaders and Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said they would not meet with the Taiwanese minister because of the one-China policy and they avoid any hint of recognition of Taiwan, but the Seimas speaker received Wu for a few minutes in her office.

"It is two good friends meeting with each other and sharing all kinds of things about bilateral relations. It was wonderful," Wu told reporters.

Speaking with BNS, Cmilyte-Nielsen, who has recently visited Taiwan herself, said she thanked the minister for the warm welcome she received in Taipei.

"We discussed ways to further step up economic cooperation and support for Ukraine," she said.

Wu also met with members of the parliamentary group for relations with Taiwan. He downplayed the fact that he would not be having official meetings with Lithuanian leaders.

"Lithuania is such a good friend of Taiwan and we want to discuss with whoever people who are interested in working together with us so that the bilateral relations between Taiwan and Lithuania can even be better," he said.

"Frontline democracies"

Wu also met with members of the parliamentary group for relations with Taiwan in Vilnius, and will later participate in a democracy forum.

Speaking to reporters, the Taiwanese minister highlighted similarities between the two countries and called the Baltic states and Taiwan "frontline democracies" who "face the expansion of authoritarianism".

"In this part of the world, it's Russia launching war against Ukraine and also talking about Baltic states as part of the Russian Federation. (...) In the Indo-Pacific, China has also being expanding themselves, pointing that Taiwan is part of China. This is against the will of Taiwanese people," the minister said, adding that he feels the support of Lithuania and other Baltic states.

"We share the same values – freedom, democracy, the protection of human rights and the rule of law. (...) This is unlimited space for us to cooperate with each other and that's my purpose to come to this part of the world to work with each other," Wu said.

Later in the day, Taiwan's top diplomat will participate in the Future of Democracy Forum organized by the Institute of International Relations and Political Science at Vilnius University and the Foreign Ministry.

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Taiwanese formin meets with Lithuanian parlt speaker, MPs, discusses relations (further expands)

(Updated version: updates throughout)

Wu arrived in Vilnius as he continues his visit to the Baltic states, hoping to strengthen ties.

"It is two good friends meeting with each other and sharing all kinds of things about bilateral relations. It was wonderful," Wu told reporters.

Speaking with BNS, Cmilyte-Nielsen, who has recently visited Taiwan herself, thanked the minister for the warm welcome she received in Taipei.

"We discussed ways to further step up economic cooperation and support for Ukraine," she said.
Wu also met with members of the parliamentary group for relations with Taiwan.

Wu downplayed the fact that we would not be having official meetings with Lithuanian leaders.

"Frontline democracies"

Wu also met with members of the parliamentary group for relations with Taiwan in Vilnius, and will later participate in a democracy forum.

This is the first time a Taiwanese foreign minister visits the Baltic states.

Lithuania as Taiwan's gateway to the EU

Lithuania has the most advanced relations with Taiwan among all the Baltic countries as Vilnius allowed Taipei to open a Taiwanese representative office in the Lithuanian capital in 2021.

This move angered China and Beijing restricted relations with Vilnius and blocked Lithuanian exports and imports, forcing the EU to appeal to the World Trade Organization early last year.

Lithuania expects high-tech business investment from Taiwan. So far, the most notable example of the intensified bilateral relations is Teltonika's cooperation agreement with Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to share semiconductor technology.

Wu says Lithuanian businesses, including laser developers, can become part of Taiwan's semiconductor production and supply chains.

"TMSC is making an investment in Germany. Of course, it is not just that investment in Germany, we hope that we can bring lots of countries, lots of industries together to form that ecosystem and, of course, Lithuania will have advantage in that area," the Taiwanese minister said.

Matas Maldeikis, chair of the parliamentary group of relations with Taiwan, says Lithuania wants to be part of the chip ecosystem because "it is part of our economic growth".

"We want to be a place through which Taiwan can discover the EU market," the MP told reporters after the group's meeting with Wu.

For his part, Zygimantas Pavilionis, chair of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs, said they discussed support for Kyiv as it’s fighting against Russian invasion: "We asked for their help for further support in Ukraine".

Tallinn has announced that it will allow Taiwan to open a non-diplomatic Taipei representative office in the country to boost economic and cultural ties with the self-ruled island, but pledges to maintain the "one China" principle in political relations.

Wu says negotiations on the representative office will take time but he hopes it will eventually be opened and that relations will be mutually beneficial.

Asked whether he would seek to have Taiwan mentioned in the name of the mission, the minister said: "It is a topic that needs to be negotiated and this is just the beginning of negotiations. I won't be able to go into details".

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European, African officials, UN, OSCE reps to attend Future of Democracy Forum in Vilnius

VILNIUS, Nov 09, BNS – Vilnius is hosting a Future of Democracy Forum, organized by the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry and the Institute of International Relations and Political Science at Vilnius University, which will be attended by officials from European and African countries as well as representatives of international organizations.

They include Belarusian opposition activist Sviatlana Tsichanouskaya, Daw Zin Mar Aung, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the National Unity Government of Myanmar, Jan Lipavsky, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, and Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release on Thursday.

The event will also be attended by special rapporteurs of the United Nations, representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and prominent democracy advocates.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, who is visiting Vilnius, will also attend the forum.

Participants are expected to come from nearly fifty countries representing different regions of the world. The Forum will also be joined by a dozen participants of the World Liberty Congress, which took place in Vilnius just before the Future of Democracy Forum and which brought together over 300 democracy activists this year.

The Forum will be held under the international Chatham House Rule.

"Today we are living in a period of many parallel crises. The war in Ukraine, the violence in the Middle East, the tensions in the South Caucasus or in the Indo-Pacific region. In such dynamic circumstances, we must not lose sight of the need to preserve and further develop democracy as the most precious and important part of our political heritage," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said.

"Lithuania has a reputation as a haven for democratic forces. This is the foundation on which our own nation is built. These are the values we believe in and are committed to. That is why building a united community of democracies, mobilizing and coordinating our actions is more important than ever," he added.

The Forum will discuss how to empower democracy activists, human rights defenders and independent journalists, both inside and outside their own countries, and how to protect them from repression by authoritarian regimes.

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Migration Department revokes ex-Yedinstvo leader’s permanent residence permit in Lithuania

VILNIUS, Nov 09, BNS – The Migration Department has revoked the permanent residence permit in Lithuania of Valery Ivanov, the former leader of the pro-Soviet organization Yedinstvo.

"The Migration Department confirms that Russian citizen Valery Ivanov has had his permanent residence permit in Lithuania revoked. This decision was taken after the Migration Department carried out an investigation, analyzed publicly available information and received additional information from the country's responsible institutions – the State Security Department, the Police Department, the State Border Guard Service," the Migration Department said in comments sent to BNS on Thursday.

The decision was sent to Ivanov on Wednesday and can be appealed within 14 days.

LNK TV News was the first to break this news.

"When the court agrees that I have to leave Lithuania, my homeland, then I will have to consider this issue somehow", Ivanov told LNK.

In late September, Lithuanian prosecutors notified the former leader of Yedinstvo of suspicions raised against him regarding public approval of international and Soviet crimes against Lithuania as well as regarding assisting another state to act against Lithuania.

According to the Migration Department, even if the decision to revoke Ivanov's permit were to become final before the end of the criminal proceedings, he would be obliged to stay in Lithuania while the proceedings continue and he would be subject to detention measures.

However, he would be obliged to leave after the end of the trial and the entry into force of the decision.

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Ecofin: Lithuania to receive EUR 1.75 b in European loans, grants

VILNIUS, Nov 09, BNS - The EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council in Brussels on Thursday approved an updated economic recovery plan "New Generation Lithuania", which provides for 1.75 billion euros of new investments, most of which will be loans.

"The Ecofin decision is the final one for Lithuania's access to concessional European loans.

Lithuanian Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste says 1 billion euros will be allocated for business loans and other financial instruments, and more than 550 million euros will be provided in loans for electricity generation from renewable sources. A further 198.4 million euros will come as a grant from the RepowerEU initiative, the Finance Ministry said.

"We expect the first funds to reach the economy as early as the end of this year," the minister was quoted as saying in the statement.

After a fierce debate, on October 30, the Lithuanian government approved the updated plan agreed with the European Commission, despite differences with Brussels over the postponement of the tax reform deadlines for Lithuania when the Commission did not take into account the government's request to postpone the deadlines until early 2025.

The new plan adds new investments, including 2.3 billion euros in European grants and 1.55 billion euros in loans.

The delivery of the plan's commitments is linked to the receipt of funds under the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility.

The new investments are expected to boost real GDP growth by 0.97 percent on average, or 492.5 million euros per year, between 2023 and 2027.

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Upcoming events in Lithuania for Friday, November 10, 2023

VILNIUS, Nov 10, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Friday, November 10, 2023:

PRESIDENT Gitanas Nauseda to open the annual Regions' Forum at 9.30 a.m.; to attend the forum's second part at 1 p.m.

FOREIGN MINISTER Gabrielius Landsbergis to meet Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky and hold a press conference after the meeting at 11 a.m.; to attend the Future of Democracy Forum.

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Lithuania supports Armenia's European, democratic orientation

VILNIUS, Nov 09, BNS - Lithuania supports Armenia's European and democratic orientation, Lithuanian Foreign Vice Minister Jonas Survila said in Vilnius on Thursday after meeting with his Armenian counterpart Paruyr Hovhannisyan who came to attend the Future of Democracy Forum.

"Lithuania values Armenia's democratic development and strongly supports the EU's mediation efforts towards a peaceful, sustainable and comprehensive settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict through diplomatic means," Survila said.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Lithuania actively seeks more meaningful and deeper cooperation between the EU and Armenia, as well as the EU support for the strengthening of Armenia's security and resilience, and the implementation of economic diversification.

During the meeting, the Armenian representative briefed Survila on the security situation in the South Caucasus region and the challenges his country is currently facing.

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Nov 10 2023

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