LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN, December 7, 2022

LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

IN THIS ISSUE:

Assembly of Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian parliaments opening in Vilnius
Simonyte becomes member of Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats
Eleven migrants turned away on Lithuania's border with Belarus
EU's 9th sanctions package to include proposals from Poland, Baltics – Vilnius' diplomat
Lithuania reports 554 new COVID-19 cases, 1 death
Ukraine, under Russia's attack, pays price of West's indecision – Lithuanian parlt speaker
Lithuania doubles pace of training Ukrainian troops, to train 1,500 in 2023
EU wants two WTO China panels over Lithuania trade restrictions
Lithuania could now accept around 6,000-8,000 Ukrainian refugees - minister
Ukraine, under Russia's attack, pays price of West's indecision – Lithuanian parlt speaker
Ukraine hopes its NATO membership bid to gain momentum at Vilnius Summit – MP
Lithuania's CNSD backs chair's bid to prevent Russians, Belarusians from owning weapons
Lithuanian formin on EC's WTO request; it's another message to China
Poland to continue to support transfer of Patriot missiles to Ukraine – Senate speaker
Sacked Lithuanian MP Majauskas to run for Vilnius mayor
Lithuanian, Polish, Ukrainian parlt speakers call for increased support for Kyiv
US to step up military presence in Baltics – embassy
US set to step up military presence in Baltics – embassy (expands)
EUR 125 mln of RRF funding for Lithuania moved from grants to loans
Lithuanian president, Ukrainian Rada chairman talk war course, support
Upcoming events in Lithuania for Thursday, December 8, 2022

Assembly of Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian parliaments opening in Vilnius

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS – The 12th session of the Assembly of the Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian parliaments is getting underway in Vilnius on Wednesday.

"At this difficult time for Ukraine and Europe, it's particularly important to coordinate action, for the Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian parliaments to cooperate closely and to pool international support," Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, speaker of the Lithuanian parliament, has said.

The opening of the session is also to be attended by Ruslan Stefanchuk, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and Tomasz Grodzki, marshal of the Polish Senate.

The Assembly will also hold committee meetings on Wednesday.

Established in the Ukrainian city of Lutsk in 2005, the trilateral Assembly is a consultative inter-parliamentary body that discusses issues and projects of common interest. Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania take turns hosting its sessions.

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Simonyte becomes member of Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS – Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte on Tuesday became a member of the ruling conservative Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats, Martynas Prievelis, the party's executive secretary, has confirmed.

"Yes, Ingrida Simonyte became a member of our party today," he told BNS on Tuesday evening. "She joined our party's Naujoji Vilnia branch."

The Homeland Union expects that the prime minister's move will encourage other people to join the party, according to Prievelis.

Simonyte served as finance minister in the Cabinet of conservative Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius in 2009 to 2012, and was elected on the Homeland Union's ticket to the parliament in 2016.

Simonyte ran for president as the Homeland Union's candidate in 2019. She led the party's list in the last parliamentary election in 2020 and was appointed as prime minister after the conservatives' victory.

By Austėja Masiokaitė-Liubinienė

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Eleven migrants turned away on Lithuania's border with Belarus

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS – Lithuanian border guards have in the past 24 hours turned away elven migrants attempting to cross into the country from Belarus illegally, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) said on Wednesday morning.

Latvia recorded twelve attempts to cross the border illegally on Tuesday, and Polish border guards denied entry to 57 irregular migrants on Monday, according to the latest available information.

The daily number of migrants refused entry to Lithuania reached this year's high of 135 on September 20, nine fewer than the highest-ever number recorded on November 12, 2021.

A total of around 10,900 irregular migrants have been prevented from entering Lithuania since January.

Lithuanian border guards have sent almost 19,000 people back to Belarus since August 3, 2021, when they were given the right to deny entry to irregular migrants. The number includes repeated attempts by the same people to cross the border.

The SBGS says that illegal migration to Lithuania and the EU is being facilitated by Belarusian officials.

Almost 4,200 irregular migrants crossed into Lithuania from Belarus illegally last year.

Lithuania calls the unprecedented influx of migrants from Belarus, which began more than a year ago, a "hybrid attack" by the Minsk regime.

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EU's 9th sanctions package to include proposals from Poland, Baltics – Vilnius' diplomat

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS – The European Union's ninth package of sanctions against Russia will include a number of proposals from Poland and the Baltic states, Arnoldas Pranckevicius, Lithuania's ambassador to the EU, said on Wednesday.

"A considerable number of the ideas that will appear in the ninth package are taken from the joint Polish-Baltic non-paper, our proposals, and a considerable number of our ideas will be reflected there," he told LRT Radio.

EU ambassadors will discuss the sanctions package at a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives in the European Union, or COREPER, later on Wednesday.

The new sanctions package is expected to include measures in the areas of technology and finance, and the fight against disinformation, as well as "at least a couple of hundred" new individuals and companies responsible for war crimes in Ukraine, according to Pranckevicius.

"We believe that there are still a number of actors, especially from the military structures and the military industry, the political elite, propagandists, law enforcement, oligarchs and their family members, who aren't yet on the sanctions lists," he said.

The Lithuanian ambassador also expects new Russian TV channels and banks to be included in the ninth package.

"Also, there'll probably be a number of new export restrictions, economic measures, sectoral sanctions and expanded technology lists," he said.

The ambassador added, however, that the sanctions will likely be milder than sought by Lithuania, which is among the EU's most hardline supporters of restrictions.

"We belong to the so-called group of sanctions hawks, so dubbed by the Brussels media because we, together with Poland, are in favor of the toughest sanctions," Pranckevicius said.

"Naturally, the average of the 27 countries will always be lower than our expectations, so there can't be a package of sanctions that would fully satisfy Lithuania," he added.

The EU has already adopted eight sanctions packages against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

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Lithuania reports 554 new COVID-19 cases, 1 death

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS – Lithuania has recorded 554 new coronavirus infections and one death from COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, official statistics showed on Wednesday morning.

Of the new cases, 391 were primary, 148 were secondary and 14 were tertiary.

The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 now stands at 159, including six ICU cases.

The 14-day primary infection rate has risen further to 183.8 cases per 100,000 people, but the seven-day percentage of positive tests has edged down to 19.6 percent.

The daily number of new coronavirus cases remains well below the peak of over 14,000 reached in early February.

More than 1.2 million people in Lithuania have tested positive with COVID-19 at least once.

Some 70 percent of the Lithuanian population have received at least one coronavirus vaccine jab so far.

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Ukraine, under Russia's attack, pays price of West's indecision – Lithuanian parlt speaker

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS – Ukraine, which has been fighting back against Russia's invasion since late February, is partly paying the price of the West's indecision, Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, speaker of the Seimas, said as she opened the 12th session of the Assembly of the Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian parliaments in Vilnius on Wednesday.

Russia's "brutal" war against Ukraine, in its tenth month now, "was not unexpected for us, the countries of the region, which have bitter historical experience and see phenomena or events as they are and not as we would like to see them", she said.

She noted that in a joint document adopted at the Assembly's session a year ago, the three countries' parliamentarians called on the EU, NATO and other allies, as well as the international community, to take all possible measures to prevent Russia's further aggression against Ukraine.

"Unfortunately, our call to take all measures was not properly heard, and today, partly because of the international community's indecision, Ukrainian people are dying, and Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure are being destroyed," Cmilyte-Nielsen said.

"The price of this indecision and appeasement is being paid not only by Ukraine, but also by a large part of the international community," she added.

Ruslan Stefanchuk, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and Tomasz Grodzki, marshal of the Polish Senate, are also taking part in the opening of the session.

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Lithuania doubles pace of training Ukrainian troops, to train 1,500 in 2023

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS – Lithuania's Ministry of National Defense and the army are doubling the scope of training courses for Ukrainian soldiers, the ministry said on Wednesday.

"About 500 Ukrainian troops have already been trained during the courses organized by the Ministry of National Defense and the Lithuanian army in 2022. To strengthen the country's resilience as soon as possible, the training pace will be doubled and the Lithuanian army will train some 1,500 Ukrainian troops, including 1,100 in Lithuania, in 2023," the statement reads.

The knowledge gained during the training will help Ukraine to counter Russian military aggression and continue troop training in the long term, the ministry said.

National Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas says Lithuania will continue to support Ukraine in every possible way, as much as needed, "until the end of the war started by Russia".

According to the ministry, Lithuanian military instructors have trained Ukrainian troops during 18 different courses this year.

Some of the training planned for 2023 in Lithuania will be part of the newly established Military Assistance Mission of the European Union to support Ukraine (EUMAM for Ukraine). A total of around 15,000 Ukrainian troops are set to be trained in the territories of EU member states, the ministry said.

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EU wants two WTO China panels over Lithuania trade restrictions

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS - The EU has on Wednesday asked the World Trade Organization to set up two panels as part of its ongoing trade disputes with China. One concerns the legality of the trade restrictions that China has had in place against Lithuanian exports and EU exports containing Lithuanian content since December 2021, the European Commission said.

The other concerns the legality of China restricting EU holders of high-tech patents from accessing EU courts to effectively protect and enforce their rights.

"Our preference was to solve these two significant and systemic cases in a consultation process and we have invested a considerable amount of time in doing so. However, this was to no avail. We are therefore left with no choice but to request the establishment of these WTO panels," Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis was quoted as saying in the statement.

According to the EC, in both cases, the Chinese measures are highly damaging to European businesses. Furthermore, China's discriminatory measures against Lithuania affect intra-EU trade and intra-EU supply chains and they impact the functioning of the EU internal market.

China's measures reduced trade from Lithuania by 80 percent, the EC said.

The WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) will discuss the EU's request at its next meeting on December 20. China can oppose the establishment of a panel once. If it does so, the EU will renew its request and the panel will be established at the January 30, 2023 meeting of the DSB. Panel proceedings can last up to one and a half years.

Last year, Lithuania allowed Taipei to open a Taiwanese representative office in Vilnius, which angered Beijing and it restricted relations with Vilnius and blocked Lithuanian exports and imports. This led to the European Union turning to the WTO earlier this year.

However, Lithuania's economy and innovation minister has recently said she's confident that Lithuania's trade with China would recover, adding that it depended on Beijing. She hoped that the EU's common trade policy and the block's WTO case would accelerate the process.

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Lithuania could now accept around 6,000-8,000 Ukrainian refugees - minister

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS - Lithuania could now take in around 6,000-8,000 Ukrainians as Europe gears up for a new wave of war refugees from Ukraine, says Lithuanian Social Security and Labor Minister Monika Navickiene.

If the number of incoming Ukrainians were higher, Lithuania could accept up to 30,000 people, she said.

"We think that we would be ready to receive about 6,000 to 8,000 people right now, if they were to cross the Lithuanian border (...), because certain schools and other buildings that are not being used by municipalities are ready and they are adapted and equipped. Equally, the refugee reception center itself has a much lower number of people, so we are ready," Navickiene told reporters on Wednesday.

In her words, in case of higher demand and if more accommodation places are added, it would be possible to accommodate about 30,000 people "in a rather short period of time".

"A total of about 30,000. Such capacity would probably also include the arenas we could quickly adapt to accommodate war refugees," Navickiene said. "If more of them arrived, it would certainly be more problematic to accommodate them all."

The latest figures from the Ministry of Social Security and Labor show that more than 71,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Lithuania so far. Some 100 refugees are currently arriving in Lithuania per week, the minister said.

By Giedrius Gaidamavičius

Editor: Roma Pakėnienė

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Ukraine, under Russia's attack, pays price of West's indecision – Lithuanian parlt speaker

"The price of this indecision and appeasement is being paid not only by Ukraine, but also by a large part of the international community," she added.

The speaker of the Seimas said she expects that Ukraine will be able to host the Assembly's session next year.

"The trilateral cooperation between Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine is an organic effort of all three nations to create the future of the region by building on historical and cultural commonalities," Cmilyte-Nielsen said.

"This format of cooperation, which has acquired the name of the Lublin Triangle, unlocks the potential of our three countries, brings us even closer together and creates added value for each country individually," she added.

'Have no illusions about Russia'

Ruslan Stefanchuk, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and Tomasz Grodzki, marshal of the Polish Senate, also took part in the opening of the session.

According to Grodzki, the Assembly's discussions will focus on "support for the heroic Ukrainian people" and regional security in a broader sense.

"We represent nations that have experienced the atrocities of war and know the price of peace, so we understand the importance of not being alone in the fight for sovereignty," he said.

In the marshal's words, present-day Russia is repeating "Stalinist models", but today Europe is more united and not indifferent to the Ukrainian people.

Grodzki warned that the war could be protracted and that Russia will use it as a tool for global destabilization.

"(There is) the European order that we have been building since the collapse of the Soviet Union and they are trying to take us back to the Cold War. In this situation, any hope of a return to cooperation between the West and Russia is an illusion," the marshal of the Senate said.

"A policy based on illusion will never work," he added.

'You need no explanation'

Stefanchuk said that Poland and Lithuania are the countries that best understand the current situation.

"You are the ones who understand the reality best; you are the ones to whom you do not need to explain anything; you are the ones with whom you just have to think together and reflect on the plans for the future," the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada said.

"You have always believed and continue to believe in Ukraine; you are doing everything you can to help Ukraine win," he said.

The world was looking at the situation through "rose-tinted glasses" and was very late to react to the threats from Russia, according to Stefanchuk.

"Now everybody understands what the Kremlin regime is and what can be expected from the Russian Federation in the future," the speaker of the Ukrainian parliament said. "Now is the time to react adequately and to take steps to inspire other European nations and other European parliaments to fight for democratic values and common ideals."

"I want to assure you that we will not only win, but we will also rebuild Ukraine as a European state," he added.

He said that his country needs air defense systems, help in restoring its energy infrastructure, and financial assistance.

Ukraine has the initiative on the front line, despite the "terrorist shelling by Russia", and it is not losing its humanity and is helping others even while defending itself against aggression, according to Stefanchuk.

"We understand that hunger cannot be a weapon and, as a responsible country, we will do our utmost to ensure global food security," he said.

By Austėja Masiokaitė-Liubinienė

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Ukraine hopes its NATO membership bid to gain momentum at Vilnius Summit – MP

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS - Ukraine hopes its NATO membership bid will gain momentum at the NATO summit in Vilnius met year, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Kuznetsov said.

Speaking at the 12th session of the Assembly of the Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian parliaments in Vilnius on Wednesday, he urged the West to now start planning the post-war situation and to ensure support for Ukraine's accession to NATO.

"The NATO summit in Vilnius will be key here as we expect a lot from this meeting. We believe the summit will not only help to identify the next deterrence steps, but also to increase available funds to accelerate Ukraine's accession to NATO and to ensure a lasting peace", said the chairman of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada's Subcommittee on De-occupation and Reintegration.

"Ukraine's accession to NATO is not only a state policy goal, but also a security policy instrument," he stressed.

He also stressed at the meeting of the Assembly's Committee on Cooperation on Security Matters that Russia is using "terrorist tactics" to attack Ukraine's civil and energy infrastructure, adding that Russia "must be left with no chance to win" and that the West should not slow down the pace of its military assistance to ensure its own security.

The politician exceptionally thanked Poland and Lithuania for their military and humanitarian support. He pointed out that Lithuania's support so far is valued at 187 million euros, and that Ukraine is supported not only with military equipment, but also through joint military exercises as Lithuanian instructors are training Ukrainian troops.

Ukraine applied for accelerated accession to NATO in September.

Last week, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reaffirmed the Alliance's commitment to Ukraine and said that the country would one day become a member of the world's largest security organization, adding, however, that the chances of this happening in the near future are dim.

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Lithuania's CNSD backs chair's bid to prevent Russians, Belarusians from owning weapons

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS – Lithuania's Committee on National Security and Defense has backed its chairman Laurynas Kasciunas' proposal to prevent Russian and Belarusian citizens from owning guns in Lithuania.

"I have no doubt this will make us safer," Kasciunas told the CNSD sitting on Wednesday

In his words, the changes are necessary to prevent the formation of diversion groups in Lithuania in the event of unrest.

Under his proposed amendments to the existing Law on Control of Weapons and Ammunition, permanent residents of Lithuania who are not citizens of countries that meet the criteria of European and transatlantic integration chosen by Lithuania would be prohibited from acquiring and possessing weapons in Lithuania.

People who already possess such weapons would have to give them up within one year of the law's entry into force by selling them, converting them or handing them over to the police, and their weapon permits would be revoked. Failure to do so would result in confiscation.

This proposal is part of broader amendments to the Law on Control of Weapons and Ammunition that are yet to be adopted during two votes in the Lithuanian Seimas.

Some MPs suggested exemptions for Russian opposition figures and dissidents.

Social Democrat Dovile Sakaliene backed the proposal on the condition that safeguards would be put in place in the future "to avoid run everyone who does not pose any problem over with one steamroller".

Meanwhile, Saulius Skvernelis, leader of the Democrats "For Lithuania", called for temporary confiscation of weapons from Russian and Belarusian citizens. "Wouldn't it make sense to temporarily take away these weapons? And then – after two or three years – they could get their weapons back," the politician said.

Kasciunas, however, called for a principled decision that could be changed later, if necessary.

There are currently 294 Russian and 46 Belarusian citizens in Lithuania who have permits to keep or carry weapons, Kasciunas said.

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Lithuanian formin on EC's WTO request; it's another message to China

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has welcomed the European Union’s request to set up a WTO panel over China's economic coercion against Lithuania, saying that it’s another message to China that the EU would defend its member states from this country's economic coercion

"We welcome the European Commission’s decision on behalf of the EU to request the WTO to establish a panel. This step sends another message to China: the EU will defend the single market and EU member states by all means are against China’s politically motivated economic coercion," Landsbergis was quoted as saying in a statement released by his ministry of Wednesday.

The minister also stressed that Lithuania wants constructive relations with China, adding, however, that China’s systematic violations of international trade rules and legitimate business interests can not be tolerated.

Landsbergis noted that China had already had the opportunity to resolve the dispute during the WTO consultations but did not behave constructively. Therefore, establishing a panel was fair and defended the rule-based international trade order.

"Illegal economic pressure, even if against just one EU Member State, must be seen as an attack on the whole of the Union. Thus, the EU will protect its rights and use every possibility offered by international law," the Lithuanian foreign minister said.

Earlier in the day, the EU asked the World Trade Organization to set up two panels as part of its ongoing trade disputes with China. One concerns the legality of the trade restrictions that China has had in place against Lithuanian exports and EU exports containing Lithuanian content since December 2021, the European Commission said.

The other concerns the legality of China restricting EU holders of high-tech patents from accessing EU courts to effectively protect and enforce their rights.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the WTO Dispute Settlement Body will consider the request to establish a panel on 20 December. China has the right to oppose the first request, in which case the decision on the establishment of a panel would be taken at a meeting due to take place on January 30, 2023.

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Poland to continue to support transfer of Patriot missiles to Ukraine – Senate speaker

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS – Poland will accept Patriot missiles from Germany, but will continue to support their transfer to Ukraine, Tomasz Grodzki, marshal of the Polish Senate, said in Vilnius on Wednesday.

His comment came a day after Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said that Warsaw would accept the missiles from Germany after earlier calling on Berlin to send them to Ukraine instead.

"There was a discussion, which has now ended, and those systems will be in Poland," the marshal said a joint news conference with the Lithuanian and Polish parliamentary speakers in Vilnius.

"However, there is absolutely no doubt that we have committed in bilateral and trilateral talks that we will support the need to send as many Patriot batteries as possible to Ukraine, because Ukraine's air defense is one of the key elements needed to win the war," he said.

Ruslan Stefanchuk, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, said that Russia's war tactics target civilians, which is why "closing the skies is the number one issue for Ukraine".

"We do need modern systems like Patriot; that is a priority," Stefanchuk told the news conference. "We have been taking about this with our colleagues, and (...) at other levels."

"And I will be grateful to those countries that have influence on decisions for Ukraine to receive missile and air defense systems in the near future so as to save as many lives in Ukraine as possible," he said.

Germany offered to deploy the advanced US-made Patriot system to Poland after a deadly explosion believed to have been caused by a stray Ukrainian air defense missile killed two people in a Polish village close to the border with Ukraine last month.

However, Poland's authorities asked Berlin to ship the system to Ukraine instead to help the country defend itself against Russian missile strikes.

Germany then said that it would have to discuss with NATO any proposals to send the Patriot system to Ukraine as it was part of the Alliance's integrated defenses. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said, however, that it was up to Germany to decide.

Warsaw maintained that deploying the Patriot missiles in Ukraine would have increased the security of both Poland and its neighbor.

The United States has already deployed Patriot missiles to Poland and Berlin has deployed them to Slovakia.

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Sacked Lithuanian MP Majauskas to run for Vilnius mayor

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS - Mykolas Majauskas, a Lithuanian MP who has recently been expelled from the ruling conservative Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats, announced on Wednesday his plans to run for Vilnius mayor.

"I have decided to run for Vilnius mayor as an independent candidate. I have ideas, energy and I want to devote all my effort to an important cause," the politician posted on Facebook.

He says made the decision "believing that the time has come for people who are not afraid to take personal responsibility".

"Independent from political parties, I will be able to represent all city residents and dedicate all my effort to Vilnius. I invite everyone who supports me and has ideas or proposals for Vilnius to contact me," the politician said.

Majauskas was expelled from the HU-LCD party last week for supporting a proposal, not pre-agreed with the government, to extend VAT relief for the catering sector for the whole year of 2023.

On Tuesday, Majauskas said he was stepping down as chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Budget and Finance.

Other candidates for Vilnius mayor include MP Tomas Vytautas Raskevicius (the Freedom Party), Valdas Benkunskas (the HU-LCD), MP Rasa Budbergyte (the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania), Lukas Savickas (Democrats "For Lithuania"), MEP Stasys Jakeliunsa (the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union), ex-Vilnius Mayor Arturas Zuokas (the Freedom and Justice Party), and ex-Lithuanian army chief Valdas Tutkus (the Lithuanian Regions Party).

Lithuanian cities will elect their local councils and mayors in the spring of 2023.

By Augustas Stankevičius

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Lithuanian, Polish, Ukrainian parlt speakers call for increased support for Kyiv

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS – In a declaration signed in Vilnius on Wednesday, the Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian parliamentary speakers call for the West's increased support for Kyiv in its fight against Russia's military aggression and for an assessment of the legitimacy of Moscow's membership of the United Nations.

"As we gathered in the Lublin format in Vilnius today, we reaffirmed our important cooperation between the countries of the Triangle, which is particularly important for our region at this critical time, and signed a joint declaration reflecting our common aspirations to help Ukraine (...) defend itself against Russia's bloody aggression, to ensure that those guilty of war crimes receive a just retribution, and to secure Ukraine's transatlantic integration and its future," Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, speaker of the Seimas, said at a news conference.

Ukraine's membership of the European Union and NATO is "the key overarching goal", she said.

The declaration was also signed by Ruslan Stefanchuk, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and Tomasz Grodzki, marshal of the Polish Senate.

Cmilyte-Nielsen said the trilateral cooperation format is "like an icebreaker" that is helping to persuade more skeptical countries to support Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Grodzki said that the formal should be expanded to a "quadrangle" to include Belarusian representatives who "are under very strong pressure" from Alexander Lukashenko's regime.

Stefanchuk thanked his counterparts for their support, underlining the importance of the backing of international partners in resisting aggression.

"Among all international partners, Lithuania and Poland are leaders who help at the political level, at the economic level and at the level of sanctions," he said.

The chairman of the Verkhovna Rada said that reparation to Ukraine for the damage caused by Russia, punishment of those responsible by a tribunal and further Euro-Atlantic integration, as called for in the declaration, are "our way to return to our European home".

The declaration condemns Russia's attempts to annex the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and reiterates the demand for a "full and unconditional" withdrawal of Russia's military forces from the whole of Ukraine.

The document urges the international community to maintain and increase sanctions pressure on Russia to "further significantly reduce the aggressor state's ability to continue its war against Ukraine", and to continue to provide political, economic, financial, humanitarian, military and other assistance to Kyiv.

It also proposes to assess the legitimacy of Russia's membership of the United Nations, in particular its status as a permanent member of the Security Council, and membership of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

"Expelling Russia from all international organizations, wherever possible, is solidarity and Ukraine is grateful for such solidarity," said Stefanchuk.

The parliamentary speakers also underline the "crucial importance" of accelerating the delivery of air defense and anti-missile systems to Ukraine and of urgent international support for the country's energy sector.

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US to step up military presence in Baltics – embassy

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS – The United States is set to further step up its military presence in the Baltic countries and change the status of US forces in Lithuania to "a persistent rotational presence", the US embassy in Vilnius said on Wednesday.

The US battalion has been deployed at the Pabrade training area close to Vilnius since 2019 with longer or shorter breaks between rotations.

Robert Gilchrist, the US ambassador to Lithuania, has informed Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas about the planned troop deployment changes.

"As part of the ongoing commitment to its Baltic Allies, the United States will further enhance the continuous and persistent US military presence in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania," the embassy said in a press release.

"In Lithuania, this initially includes transitioning the episodic deployments of an armored battalion-sized element and field artillery battery to a persistent rotational presence," it said.

By Saulius Jakučionis

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US set to step up military presence in Baltics – embassy (expands)

The US battalion has been deployed at the Pabrade training area close to Vilnius since 2019 with longer or shorter breaks between rotations.

Robert Gilchrist, the US ambassador to Lithuania, has informed Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas about the planned troop deployment changes.

"In Lithuania, this initially includes transitioning the episodic deployments of an armored battalion-sized element and field artillery battery to a persistent rotational presence," it said.

“As President Biden has said, we are committed to defending every inch of NATO territory," Gilchrist said in the press release.

"These US deployments demonstrate this commitment, and while we continue to adapt our force posture in the region, we are committed to maintaining a persistent, heel-to-toe presence in the region and intensifying training with our Baltic Allies to maintain combat credible capabilities and to enhance our defense and deterrence posture," he said.

Anusauskas was quoted as saying in the press release that Lithuania is "committed to providing necessary host nation support".

"US military presence remains a critical part of our deterrence and defense against Russia," he said. "We welcome and strongly support the enhancement of continuous and persistent US military presence in Lithuania."

A company-size unit of around 150 US troops was stationed in Lithuania on a rotational basis in the wake of Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

After three years of company rotations, the US has been deploying battalions more regularly to Lithuania since 2019.

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EUR 125 mln of RRF funding for Lithuania moved from grants to loans

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS – The amount of grants available to Lithuania under the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is being cut by 125 million euros because the economy was less affected by the pandemic, but the government will be able to borrow the same sum of money, Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste said on Wednesday.

"The grant part of the New Generation Lithuania plan was linked to economic indicators," she told reporters. "As the Lithuanian economy was relatively less affected during the pandemic, the grant part earmarked for Lithuania was reduced after the GDP indicators were revised," she said.

However, the 125 million euros will be moved to the loan part of the RRF funding for Lithuania, according to the minister.

"Simply because Lithuania's economy looked quite positive, the amount that reduces the grant part is being transferred to the loan part, which is why the renewed request is being submitted," she said.

It was said earlier that Lithuania would be eligible for up to 3 billion euros in loans and 2.225 billion euros in grants under the RRF.

Last week, Lithuania submitted, with some delay, its request to the European Commission for the first tranche of 565 million euros under the RRF.

By Valdas Pryšmantas

Editor: Roma Pakėnienė

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Lithuanian president, Ukrainian Rada chairman talk war course, support

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS –Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda met with Chairman of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk in Vilnius on Wednesday and discussed the course of Russia's started war in Ukraine.

Nauseda also reiterated Lithuania’s full diplomatic, financial and military support for Ukraine.

"The people of Lithuania know what it is like to live in the neighborhood of an aggressor, they understand the suffering and injustice Ukraine is experiencing. Lithuania fully supports Ukraine, provides and will continue to provide military, humanitarian and financial aid until victory. Ukraine is going through dark times, but the unbreakable spirit, courage and determination of the Ukrainian people is what makes you invincible. Lithuania knows that Ukraine will win," Nauseda told the chairman of the Ukrainian parliament.

Nauseda also assured Stefanchuk that Lithuania, together with its allies, would continue to do its utmost to help Ukraine win this war and endure the winter, the presidential press service said.

Nauseda and Stefanchuk discussed the course of Russia’s war in Ukraine noting that Russia’s deliberate targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure in Ukraine is aimed at exhausting Ukraine and spreading chaos and panic in the country. This, Nauseda said, is yet another war crime of the Kremlin’s regime.

The Lithuanian president also stressed the need to hold Russia accountable for its crimes of aggression in Ukraine and expressed Lithuania’s strong support for Ukraine’s initiative to set up a special tribunal to investigate Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine.

The Lithuanian leader stressed that Russia’s "peace talks" would only give Russia the opportunity to regroup and strengthen its military capabilities instead of actually bringing peace. According to the President, the war will only end when Russia withdraws all its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine.

"President Gitanas Nauseda also reiterated Lithuania’s strong support for Ukraine’s EU membership aspirations, and stressed that Lithuania was in favor of an early opening of the negotiations and a smooth negotiation process," the statement reads.

The meeting also discussed the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius in 2023, where political cooperation between NATO and Ukraine will be one of the key issues on the agenda.

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Upcoming events in Lithuania for Thursday, December 8, 2022

VILNIUS, Dec 07, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Thursday, December 8, 2022:

SPEAKER OF THE SEIMAS Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen to appear on Ryto Garsai on the public television LRT at 8.05 a.m.; to attend a meeting of the Conference of Chairs at 8.30 a.m.; to attend a meeting of the Liberal Movement political group in the Seimas at 9 a.m.; to chair the Seimas' morning sitting at 10 a.m.; to attend the opening of a photo exhibition on motherhood during wartime at 1 p.m.; to chair the Seimas' afternoon sitting at 2 p.m.

JUSTICE MINISTERA Ewelina Dobrowolska to attend a meeting of EU justice and home affairs ministers in Brussels.

FOREIGN MINISTER Gabrielius Landsbergis to pay a working visit to Austria.

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Dec 12 2022

LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

IN THIS ISSUE:

Zelensky awarded Lithuania's 2022 Freedom Prize
Upcoming events in Lithuania for Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Lithuanian parlt to be addressed by Stefanchuk, to vote on Freedom Prize for Zelensky
Lithuanian PM, Pennsylvania National Guard commander discuss further cooperation
Dismantling of Soviet sculptures starts at Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius (updates)
Lithuanian president to attend EU-Western Balkans summit in Tirana
Lithuania reports 860 new COVID-19 cases, 2 deaths
US envoy welcomes Lithuanian govt's Jewish private property restitution proposal
No talks with Moscow possible in current situation – Lithuanian adviser
You started fighting Russian totalitarianism, we're finishing it – Stefanchuk in Vilnius
Lithuania's support to Ukraine totals EUR 660 mln, including EUR 240 mln in military aid
Ex-Lithuanian PM Slezevicius dies
Vilnius starts dismantling Soviet sculptures despite UN committee warnings (updates)
EU to fund up to 85 pct of Rail Baltica key for regional defense – Trautmann
Ban on oil shipments via Lithuania to Kaliningrad takes effect (corrects)
Kazakhstan needs Europe, EU needs Kazakhstan – Lithuania's Landsbergis
No-confidence motion against Lithuanian MP Majauskas fails as ruling bloc snubs vote
Majauskas steps down as chair of Lithuanian parlt budget committee
Lithuanian supreme court rejects ex-judge Venckiene's appeal
We count on Western Balkan countries to back EU foreign policy – Lithuania's Nauseda
We count on Western Balkan countries to back EU foreign policy – Lithuania's Nauseda (expands)
TV Rain won’t be accessible in Lithuania as well after losing Latvian license
Mayor of Lithuania's Siauliai suspected of abuse of office
Russian Embassy calls removal of Soviet sculptures in Vilnius "barbaric mockery"

Zelensky awarded Lithuania's 2022 Freedom Prize

VILNIUS, Dec 05, BNS – Lithuania has awarded this year's Freedom Prize to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as his country is fighting Russia's invasion.

"Today, Ukraine is a European democracy forced to fight for the survival of its territory, culture and people, as well as for the freedom of all of us. That is why the Freedom Prize Commission has proposed awarding this year's Freedom Prize to the president of Ukraine for his and the entire Ukrainian nation's merits in their struggle for independence, freedom and democracy in the face of Russia's military aggression," Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen said on Tuesday.

"As Ukraine's president, he has been at the forefront of this fight for freedom, inspiring millions of people in Ukraine through his personal leadership and example to resist and not to surrender, and having also united the entire global community against the criminal Putin regime," she said.

113 Lithuanian lawmakers voted in favor of the decision on Tuesday, with no votes against or abstentions.

The Freedom Prize was established by the Lithuanian parliament in 2011 to honor "individuals and organizations for their achievements in and contribution to the defense of human rights, development of democracy, and promotion of international cooperation for the cause of self-determination and sovereignty of the nations in Eastern and Central Europe".

The prize, which amounts to 5,000 euros, is presented every year on January 13, when Lithuania marks the Day of the Defenders of Freedom.

The first Freedom Prize was awarded in 2011 to Sergei Kovalev, a Russian fighter for freedom and democracy and defender of human rights.

The list of awardees also includes Antanas Terleckas, a former political prisoner and founder of the political organization Lithuanian Freedom League; Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevicius, the founder and editor of the underground Chronicle of the Catholic Church in Lithuania; Adam Michnik, a Polish dissident and editor-in-chief of the daily Gazeta Wyborcza; former Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus; Lithuania's first post-independence leader Vytautas Landsbergis; dissident nun Nijole Sadunaite; seven partisans who fought against Soviet occupation – Jonas Ceponis, Jonas Kadzionis, Juozas Jakavonis, Bronislavas Juospaitis, Vytautas Balsys, Jonas Abukauskas and Juozas Mocys, and Albinas Kentra, a chronicler of the Lithuanian Atgimimas (Revival) movement.

The award went to Belarus' democratic opposition in 2020 and to three contributors to the Soviet-era underground Chronicle of the Catholic Church in Lithuania – Gerarda Suliauskaite, Bernadeta Maliskaite and Jonas Boruta – in 2021.

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Upcoming events in Lithuania for Tuesday, December 6, 2022

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Tuesday, December 6, 2022:

PRSIDENT Gitanas Nauseda to pay a working visit to Tirana, Albania, to attend the EU-Western Balkans Summit.

SPEAKER OF THE SEIMAS Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen to meet with Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk at 9.30 a.m.; to attend a meeting of the Presidium of the Assembly of the Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian parliaments at 6 p.m.; to attend a virtual meeting with Robert Kelly Menendez, chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee., at 7 p.m.

PRIME MINISTER Ingrida Simonyte to continue her working visit to the US.

FOREIGN MINISTER Gabrielius Landsbergis to pay a working visit to Kazakhstan.

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Lithuanian parlt to be addressed by Stefanchuk, to vote on Freedom Prize for Zelensky

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – Ruslan Stefanchuk, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, is expected to address the Lithuanian parliament as part of his visit to Vilnius on Tuesday.

The Seimas is also scheduled to vote on Tuesday on awarding Lithuania's 2022 Freedom Prize to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Paule Kuzmickiene, chairwoman of the parliamentary commission that has nominated Zelensky for this year's Freedom Prize, has said that Ukraine's struggle for freedom "is world history in the making" and that its president "has taken on the heavy burden of leading this struggle".

The Freedom Prize would be a token of both gratitude and support for Zelensky, whose country has been fighting against Russia's invasion for more than nine months now, according to the MP.

The prize is planned to be presented to the Ukrainian president on the Day of the Defenders of Freedom on January 13, 2023.

Stefanchuk is in Vilnius for the 12th session of the Assembly of the Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian parliaments. He is the highest-ranking Ukrainian official to visit Lithuania since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Tomasz Grodzki, marshal of the Polish Senate, is also expected to take part in the session.

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Lithuanian PM, Pennsylvania National Guard commander discuss further cooperation

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, on a working visit to the United States, met with Major General Mark J. Schindler, adjutant general of the Pennsylvania National Guard (PANG), to discuss further cooperation between the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the PANG.

"The prime minister underlined that "Lithuania highly appreciates the presence of US troops in the region thus enhancing its security, which is especially important at this time, when Russia continues waging its brutal war in Ukraine and terrorizing its civilians," the government said in a press release on Tuesday.

"At the same time, Lithuania is investing in improving the host country's infrastructure and its own defense capabilities."

Simonyte and Schindler also discussed the PANG's "contribution to the improvement of Lithuania's military capabilities by training specialists, participating in joint trainings and exercises, and cooperating in the field of cyber security".

"I hope that next year, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the partnership between Lithuania and the Pennsylvania National Guard, we will continue and expand this active and mutually beneficial cooperation," the prime minister said.

The Lithuanian Armed Forces and the PANG have been cooperating since 1993, and participated together in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2012.

Cooperation is also taking place in the areas of improving military infrastructure and training special operations forces in Lithuania, according to the press release.

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Dismantling of Soviet sculptures starts at Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius (updates)

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS - Workers are starting to dismantle the monument to Soviet World War Two soldiers at Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius on Tuesday.

Vilnius' municipality has said that the granite statues of Soviet soldiers will be carefully removed to avoid damaging them, with the work expected to be completed within a few weeks.

Lithuania's Justice Ministry said last month that the UN Human Rights Committee had upheld interim measures for the protection of the Soviet sculptures at Antakalnis Cemetery, thus formally preventing the Vilnius authorities from removing them for the time being.

The decision was made in response to a request from several individuals calling themselves "ethnic Russians", including Kazimieras Juraitis, who is also involved in the controversial case of the International Forum of Good Neighborhood, an association founded by Algirdas Paleckis, as well as by Dmitrij Glazkov, Tatiana Brandt and Anastasija Brandt.

However, the sculptures will be removed despite the UN committee's decision.

The Justice Ministry and municipal officials say that the committee was misled by the arguments of the petitioners who claim that the Soviet-era monument will be desecrated and the nearby remains reburied. However, there is no intention to do so, according to the authorities.

The municipality is planning to hand the removed sculptures over to the National Museum of Lithuania.

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Lithuanian president to attend EU-Western Balkans summit in Tirana

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Tuesday is leaving for Albania's capital of Tirana to take part in a summit between EU and Western Balkan leaders.

The meeting is also to be attended by representatives from the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank and the Regional Cooperation Council.

"The focus will be on strengthening political and economic cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkans, enhancing joint resilience and security in the context of Russia's war in Ukraine, in particular in the fight against cyber and hybrid threats," Nauseda's office said in a press release on Monday.

The leaders will also discuss the management of illegal migration flows, the fight against terrorism and the prospects for the Western Balkans' European integration, it said.

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Lithuania reports 860 new COVID-19 cases, 2 deaths

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – Lithuania has recorded 860 new coronavirus infections and two deaths from COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, official statistics showed on Tuesday morning.

Of the new cases, 644 were primary, 199 were secondary and 17 were tertiary.

The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 now stands at 156, including eight ICU cases.

The 14-day primary infection rate has risen further to 174.3 cases per 100,000 people, but the seven-day percentage of positive tests has edged down to 20.2 percent.

he daily number of new coronavirus cases remains well below the peak of over 14,000 reached in early February.

More than 1.2 million people in Lithuania have tested positive with COVID-19 at least once.

Some 70 percent of the Lithuanian population have received at least one coronavirus vaccine jab so far.

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US envoy welcomes Lithuanian govt's Jewish private property restitution proposal

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – Ellen Germain, special envoy for Holocaust issues at the US Department of State, welcomed the Lithuanian government's proposal to compensate Jews for lost private property as she visited Vilnius on Monday, the Foreign Ministry said.

"Germain welcomed the draft law submitted by the Lithuanian government to the Seimas, which aims to address the outstanding issues of the unreturned property of Jewish persons who lived in Lithuania before or during World War Two, stressing that ensuring justice for Holocaust survivors and their heirs is an important issue of human rights and the rule of law," it said in a press release.

The bill calls for transferring 37 million euros to the Good Will Foundation in 2024 to 2030 as compensation for expropriated private Jewish property. The foundation would pay out the money to property owners and their heirs based on the claims received.

Under the existing law adopted in 2011, Lithuania committed itself to paying 37 million euros over a decade in compensation for seized Jewish communal property. The process should be completed by next March.

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No talks with Moscow possible in current situation – Lithuanian adviser

VILNIUS, Dec 05, BNS - Asta Skaisgiryte, chief foreign policy adviser to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, says she doesn’t see any possibility to sit down at the negotiating table with Russia right now.

"At the moment, it’s not a situation where we could talk with Moscow. To talk with Moscow, Moscow needs to make certain steps to show that the Kremlin has realized that it made a mistake by getting involved in this war and that it would withdraw its troops from Ukraine in order to rectify it," Skaisgiryte told the Ziniu Radijas news radio on Tuesday.

"Lithuania is, first of all, talking with Ukraine. I cannot see getting back to talks without the change in the existing current circumstances," she noted.

Last Friday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin had their first phone conversation time since mid-September. Scholz's office said the hour-long conversation focused on Russia's war against Ukraine, which has been going on since February, and its consequences.

The German chancellor also called on the Russian president to find a diplomatic solution as soon as possible, including the withdrawal of Russian troops.

"We have to understand that President Gitanas Nauseda said that if we talk about negotiations with Russia, well, peace negotiations, such negotiations can only take place on Ukrainian terms and under the Ukrainian timeframe," the adviser said.

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You started fighting Russian totalitarianism, we're finishing it – Stefanchuk in Vilnius

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS - Lithuania started the fight against Russian totalitarianism three decades ago and Ukraine is now finishing it on the battlefield, Chairman of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk said in Vilnius on Tuesday.

"Once upon a time, you started the fight against Russian totalitarianism and destroyed the Soviet Union, and now we are finishing the fight on the battlefield, literally, defending ourselves against a large-scale, unprovoked armed aggression of Russia against Ukraine," Stefanchuk said at the Lithuanian parliament.

He is the highest-ranking Ukrainian official to visit Lithuania since the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine on February 24. The Ukrainian politician will attend the 12th session of the Assembly of the Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian parliaments in Vilnius.

"By occupying part of Ukraine's territory, by systematically destroying civilian and energy infrastructure, by torturing and killing peaceful Ukrainian citizens, Russia is once again showing the whole world that not only does it not respect the right of peoples to self-determination, not only does it not value human life and freedom, but it threatens its peaceful neighbors every minute of every day. (...) Russia is openly trying to intimidate everyone," the chairman o of the Verkhovna Rada said.

And democracies can respond to this with solidarity, determination and steadfastness, he said.

"We will heroically defend our independence, freedom and peaceful life for ourselves, for Europe and for the whole free world. We will rely on strong international support in this struggle," Stefanchuk said.

He thanked Lithuania for its support and assistance to his country since the very first hours of the Russian invasion.

"We are grateful for your leadership on many pressing issues in the region, for your unwavering and fervent support for freedom and democracy, and for the fact that you are supporting Ukraine and Ukrainians in their honest struggle in these days," the Ukrainian parliament speaker said in Vilnius.

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Lithuania's support to Ukraine totals EUR 660 mln, including EUR 240 mln in military aid

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – Lithuania's total assistance to Ukraine is currently estimated at 660 million euros, including 240 million euros in military aid to the country that is fighting against Russia's aggression, Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said on Tuesday.

"The estimated costs of Lithuania's nationwide assistance to Ukraine, refugees and so on total 660 million and the amount includes about 240 million in military assistance," he told reporters.

The Defense Ministry's budget for 2023 earmarks around 40 million euros for support to Ukraine, with the necessary items to be purchased from Lithuanian producers, according to Anusauskas.

"These are new purchases, primarily from Lithuanian producers (...). From ammunition to optics and all other things that are produced by Lithuanian manufacturers," he said.

The minister said that Lithuania's existing reserves could also be used for military assistance to Ukraine.

"If certain capabilities that we could hand over to the Ukrainians become available as a result of new acquisitions, then decisions will be made," he said.

Another two PzH2000 howitzers repaired in Lithuania have recently been sent to the Ukraine Armed Forces.

Anusauskas said on Monday that Lithuania was sending "155 mm ammunition for the Ukrainian artillery".

However, the Lithuanian Armed Forces told BNS that they could not disclose the quantity of the ammunition.

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Ex-Lithuanian PM Slezevicius dies

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS - Former Lithuanian Prime Minister Adolfas Slezevicius has died on Tuesday at the age of 74, historian and journalist Vilius Kavaliauskas announced on Facebook.

Slezevicius served as Lithuania's prime minister from 1993 to 1996.

Before becoming prime minister, he worked as a lecturer and engineer.

According to the Lithuanian Encyclopedia, Slezevicius was a member of the Communist Party, and later joined the Communist Party of an independent Lithuania. He was then a member ad chairman of the Lithuanian Democratic Labor Party since 1990.

Slezevicius was ousted as prime minister in 1996 after the so-called banking scandal when he withdrew a fixed-term deposit of 135,000 litas one day before the bankruptcy of the Lithuanian Joint-Stock Innovative Bank.

He later worked as a business consultant.

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Vilnius starts dismantling Soviet sculptures despite UN committee warnings (updates)

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – Workers on Tuesday started dismantling the monument to Soviet World War Two soldiers in Vilnius' Antakalnis Cemetery, despite interim measures imposed by the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC).

Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Simasius says he has no doubt that the monument is "a symbol of Soviet ideology that has nothing to do with graves" and that it is being taken down "legitimately and justifiably".

The mayor said that all the necessary permits have been obtained and that the UN committee's findings are not an obstacle to removing the statues.

"I've no doubt that this is the only right decision," he told reporters.

Simasius noted that the UN committee is asking not to dismantle graves, not to remove tombstones and not to destroy heritage, which the municipality is not doing, according to Simasius.

"I'm glad that we don't have to report to the United Nations," the mayor said. "Of course, the country – the government and the Justice Ministry which is representing the country – will naturally have to tell the Human Rights Committee what we are doing."

"The worst thing that can happen is that the United Nations can take the wrong view. But I really believe in common sense. Although, so far, the discussion of the decision there seems strange," he added.

The capital has said that care will be taken not to damage the monument consisting of six granite statues of Soviet soldiers while removing it, with the work expected to be completed within a few weeks.

Lithuania's Justice Ministry said last month that the UNHRC had left its interim measures for the Soviet-era monument in place, thus formally banning Vilnius' authorities from removing it for the time being.

The measures were requested by a group of people calling themselves "ethnic Russians", including Kazimieras Juraitis, who is also involved in the controversial case of the International Forum of Good Neighborhood, an association founded by Algirdas Paleckis, as well as by Dmitrij Glazkov, Tatiana Brandt and Anastasija Brandt.

The municipality is planning to hand the removed sculptures over to the National Museum of Lithuania.

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EU to fund up to 85 pct of Rail Baltica key for regional defense – Trautmann

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS - Catherine Trautmann, the European coordinator of the North-Sea Baltic TEN-T Corridor, says Russia's war in Ukraine has fundamentally changed Rail Baltica's function, making this project important not only for the region's economy but also for its defense.

Therefore, the EC has decided to finance up to 85 percent of the project's costs, she said.

"We need to bring the Baltics and Finland closer to the EU not primarily, but also for military use. Troops and military equipment should be able to travel to EU swiftly to ensure the defense of the EU and NATO. This point becomes relevant as Finland and Sweden are joining NATO," said at the Rail Baltica Industry Day conference in Riga on Tuesday.

Before the war in Ukraine, Rail Baltica was essentially an economic project that also tackled environmental issues, but now it has become important to ensure security and peace, Trautmann said.

"Now the situation has changed: geopolitics are a factor. This is obvious for everybody. The Baltic states and Finland must bee better connected to the rest of the EU not only for development and prosperity, but also for peace and security," Trautmann said.

In her words, being aware of the project's not only economic but also geopolitical importance due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the EU has decided to cover up to 85 percent of the railway project's costs as they have gone up lately.

"This information is probable relevant to our investors and construction companies because it makes a very safe project," the project coordinator said.

Both the project's increased costs and the new connections to Ukraine still need the European Parliament's approval, she said.

Rail Baltica is among the EU's priority projects for the trans-European transport network. Last summer, the EC allocated an additional 357 million euros in funding for the project. The project was earlier reported to cost around 7 billion euros.

Rail Baltica is expected to connect Tallinn, Parnu, Riga, Panevezys, Kaunas, Vilnius and Warsaw from 2026 and include a 392-km section in Lithuania. Passenger trains will be able to travel at speeds of up to 250 km per hour, while freight trains will be able to travel at speeds of up to 120 km per hour.

By Remigijus Bielinskas

Editor: Roma Pakėnienė

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Ban on oil shipments via Lithuania to Kaliningrad takes effect (corrects)

(Corrects para 7 in the Dec 5 news report: PM said sanctions would affect 50 pct of transit)

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – The EU's embargo on most Russian oil imports, announced six months ago, comes into force on Monday.

Depending on the specific commodity code, part of the sanctions take effect on December 5, with the rest to be enforced on February 5, 2023.

Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai (Lithuanian Railways, LTG) says it does not yet have information on Russia's planned shipments of such cargo and what the quotas for these products are.

"Unfortunately, we don't have the information you are interested in yet," LTG Cargo spokeswoman Kotryna Dzikaraite told BNS.

Lina Laurinaityte-Grigiene, spokeswoman for the Lithuanian Customs Department, was also unable to comment on the types and quantities of Russian oil cargoes that will be allowed to be shipped to Russia's Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad via Lithuania.

"The function of the Customs is only to check whether the data declared by the carrier and the actual data about the cargo are correct. We only receive information about the cargo a few hours before it arrives in Lithuania," she told BNS.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said in an interview with Reuters NEXT last week that the sanctions on Russian oil would affect about 50 percent of the cargo transit to Kaliningrad via Lithuania.

The sixth package of sanctions against the Kremlin, which comes into full force on December 5, bans most oil imports from Russia. The embargo does not apply to oil imported by pipeline as a concession to landlocked Hungary.

The ban will also cover Russian fuel imports from February 5.

LTG Cargo, the freight subsidiary of LTG, has said it transported around 2.3 million tons of various cargoes to and from Kaliningrad via Lithuania between January and October this year.

By Remigijus Bielinskas

Editor: Roma Pakėnienė

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Kazakhstan needs Europe, EU needs Kazakhstan – Lithuania's Landsbergis

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, currently in Kazakhstan, has called for strengthening not only bilateral relations, but also EU-Kazakhstan cooperation, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

"Kazakhstan needs Europe and the European Union needs Kazakhstan to develop reliable energy, trade, resource supply, transit and logistics ties," the minister underlined.

He also expressed his support for Kazakhstan's ambition to diversify its energy and trade relations.

On Tuesday, Landsbergis met with his Kazakh counterpart Mukhtar Tileuberdi and said the ongoing geopolitical changes required new solutions, adding that one of them is to pursue closer mutually beneficial cooperation between the EU and Kazakhstan.

Landsbergis thanked Kazakhstan for its "firm stance in supporting the fundamental principles of international law" and expressed his gratitude for the protection of Lithuania's historical heritage sites in Kazakhstan after a monument to Lithuanian political prisoners was unveiled at the Spassk Memorial Complex in May.

Speaking about Kazakhstan's reform goals, Landsbergis said he saw considerable potential for closer cooperation between the two countries.

Referring to the further development of long-term business relations, Landsbergis called for further development of transport and logistics links, increased mutual investments, making use of the tourism sector's potential, and promoting student exchanges.

The Lithuanian foreign minister also paid tribute to the victims of totalitarianism by visiting and laying a wreath of flowers at the ALZHIR memorial complex, situated within the territory of a former prison camp.

During his official visit to Astana on December 5-7, the Lithuanian foreign minister has also met with Deputy Chairman of Kazakhstan's Senate Askar Shakirov and Aigul Kuspan, chair of the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security.

On Wednesday, Landsbergis is scheduled to meet with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Astana is a historical ally of Moscow but close relations between Russia and Kazakhstan have become strained since Moscow launched its military campaign in Ukraine. Kazakhstan. A former Soviet republic, is trying to balance its relations with the West and Moscow.

After Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization in September, the Kazakh leader let in tens of thousands of Russians fleeing the call to fight in Ukraine.

In November Tokayev was re-elected for a second presidential term without facing any real opposition candidates.

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No-confidence motion against Lithuanian MP Majauskas fails as ruling bloc snubs vote

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – A no-confidence motion against Mykolas Majauskas, chairman of the Lithuanian parliamentary Committee on Budget and Finance (CBF), failed on Tuesday as MPs from the ruling majority boycotted the vote.

Over fifty MPs turned up for the secret ballot vote initiated by the opposition, while at least 71 votes were required to pass a no-confidence resolution.

No MPs of the conservative Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats, the Liberal Movement and the Freedom Party were present at the vote.

The no-confidence motion was signed by a group of over 30 opposition MPs. However, Agne Sirinskiene made it clear that the real aim of her initiative was not to oust the committee's chairman, but to see, through a secret ballot, how many MPs support Majauskas.

The Statute of the Seimas does not allow bringing another motion of no confidence against the same MP during the same parliamentary session.

Last week, Majauskas was expelled from the Homeland Union after he voted in favor of keeping the reduced 9 percent VAT rate for the food servicing industry in place throughout 2023, rather than until July as proposed by the government.

The Homeland Union has said it will seek to remove Majauskas from his position as CBF chairman for defying party discipline and tabling budget proposals that were not approved by the Cabinet.

By Jūratė Skėrytė

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Majauskas steps down as chair of Lithuanian parlt budget committee

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – Mykolas Majauskas said on Tuesday that he is stepping down as chairman of the Lithuanian parliamentary Committee on Budget and Finance (CBF).

"Unfortunately, today's vote shows that the ruling majority does not support my continuing as CBF chairman," he said in a comment to BNS. "After taking into account the results of the vote and after careful consideration, I made the decision to resign as chairman."

"I will ensure a smooth handover to the new chairperson and I wish them success in this difficult but meaningful job," he added.

Majauskas' comment came after the opposition's no-confidence motion against him failed earlier on Tuesday as MPs from the ruling majority boycotted the vote.

Fifty-nine MPs took part in the secret ballot vote and nine of them voted in favor of dismissing Majauskas as the committee's chairman, 44 were against, five abstained, and one vote was invalidated.

No MPs of the conservative Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats, the Liberal Movement and the Freedom Party were present at the vote.

At least 71 votes were required to pass a no-confidence resolution.

"I thank the members of the Seimas who voted for me. This vote is an assessment of the work of the CBF as a whole," said Majauskas.

"During this time, we have passed many important pieces of legislation, including the compulsory transfer of salaries to bank accounts, additional taxation of banks, casinos and lotteries, the Olympic Committee funding reform, the overhaul of the Lithuanian Football Federation, and many others," the MP said.

"Although I have not heard any complaints about the committee's work, you cannot head the CBF effectively unless you have the support of the ruling majority," he added.

The Homeland Union has said it will seek that the parliament dismisses Majauskas from his position as CBF chairman for defying party discipline and tabling budget proposals that were not approved by the Cabinet.

Following the conservatives' moves, a group of over 30 opposition MPs tabled the no-confidence motion against Majauskas. However, Agne Sirinskiene made it clear that the real aim of her initiative was not to oust the committee's chairman, but to show, through a secret ballot, how many MPs support him.

The Statute of the Seimas does not allow bringing another motion of no confidence against the same MP during the same parliamentary session.

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Lithuanian supreme court rejects ex-judge Venckiene's appeal

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – The Lithuanian Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected appeals filed by Neringa Venckiene, a former Lithuanian judge and parliamentarian, and her lawyer in a high-profile case in which she was convicted of resisting police officers, failing to comply with a bailiff's order, and hitting a person.

The Supreme Court's judgment, which is final and not subject to appeal, brings to an end more than a decade of proceedings.

"Having assessed the arguments and the materials of the case, the panel of judges decided to reject the appeals of Venckiene and her lawyer, (...) and to uphold the (lower) courts' rulings," Judge Aurelijus Gutauskas announced.

On July 8, 2021, Panevezys Regional Court found Venckiene guilty and sentenced her to imprisonment, but declared the sentence as having been served because of the time she had spent in custody.

The judgment was later upheld by the Lithuanian Court of Appeal.

Venckiene was a central figure in the so-called Garliava story that started as a dispute over the custody of the daughter of her brother, Drasius Kedys.

After her brother died, Venckiene took care of her niece and defied court orders to hand her over to her mother, Laimute Stankunaite.

The former judge was charged and convicted after officials took her minor niece from her family home in Garliava, a suburb of Kaunas, and handed her over to her mother.

By Ingrida Steniulienė

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We count on Western Balkan countries to back EU foreign policy – Lithuania's Nauseda

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expects Western Balkan partners' solidarity with the EU's stance on the Russia-started war in Ukraine.

"In the context of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, we expect our partners in the Western Balkans to stand in solidarity with EU’s position towards Ukraine and support for it, to condemn the Kremlin’s aggression and to join EU’s policy of sanctions against Russia," the Lithuanian leader told the EU-Western Balkans Summit held in Tirana, Albania, on Tuesday.

"Our values, actions and positions on foreign policy issues have to be aligned, otherwise it will be difficult to talk about further European integration," the president was quoted as saying in a statement released by the presidential press service.

According to the president, the creation of an integrated regional market based on renewable energy sources as a key to resilience against Russian energy blackmail, as well as curbing energy price hikes should be given special focus.

Nauseda also emphasized that Lithuania favored enhancing cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkan countries, and supported EU enlargement "based on the merits and reform efforts of the candidate countries".

Granting the EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova was a positive momentum to the EU enlargement process, Nauseda said, adding that now it's an excellent time for the Western Balkan countries to pursue reforms and to make progress towards EU membership.

The Lithuanian president also welcomed the opening of EU accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia, and supported the granting of the candidate country status to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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We count on Western Balkan countries to back EU foreign policy – Lithuania's Nauseda (expands)

(Updated version: adds paras 4-7)

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expects Western Balkan partners' solidarity with the EU's stance on the Russia-started war in Ukraine.

In a video later released by the presidential press service, Nauseda said not only reforms being implemented were important for EU membership.

"Equally important, if not more important, is that these countries adhere to their common commitments, and to the values that the EU upholds, especially in the face of this war. They include very clear support for Ukraine, actions in line with the EU's common policy, participation in the sanction mechanism," the Lithuanian president said.

He also said he expected the process to move "even faster".

"Lithuania has never been skeptical about accepting new members. Of course, under certain conditions," Nauseda said.

The Lithuanian president also welcomed the opening of EU accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia, and supported the granting of the candidate country status to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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TV Rain won’t be accessible in Lithuania as well after losing Latvian license

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – TV Rain (Dozhd), an independent Russian-language TV channel will no longer be accessible in Lithuania as well after the Latvian watchdog stripped it of its license, the Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania (LRTK) said on Tuesday.

Latvia's National Electronic Mass Media Council's decision to strip the TV channel operating in exile of its license will come into force on Thursday night, LRTK said.

The license gave the right to distribute the content produced in EU countries, Russia, the US and elsewhere.

The channel was licensed after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on June 6.

The Latvian media watchdog said the decision to revoke the broadcasting license was made due to threats to national security and public order.

Latvia's news agency LETA reports that the decision was made based on the TV channel's recent violations, including the absence of a soundtrack in the state language, the depiction of Crimea on a map as part of Russia, and also a TV presenter referring to Russia's army as "our army" and possibly expressing support for it, which the channel denies.

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Mayor of Lithuania's Siauliai suspected of abuse of office

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS - Arturas Visockas, mayor of Lithuania's northern city of Siauliai, on Tuesday faced allegations of abuse of office as part of a pre-trial investigation, launched earlier, into an allegedly non-transparent public tender.

The mayor was told not to leave the country and not to communicate with specific persons, the prosecution service said.

Visockas is suspected of illegally influencing the administration of Siauliai City Municipality, the director of a municipal enterprise and the local public procurement commission to simulate a lawful and transparent public procurement procedure and to create exclusive conditions for one private company to win a public street lighting tender

Visockas claims to have done everything in the public interest.

In June, two people were charged with abuse of office and incitement to abuse as part of the same pre-trial investigation. They included Rytis Maliukevicius, a member of the public procurement commission and director of Etenders Baltija, as well as Danielius Krinickas, a shareholder in the company that won the tender.

The suspected illegal actions may have enabled the company to win an EU-funded public procurement contract worth around 1.7 million euros.

By Austėja Masiokaitė-Liubinienė, Augustas Stankevičius, Ignas Jačauskas

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Russian Embassy calls removal of Soviet sculptures in Vilnius "barbaric mockery"

VILNIUS, Dec 06, BNS – The removal of Soviet sculptures at Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius, started on Tuesday, is "barbaric mockery", the Russian Embassy in Vilnius said, calling on international institutions to assess the move of the local authorities.

It's "the culmination of the Lithuanian government's fierce desire to destroy the memory of the heroes who, at the cost of their lives, liberated Lithuania and Europe from Nazism", the embassy said.

"This barbaric mockery of the dead evokes only a feeling of deep contempt and justified indignation in every normal person," the embassy said.

Earlier in the day, the dismantling the monument to Soviet WWII soldiers was started at Antakalnis Cemetery, despite interim measures imposed by the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC).

Last month, Lithuania's Justice Ministry said the UNHRC was misled by the person who asked for the interim measures for the Soviet-era monument.

"We call on international and public organizations to assess this demonstrative disregard for the decisions of the UN body," the Russian Embassy said.

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Dec 07 2022

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