LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN, May 29, 2024
LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Upcoming events in Lithuania for Wednesday, May 29, 2024
- Lithuanian PM heads to Singapore for security conference (updates)
- SocDem leader Blinkeviciute won't be Lithuanian PM – a Freedom Party leader
- Lithuania records no illegal border crossings from Belarus
- Lithuanian cabinet gives nod to 1-year bank solidarity levy extension
- Lithuanian govt to turn to CC over absence of institution of partnerships
- Bank solidarity levy could fund Lithuanian air defense system procurement – defmin
- Lithuania's govt bans imports of over 2,800 products from Russia, Belarus
- Lithuania to contribute radars to German-led air defense coalition for Ukraine – defmin
- Shadow economy in Lithuania shrinking at record pace – finance minister
- Lithuanian govt OKs tighter rules for gambling industry
- 'Foreign influence' law turns Georgia away from Europe – Lithuanian president (expands)
- Shadow economy in Lithuania shrinking at record pace – finance minister (expands)
- Lithuanian govt backs proposal to terminate another treaty with Russia
- Freedom Party MP sees Simonyte as a candidate for Lithuania's EU commissioner
- Cyber security situation in Lithuania stable, no future guarantees – defmin
- Lithuania's Cabinet allocates EUR 5 mln to rebuild schools, kindergartens in Ukraine
- Lithuanian healthmin urges WHO to invite Taiwan to it assembly as observer
- Lithuanian ForMin summons Georgian ambassador over 'foreign influence' law
- German Bundeswehr concludes Exercise Grand Quadriga 2024
- Upcoming events in Lithuania for Thursday, May 30, 2024
Upcoming events in Lithuania for Wednesday, May 29, 2024
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
PRESIDENT Gitanas Nauseda to attend a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Olympic movement in Lithuania at 6.30 p.m.
SPEAKER OF THE SEIMAS Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen to meet with members of a delegation from Ukraine's Verhkovna Rada at noon.
PRIME MINISTER Ingrida Simonyte to leave for Singapore.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
Lithuanian PM heads to Singapore for security conference (updates)
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte is leaving for Singapore on Wednesday to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue defense and security conference.
Simonyte is also scheduled to meet with Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, as well as with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.
The program of the visit also includes meetings with representatives of Singapore's scientific and business communities, and with the local Lithuanian community.
Lithuania opened its embassy to Singapore in late 2023. Vilnius says it sees the island nation as a gateway to entering Southeast Asian markets.
On Sunday, Simonyte will head to Berlin to take part in an East German Economic Forum discussion with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
SocDem leader Blinkeviciute won't be Lithuanian PM – a Freedom Party leader
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – MP Vytautas Mitalas, one of the leaders of the ruling Freedom Party, predicts that MEP Vilija Blinkeviciute, chairwoman of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), will not become prime minister even if her political force wins October's parliamentary elections.
"I think that even if the Social Democrats are successful, (...) she will simply not be in the post of head of government," he told the Ziniu Radijas radio station on Wednesday.
The opposition Social Democrats top opinion polls and are considered by many observers as favorites to win the parliamentary elections
However, Blinkeviciute has not yet said whether she will lead her party in the October 13 elections, promising to announce her decision in mid-June when the list of candidates is to be compiled.
Currently, she is standing as a candidate in the European Parliament elections scheduled for June 9.
"A prime minister needs to be an active, capable person who works a lot for the sake of Lithuania," Mitalas said.
"Blinkeviciute's best times as a minister or in other positions are already behind her," he added.
Mitalas said that he wants the Freedom Party's list to be led by Ausrine Armonaite, the party's chairwoman, adding that decisions on this will be taken in the near future.
He urged the leaders of all parties to take up leadership in the run-up to the parliamentary elections.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 10, Vilnius newsroom
Lithuania records no illegal border crossings from Belarus
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – Tuesday marked yet another day of no recorded attempts to cross into Lithuania from Belarus illegally, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) said on Wednesday morning.
Latvia reported three attempts at illegal border crossings on Tuesday, and 226 irregular migrants were not allowed into Poland on Monday, according to the latest available information.
A total of 217 irregular migrants have been barred from entering Lithuania from Belarus at non-designated places so far this year.
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.
Lithuanian border guards have prevented a total of almost 22,000 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.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 10, Vilnius newsroom
Lithuanian cabinet gives nod to 1-year bank solidarity levy extension
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – The Lithuanian government on Wednesday approved extending the so-called bank solidarity levy, introduced last year, for another year as an additional source of defense funding, with the final decision to be made by the parliament.
The government plans to table the respective amendments to the Law on Temporary Solidarity Contribution to the Seimas on Thursday and will ask the parliament to debate the legislation under a fast-track procedure.
The levy for 2025, just as it is for 2024, is proposed to be calculated on the basis of 2019-2022 net interest income and is expected to raise around 60 million euros.
The levy would continue to be charged on the part of net interest income that exceeds the average of the four years by more than 50 percent.
Eivile Cipkute, president of the Association of Lithuanian Banks, has told BNS recently that politicians are breaking their promise that the levy will be "temporary".
According to Cipkute, the actual taxation of banks in Lithuania amounted to about 30 percent last year. Their pre-tax profits totaled around 1.5 billion euros, of which 0.5 billion euros were paid in corporate income and solidarity taxes.
Banks operating in Lithuania doubled their combined net profits in 2023 year-on-year to 986 million euros after the solidarity levy.
Editor: Roma Pakėnienė
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
Lithuanian govt to turn to CC over absence of institution of partnerships
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS - The Lithuanian government has decided to turn to the country's Constitutional Court to find out whether the absence of the institution of same-sex partnerships does not run counter to the country's basic law.
On Wednesday, ministers approved a draft resolution prepared by the Justice Ministry, asking the Constitutional Court to assess two provisions of the Civil Code and its enacting law.
The Court is being asked on the constitutionality of the provision stating that only male-female partnerships are possible, and also on the fact that the Civil Code's chapter regulating the conditions of cohabitation without marriage registration will only come into force once the partnership law is adopted.
"The set legal regulation which makes the exercise of the right of unmarried cohabitants to legal recognition and protection of their family life subject to the legislator's discretion is incompatible with the constitutional principles of legitimate expectations and the rule of law," the document reads. "There can be no legal regulation which does not protect the rights of individuals as enshrined in the Constitution, nor does it protect individuals' legitimate expectations arising from the Constitution."
Justice Minister Ewelina Dobrowolska has told BNS earlier that the appeal was prepared after taking into account the case law of both Lithuanian courts and the European Court of Human Rights.
The resolution underlines that the Constitution enshrines the principle of equality of persons and the prohibition of discrimination, and that the state is also committed by the country's main document to protecting and defending all families, in line with the constitutional concept of family.
The Freedom Party, to which Dobrowolska belongs, has been trying to pass a law on the legalization of both same-sex and opposite-sex partnerships since the beginning of this parliament.
In May 2023, the Lithuanian parliament gave its initial OK to the civil union bill by a margin of a few votes but it has not submitted the bill for adoption as it may not get enough votes to pass.
The civil union bill states that partners in a civil union would be able to have shared assets, but would also have the possibility of signing a separate agreement on the legal regulation of their assets. They would also get inheritance according to law and without inheritance taxes, have the possibility to act on each other's behalf and interests, represent each other in healthcare, and have access to health-related information.
Currently in Lithuania, both male-female and same-sex couple cannot register their partnerships.
Previous attempts by lawmakers to legalize them have been unsuccessful.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 08, Vilnius newsroom
Bank solidarity levy could fund Lithuanian air defense system procurement – defmin
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – Lithuania could use funds raised from the extended bank solidarity levy to finance its medium-range air defense system procurement, Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas said on Wednesday.
"We'll have about 60 million euros. (...) This is an amount that the state can use as an advance payment for another medium-range air defense system," he told a press conference.
The minister said that it is not yet clear which system Lithuania would purchase with the money, but added that it could be NASAMS or Iris-T systems.
"I welcome the government's decision and I have no doubt that it will be approved by the Seimas," he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Cabinet approved extending the bank solidarity levy, introduced last year, for another year as an additional source of defense funding, with the final decision to be made by the parliament.
The government plans to table the respective amendments to the Law on Temporary Solidarity Contribution to the Seimas on Thursday and will ask the parliament to debate the legislation under a fast-track procedure.
The levy for 2025, just as it is for 2024, is proposed to be calculated on the basis of 2019-2022 net interest income and is expected to raise around 60 million euros.
Politicians want to boost defense funding to 3 percent of GDP to speed up the establishment of a military division, to host a German brigade, which is expected to be stationed in the country by 2027, and to prepare for universal conscription.
By Vilmantas Venckūnas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 08, Vilnius newsroom
Lithuania's govt bans imports of over 2,800 products from Russia, Belarus
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – Lithuania's government on Wednesday approved a specific list of Russian and Belarusian products after the country's parliament banned imports of agricultural products and feed of Russian or Belarusian origin in April.
Drafted by the Agriculture Ministry, the list includes more than 2,800 different products.
The list includes a total of 24 groups of products: certain live animals, meat and certain meat products, fish and shellfish, milk and milk products, eggs, honey, trees and other plants, bulbs, vegetables, fruits and nuts, coffee, tea, spices, cereals and their products, flour, starch, oils and fats, waxes, sugar, cocoa, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, vinegar, animal feed, food industry residues, tobacco and their processed substitutes.
The ban on imports of these products will come into force on June 3.
Editor: Roma Pakėnienė
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
Lithuania to contribute radars to German-led air defense coalition for Ukraine – defmin
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – The Lithuanian government on Wednesday approved 13.5 million euros for the purchase of air surveillance radars to contribute to the German-led air defense coalition for Ukraine, Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas said on Wednesday.
"Today (...) the government allocated 13.5 million euros for the acquisition of radars that will strengthen the warning system in Ukraine. By doing so, we are joining the German-initiated air defense coalition," Kasciunas told reporters.
"They (Germany) have given (Ukraine) their third Patriot system and other systems, so we are contributing what we can in response," he added.
According to Kasciunas, the goal this year is to send four radars to Ukraine.
"They will enhance warning, visibility, and the ability to destroy aerial targets. (We'll send) four this year, and then we'll continue to purchase radars because Ukraine needs them; they themselves have identified this need," he said.
In response to Kyiv's requests, Lithuania has delivered 155 mm ammunition, M577 armored personnel carriers, drone jamming equipment, power generators, cold season gear and tens of thousands of warm clothing sets, Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle rounds, RISE-1 long-range smart initiation systems, a disassembled L-39ZA Albatros light ground attack support aircraft, and other aid to Ukraine so far this year, according to the Defense Ministry.
Lithuania's assistance to Ukraine has reached a billion euros to date, including around 616 million euros in military aid. Assistance worth about 95 million euros has already been provided this year, "a dynamic aimed to become the norm", it has said.
By Vilmantas Venckūnas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 08, Vilnius newsroom
Shadow economy in Lithuania shrinking at record pace – finance minister
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – The shadow economy, or the share of unpaid value added tax (VAT), in Lithuania is shrinking at a record pace, Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste said on Wednesday.
"The gap – the unpaid share of VAT – has contracted and continues to contract at record rates. This has also been confirmed by the European Commission," she told a press conference.
The State Tax Inspectorate (STI) forecasts that the VAT gap will narrow to 11 percent this year, compared to 18.7 percent in 2020, according to Skaiste.
"The shadow economy in Lithuania is shrinking and this is shown by objective figures. These trends probably started a few years ago; we observed VAT gap reduction trends during the previous government's term as well," she said.
If the VAT gap in the country had not narrowed and remained at the 2020 level, the state would have lost 600 million euros in budget revenue between 2021 and 2022, the minister added.
By Lukas Juozapaitis
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 17, Vilnius newsroom
Lithuanian govt OKs tighter rules for gambling industry
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – The Lithuanian government on Wednesday approved tighter rules for the gambling business. They will prevent irresponsible gambling, strengthen the protection of problem gamblers and increase transparency in the sector.
Drafted by the Finance Ministry, the amendments will now go to the parliament for further consideration.
The bill proposes that gambling houses (casinos), slot machines, bingo parlors and betting shops should have a qualified staff member who, in case of a suspicion of irresponsibility on the part of a gambler, would offer to stop gambling or would be able to stop the person.
The ministry proposes obliging companies to introduce a remote gambling platform which not only contains general information on the gambler and their transactions, but also allows the Gaming Control Authority to access the platform at any time and check the data.
The amendments propose fines of 3-5 percent of a company's gross annual revenue for non-compliance with the rules on gamblers' protection, responsible gambling, permitted advertising and other requirements, rising to 8-10 percent for repeated infringements.
The existing fines for a first infringement now range between 6,000 and 25,000 euros, and they double for repeat infringements.
The Finance Ministry has previously argued that the existing maximum fine of 50,000 euros is equivalent to the average daily revenue of a gambling company and is therefore not an effective instrument to prevent infringements.
The new amendments come in response to the case where Sarunas Stepukonis who embezzled around 40 million euros from several companies owned by BaltCap, an investment company, and gambled most of it away.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
'Foreign influence' law turns Georgia away from Europe – Lithuanian president (expands)
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – Tbilisi is turning away from Europe, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda says after the Georgian parliament rejected the president's veto on the controversial "foreign influence" law.
"The new law represents a dangerous breaking from the democratic values. It turns the country away from Europe," he posted on X on Tuesday.
He underlined, however, that Lithuania will always support a "free and independent" Georgia and its "brave people".
"A very sad day for Georgia and the rest of Europe," he wrote.
Despite mass protests, the Georgian parliament adopted the so-called "foreign agent" law In mid-May. The law requires NGOs and media outlets that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as "foreign agents".
The country's President Salome Zourabishvili vetoed the law, but her veto was rejected on Tuesday. The president is required to sign the bill into law within five days. If she fails to do so, the law will be signed by the speaker of the parliament.
Critics have condemned the law, saying it is similar to the one in place in Russia, which is being used to silence Moscow's critics. Brussels says the adopted law is incompatible with Georgia's long-standing ambition to become an EU member.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
Shadow economy in Lithuania shrinking at record pace – finance minister (expands)
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – The shadow economy, or the share of unpaid value added tax (VAT), in Lithuania is shrinking at a record pace, Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste said on Wednesday.
"The gap – the unpaid share of VAT – has contracted and continues to contract at record rates. This has also been confirmed by the European Commission," she told a press conference.
The State Tax Inspectorate (STI) forecasts that the VAT gap, the difference between the VAT due and the actual VAT revenue, will narrow to 11 percent this year, compared to 18.7 percent in 2020, according to Skaiste.
"The shadow economy in Lithuania is shrinking and this is shown by objective figures. These trends probably started a few years ago; we observed VAT gap reduction trends during the previous government's term as well," she said.
If the VAT gap in the country had not narrowed and remained at the 2020 level, the state would have lost 600 million euros in budget revenue between 2021 and 2022, the minister added.
According to Skaiste, at least 238 million euros in additional budget revenue were "pulled out" of the shadow economy in 2023.
The Finance Ministry cites data from a report by the European Commission's Centre for Socio-Economic Studies (CASE) showing that Lithuania's VAT gap stood at 14.5 percent in 2021 and 13.5 percent in 2022.
Editor: Roma Pakėnienė
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
Lithuanian govt backs proposal to terminate another treaty with Russia
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – The Lithuanian government on Wednesday backed a proposal to terminate the international treaty with Russia on legal assistance and legal relations in civil, family and criminal cases.
According to the Justice Ministry, the treaty was signed in 1992 and ratified by the Supreme Council. The aim of the treaty was to ensure equal protection of the personal and property rights of citizens of both countries and of legal entities operating in their territories, and to develop legal cooperation in the field of legal assistance.
Justice Minister Ewelina Dobrowolska says the change in the geopolitical situation – Russia's military aggression against Ukraine – has led to gross violations of the principles of international law, including international humanitarian law, and Lithuania must clearly express its political will and cease cooperation in the field of international relations with the aggressor country.
According to the ministry, legal cooperation under this treaty has been "de facto non-existent" for more than two years now, "and requests for legal assistance received by Lithuania from Russia have not been executed", except in cases that are exclusively and directly related to the interests of Lithuanian citizens.
Latvia and Estonia have already made political decisions to terminate their similar international treaties with Russia.
As the renewal of the treaty with Russia is due to take place on January 21, 2025, the aim is to terminate the treaty as soon as possible, before its automatic renewal for another five years.
The treaty should be denounced by the parliament.
This is not the first treaty whose termination has been approved by the Lithuanian Cabinet. Last week, ministers approved the termination of Lithuania's agreements with Russia and Belarus on investment promotion and protection, as well as on trade and economic relations.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 08, Vilnius newsroom
Freedom Party MP sees Simonyte as a candidate for Lithuania's EU commissioner
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – MP Vytautas Mitalas, vice-chairman of the Freedom Party, the conservatives' ruling coalition partner, sees Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte as a potential candidate to become Lithuania's next European Commissioner.
Mitalas said the country has to nominate the best possible candidate to the European Commission to ensure that its portfolio in the next Commission is as influential as possible.
"I really think that Lithuania needs the best possible candidate who can have the most serious portfolio in the European Commission," the MP told the Ziniu Radijas radio station. "We often see countries' prime ministers vie for such a portfolio."
"Simonyte could objectively obtain a better portfolio in the European Commission, which no one doubts," he added.
Discussions about Lithuania's next EU commissioner reignited last week after Politico named Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, chairman of the ruling conservative Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (HU-LCD), as Lithuania's possible candidate for a job in the EU's executive body.
In its article on "the front-runners for the next European Commission", Politico said that Landsbergis "is eyeing a foreign policy-related portfolio".
"We'll fight for Landsbergis' candidacy as much as they'll fight for the Civil Union," Mitalas said, referring to a bill under consideration in the parliament to legally recognize gender-neutral partnerships.
Landsbergis' HU-LCD is part of the European People's Party (EPP) family, which is seen as the favorite to win the most seats in next month's European Parliament elections and to nominate the next president of the Commission.
Each EU member country nominates one member of the EU's executive body.
Virginijus Sinkevicius, Lithuania' current European Commissioner, is responsible for environment, oceans and fisheries.
Lithuania's nominee will have to be approved by the government, the parliament and the president, with the final decision on all candidates to be made by the European Parliament.
President Gitanas Nauseda has said that he will have a strong voice in deciding whom to nominate, but he has not yet named his favorite.
Ursula von der Leyen, the current European Commission president, is considered the favorite to lead the new Commission.
The European Parliament elections in Lithuania will be held on June 9.
By Saulius Jakučionis
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
Cyber security situation in Lithuania stable, no future guarantees – defmin
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS - The cyber security situation in Lithuania remained stable last year, but that does not provide guarantees for the future as it is mainly influenced by geopolitical factors and the development of artificial intelligence, Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas said after the National Cyber Security Status Report was published on Wednesday
"In 2023, our cyber security situation was deemed stable, but that does not provide guarantees for the future as cyber security must remain a priority of Lithuania's ongoing digitalization processes," the minister told a press conference on Wednesday.
Drafted by the Defense Ministry and several other institutions, reports states that the total number of registered cyber incidents dropped by 30 percent last year to 3,300, from over 2,300 in 2022.
Geopolitical factors and the rapid development of the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, had the biggest impact on Lithuania's cyber security, Kasciunas said.
"Lithuania remained in the crosshairs of Kremlin-linked groups due to its active support for Ukraine," the minister said, adding that the highest number of incidents last year was recorded between July and September.
"This is undoubtedly linked to the NATO summit in Vilnius," Kasciunas pointed out.
Last year, the number of more dangerous medium-category incidents grew by 12 percent to 37, from 32 the year before.
"What we can see from the incidents is that no super-unique techniques were used as criminals achieved their goals due to our still insufficient security," Liudas Alisauskas, the head of the National Cyber Security Center, told the press conference.
Speaking about the development of artificial intelligence, he said the potential use of this technology to plan cyber operations is raising concern.
"Although there are no known cases or incidents where it has been said that (artificial intelligence - BNS) has been used, the possibilities and potential are enormous," he said.
According to the report, the majority of incidents had to do with the infrastructure of web hosting services, the public administration sector, the infrastructure of internet service providers, and the end devices of individuals connected to it.
According to the NCSC, the most damaging types and methods of cyber-attacks last year were malware viruses encrypting electronic data and demanding a ransom, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, supply chain attacks and socially-engineered attacks designed to extort a variety of sensitive data.
In order to beef up Lithuania's cyber security, the Defense Ministry started the establishment of a Cyber Defense Command within the Lithuanian Armed Forces earlier this year. There are also plans to further strengthen the NCSC, as well as to continue the cyber security development program to strengthens the public sector's capacity to respond to cyber incidents.
By Vilmantas Venckūnas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 08, Vilnius newsroom
Lithuania's Cabinet allocates EUR 5 mln to rebuild schools, kindergartens in Ukraine
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – Lithuania's Cabinet on Wednesday allocated 5 million euros to Ukraine's education sector.
The money will go towards the reconstruction and adaptation of destroyed Ukrainian schools and kindergartens, including the installation of bomb shelters and other safety equipment, the Finance Ministry said.
This planned support was announced during Finance Minister Gintare Skaistė's visit to Kyiv in March.
The money will be used to rebuild Ukraine's educational and scientific institutions damaged or destroyed during the ongoing war, as well as to purchase teaching aids and computer equipment, to upgrade the research and innovation infrastructure network, and to ensure a safe educational environment.
The World Bank estimates the damage to Ukraine at 450 billion euros, and the minimum reconstruction costs in 2024 will stand at 14 billion US dollars.
The Finance Ministry estimates that Lithuania has provided Ukraine with aid worth around 1.5 percent of its GDP since the outbreak of the war.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 08, Vilnius newsroom
Lithuanian healthmin urges WHO to invite Taiwan to it assembly as observer
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – Lithuanian Health Minister Arynas Dulkys has urged the World Health Organization to invite Taiwan to attend the World Health Assembly in Geneva as an observer.
"Given the global toll of war, conflict and crises, it is important to learn from those countries that have an excellent record in responding to pandemics. Taiwan's contribution, including its expertise in health security, disease prevention and crisis management, is invaluable. The unjustified rejection of Taiwan's contribution calls into question our All for Health, Health for All commitment," the minister was quoted as saying in the Health Ministry's statement.
The World Health Assembly is taking place from May 27 until June 1. Attending the assembly, Dulkys also stressed that Russia's crimes are depriving Ukrainians of access to adequate health services.
The Assembly is discussing preparedness and response to health emergencies, infection prevention and control, universal health coverage, chronic non-communicable diseases, reproductive health, maternal and child mortality, and other topical issues such as the strategy to fight tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance, climate change and health.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
Lithuanian ForMin summons Georgian ambassador over 'foreign influence' law
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – Lithuania's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned Georgia's ambassador was summoned to express its concern about the situation in Georgia
Earlier this month, the Georgian parliament passed a controversial "foreign influence" law despite mass protests and calls from foreign countries to repeal it. The law was vetoed by the country's President Salome Zourabichvili, but the parliament overrode the veto on Tuesday.
Critics condemn the law, saying it is similar to the one in force in Russia, aimed at silencing Moscow's opponents. The EU has warned that the law is incompatible with Georgia's long-standing bid to join the block, which is enshrined in the country's constitution and is supported by more than 80 percent of Georgians, according to public opinion polls.
"Deep concern was expressed to the ambassador over the decision by Georgia's ruling party, as well as other actions aimed at intimidating and restricting the activities of civil society in the country, which are fundamentally at odds with the country's constitutionally enshrined aspirations for EU-NATO integration," the Foreign Ministry's statement reads.
The law stipulates that all independent NGOs and media organizations that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad must register as acting in the "interests of a foreign state".
"Lithuania is deeply concerned about these developments in Georgia and is working with its partners to consider possible responses," the ministry said. "Stressing the need to ensure free and fair elections reflecting the will of the Georgian public, Lithuania continues to consistently support the aspirations of the Georgian society to link the country's future with the EU and NATO."
Last week, the United States imposed new visa restrictions on people involved in the passage of the controversial law in response to the situation.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said on Tuesday that Tbilisi was turning away from Europe with this action, while Foreign Minister Gabriel Landsbergis said that the law would "essentially stop" Georgia from joining the European Union.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
German Bundeswehr concludes Exercise Grand Quadriga 2024
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS - The large-scale Exercise Grand Quadriga 2024, a joint exercise of the German Bundeswehr and the Lithuanian, Dutch and Franco-German brigades, concluded on Wednesday.
The exercise focused on the redeployment of two divisions from the central European region to the east, with more than 3,000 German troops and 200 pieces of military equipment deployed to Lithuania by land, rail, sea and air for almost a month, the Lithuanian army said.
Lithuanian Chief of Defense General Valdemaras Rupsys underlined that it was an exceptional exercise in terms of its in scope.
"This is the first time since the Cold War that Germany was conducting such a large-scale redeployment of its forces at divisional level to NATO's eastern flank, including Lithuania. This is part of NATO's regional defense plans, endorsed last summer at the NATO Vilnius Summit, which aim to test in real conditions the rapid redeployment of their assigned capabilities to the required area of operations," Rupsys said.
During the exercise, the German army deployed Leopard 2 tanks, Puma infantry fighting vehicles, PzH 2000 self-propelled artillery systems and Tiger attack helicopters in Lithuania.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
Upcoming events in Lithuania for Thursday, May 30, 2024
VILNIUS, May 30, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Thursday, May 30, 2024.
PRIME MINISTER Ingrida Simonyte to continue her visit to Singapore.
FOREIGN MINISTER Gabrielius Landsbergis to pay a working visit to Prague, to attend a meeting of NATO foreign ministers.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN, May 28, 2024
LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Upcoming events in Lithuania for Tuesday, May 278, 2024
- Lithuania records no illegal border crossings from Belarus
- Lithuanian president says he'd veto budget with less than 3 pct of GDP for defense
- Lithuanian president thinks Simonyte might not get support to continue as PM
- Special operations forces hold demonstration drill at Lithuania's Elektrenai power plant
- Russia's actions need legal assessment, collective response – aide
- Lithuanian formin calls of swifter EU decisions on Russian assets for Ukraine's defense
- Air attack drill held at Lithuanian parliament
- It's up to parlt to decide on defense budget of at least 3 pct of GDP – Lithuanian PM
- Lithuania's Tripartite Council starts talks on raising minimum wage 16 pct from 2025
- Lithuanian PM says updated forecasts needed for minimum wage decision
- Most Lithuanians don't miss Russian TV programs, but 14 pct still watch them – survey
- 10th rotation of US troops starts their service in Lithuania's Pabrade
- Lithuanian PM to visit Singapore, Germany, to meet with leaders
- Lithuanian, EU defmins discuss EU defense capabilities, support for Kyiv
- Upcoming events in Lithuania for Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Upcoming events in Lithuania for Tuesday, May 278, 2024
VILNIUS, May 28, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
SPEAKER OF THE SEIMAS Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen to meet with Moldovan Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi at 12.05 p.m.
DEFENSE MINISTER Laurynas Kasciunas to attend a EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on defense issues.
JUSTICE MINISTER Ewelina Dobrowolska to attend a meeting of Nordic-Baltic justice ministers.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
Lithuania records no illegal border crossings from Belarus
VILNIUS, May 28, BNS – Lithuanian border guards have in the past 24 hours recorded no attempts to cross into the country from Belarus illegally, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) said on Tuesday morning.
Latvia reported 30 attempts at illegal border crossings on Monday, and 190 irregular migrants were not allowed into Poland on Sunday, according to the latest available information.
A total of 217 irregular migrants have been barred from entering Lithuania from Belarus at non-designated places so far this year.
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.
Lithuanian border guards have prevented a total of almost 22,000 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.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
Lithuanian president says he'd veto budget with less than 3 pct of GDP for defense
VILNIUS, May 28, BNS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said on Monday he would likely veto next year's state budget if it earmarked less than 3 percent of GDP for defense.
"I think I'd veto it. Of course, other aspects need to be considered – you know that vetoing the budget in Lithuania is a yet untested tool," Nauseda told a TV3 program.
" A lot of other things depend on it (the budget), and I'd certainly not like people who have nothing to do with this to be affected just because we failed to reach an agreement on this crucial issue," the president said.
"I hope it won't come to that, because seeing the commitment of the parties, I believe at least 3 percent will be achieved. But I think we can reach even more," he added.
Lithuania is looking to boost defense funding to 3 percent of GDP to speed up the development of the planned military division and to host Germany's brigade.
The Finance Ministry a week ago proposed increasing the corporate tax rate by one percentage point, hiking excise duties on fuel, and introducing a tax on some insurance contracts as part of measures to raise additional funds for defense.
The ministry says these proposals will allow raising defense funding to around 3 percent of GDP for the 2025-2030 period.
In his post-election press conference earlier on Monday, Nauseda, who was re-elected for a second five-year term, said that this is not enough and promised to push for defense spending to increase to 3.5 percent of GDP in the coming years.
The president told TV3 that such a plan could be implemented as early as next year.
"But if we fail to do so, we really have no time to delay – 2026 at the latest," he said, adding that 3.5 percent of GDP "is the minimum necessary amount taking into account our procurement schedule and our decisions regarding infrastructure implementation".
Nauseda said he believes that an agreement on this target could be reached, given that some parties that were initially skeptical about boosting the defense budget are now "among the most enthusiastic supporters of an increase in defense spending".
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 08, Vilnius newsroom
Lithuanian president thinks Simonyte might not get support to continue as PM
VILNIUS, May 28, BNS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda sees a possibility that Ingrida Simonyte might fail to receive the support of some of her coalition partners to secure a renewed mandate to continue as prime minister after he is sworn in for his second term in July.
"It's possible that the prime minister might not be re-appointed, because all sorts of situations can happen, especially given that there's not much time left before the (general) elections and (...) even the ruling coalition parties might view their coalition cooperation somewhat differently than they did for most of the term," he told a LRT TV program on Monday evening.
According to Nauseda, the Liberal Movement and the Freedom Party – the smaller coalition partners of the conservative Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats – might show in the run-up to the parliamentary elections that "the position of the younger coalition partners is far from being automatically the same as that of the older brother".
"Such a motive may emerge," the re-elected president said.
The ruling coalition holds 72 seats in the 141-member parliament.
Under the law, the Cabinet must return its mandate after the next president is sworn in. The president then nominates the prime minister for reappointment as head of government. If the parliament does not give its approval, the Cabinet must resign.
If the Seimas approves the nomination and the president re-appoints the prime minister, the government continues to work under its program previously endorsed by the parliament, provided that less than half of the ministers have changed.
Ausrine Armonaite, the Freedom Party's leader, told BNS on Monday that she does not place much importance on this procedure, but added that it "will be a test for the ruling coalition and the prime minister herself."
Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, speaker of the Seimas and leader of the Liberal Movement, said she does not think that submitting her leadership to a confidence vote in the parliament will pose a major challenge for the prime minister.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 08, Vilnius newsroom
Special operations forces hold demonstration drill at Lithuania's Elektrenai power plant
VILNIUS, May 28, BNS – A demonstration drill is taking part at the Lithuanian Power Plant complex in Elektrenai on Tuesday as part of the Lithuanian Armed Forces' Special Operations Forces Exercise Flaming Sword.
The military has said in a press release that the synchronized and meticulously planned operation will be conducted by the Lithuanian SOF together with NATO allies.
The demonstration drill is to be observed by Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, Chief of Defense General Valdemaras Rupsys, and SOF Commander Colonel Darius Milasius.
The international SOF exercises, which began on May 13, focuses on maintaining a high level of interoperability and readiness for special operations, according to the press release.
"More than 1,600 participants from 14 NATO countries are provided with a unique opportunity to conduct special operations as a coalition, ensuring a rapid and effective response to various threats in the Baltic airspace, on land and in territorial waters, as well as in cyber and information domains," the military stated.
Ignitis Gamyba's Elektrenai complex is Lithuania's largest gas-fired power plant. The complex provides electricity reserve services and its units are usually only switched on when necessary, for example during price spikes on the electricity market.
Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys has told BNS that the Lithuanian Power Plant's units will be needed to ensure balancing and stability of the system until hydrogen replaces gas as the fuel for electricity generation and they will also keep the system efficient during unforeseen circumstances like war.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 239 64 16, Vilnius newsroom
Russia's actions need legal assessment, collective response – aide
VILNIUS, May 28, BNS – Russia's actions need a legal assessment and collective response, Kestutis Budrys, a senior aide to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda says, amid reports of a possible case of sabotage in Vilnius in recent weeks and the Kremlin's plans to change the maritime borders with Lithuania and Finland.
"One of the things that we definitely need is a legal assessment adequate to the activities (...)," he told the Ziniu Radijas news radio on Tuesday. "The other step is, of course, that collective response. In this case, it is important to underline that this is not about Lithuania, the Baltic states or Poland only (...), but it is about the whole Alliance and all the countries that are helping Ukraine, which is why the response must be a collective one, with red lines being drawn very clearly."
His comment came after 12 people were arrested in Poland last week, suspected of being involved in sabotage cases ordered by Russia.
Among the examples of sabotage, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk cited an attempt to set fire to the IKEA store in Vilnius.
Meanwhile, last Wednesday, reports emerged that Russia planned to change its maritime borders with Lithuania and Finland. This information was subsequently removed from the Russian Defense Ministry's website.
According to Budrys, it is important to draw lines for Russia, and their crossing will be considered an act of aggression against NATO.
"It is not that you create a spark a conflict between two states that could lead to war by driving a tank or violating the airspace of two states with a missile only," the presidential aide said. "Russia, I think, is testing us in the sense of how much we will tolerate this or that action, and that tolerance has not gone very far. We are talking about this with our partners at the moment."
By Greta Zulonaitė
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 239 64 16, Vilnius newsroom
Lithuanian formin calls of swifter EU decisions on Russian assets for Ukraine's defense
VILNIUS, May 28, BNS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has called on the European Union to speed up its efforts to finance Ukraine's defense by using profits from frozen Russian assets in the EU.
"We must immediately redirect profits from frozen Russian assets to bolster Ukraine’s military defense," he was quoted as saying in a statement released by the Foreign Ministry on Monday.
Landsbergis attended a Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels and called on his counterparts to approve EU legislation on military aid for Ukraine as soon as possible.
After months of wrangling, the EU Council last week endorsed a plan to use profits from the Russian Central Bank's roughly 200 billion euros of frozen assets to arm Ukraine, but uncertainties still remain over its practical implementation.
According to Landsbergis, the West's fear and moderation act "as an invitation to Russia" to escalate the situation in Ukraine as well as in the EU and NATO countries.
"We must allow Ukraine to strike back if Russia escalates. We must join the initiatives of real assistance to Ukraine and implement them as soon as possible," Lithuania's top diplomat said.
Lithuania has expressed public support for initiatives by France, Germany, and the Czech Republic to support Ukraine. In addition, Lithuania has taken concrete steps to aid Ukraine as soon as possible.
During the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Landsbergis also shared his insights after the joint visit of the foreign ministers of Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, and Lithuania to Georgia as the country's parliament continues its push to put the controversial "foreign agent" law in force, while critics say the new law, similar to the one in place in Russia, will be used to silence opposition groups
Landsbergis says "this law is only one example of Georgia’s greater democratic erosion, turning away from European values and the path to the EU".
"The EU must review its relations with Georgia in this light," he underlined.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 08, Vilnius newsroom
Air attack drill held at Lithuanian parliament
VILNIUS, May 28, BNS – The first air attack drill was held at the Seimas Palace in Vilnius on Tuesday.
The aim was to evacuate people from the parliament's Buildings 1 and 2 to a shelter within 10 minutes.
Around a hundred people, including MPs and their aides, and journalists, were directed to the basements of Building 1, where they were provided with information about the drill, air raid alert levels, and first aid.
Paulius Saudargas, vice-speaker of the Seimas, simulated being injured.
Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, speaker of the parliament, was evacuated separately.
According to the drill organizers, they managed to get everyone in the building into the shelter within 10 minutes.
The shelter in the Seimas Palace and the emergency direct exit to the outside were also tested for the first time.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 08, Vilnius newsroom
It's up to parlt to decide on defense budget of at least 3 pct of GDP – Lithuanian PM
VILNIUS, May 28, BNS – It's up to the Seimas to decide on a defense budget of at least 3 percent of GDP, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte says as President Gitanas Nauseda mulls vetoing next year's budget if it includes less than 3 percent of GDP for defense.
"If the Seimas decides on additional sources of funding, it will not be a big problem," the prime minister told reporters in Elektrenai on Tuesday.
Last week, the Finance Ministry proposed raising additional funds for defense by increasing the corporate tax rate by one percentage point, raising excise duties on fuel, tobacco and alcohol, introducing a tax on some insurance contracts, extending the now temporary bank solidarity levy for another 12 months, and taxing some small businesses more.
According to the ministry, these proposals will increase defense funding to around 3 percent of GDP between 2025 and 2030. Lithuania is looking for ways to increase defense spending to speed up the establishment of an army division and to accommodate the German brigade assigned to Lithuania.
Re-elected for a second term, Nauseda told a press conference on Monday that this was not enough and vowed to push for an increase in national defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP in the coming years. Later, he told the TV3 television that he would probably veto next year's state budget if it did not include at least 3 percent of GDP for defense.
Simonyte says that if the Finance Ministry's proposals were not adopted, defense spending would have to be increased through borrowing, which would most likely breach the Maastricht criterion, and therefore "we should think about what spending needs to be squeezed, and increase less".
By Augustas Stankevičius, Vilmantas Venckūnas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 08, Vilnius newsroom
Lithuania's Tripartite Council starts talks on raising minimum wage 16 pct from 2025
VILNIUS, May 28, BNS - The Tripartite Council, representing the interests of the government, employers and employees in Lithuania, is launching discussions on raising the minimum monthly wage by 16 percent to 1,070 euros before tax, from the existing from 924 euros, from January 2025. Trade unions say they support the central Bank of Lithuania's proposal, while businesses believe that such a minimum wage would be too high.
Inga Ruginiene, chair of the Lithuanian Confederation of Trade Unions, says that the Bank of Lithuania will unveil its calculations at the meeting on Tuesday.
"Today, the Bank of Lithuania will present the figures on how much it would be based on the formula we have agreed, and how they see the whole situation. They have already presented that figure to the Commission on Labor Relations, so we already know what that preliminary figure is. Our main position is that we should be starting negotiations from 1,070 euros in 2025," Ruginiene told BNS.
Meanwhile, Emilis Ruzele, acting director of the Lithuanian Business Confederation, says such an minimum monthly wage would be too much of a burden for businesses.
"In our opinion, we need more discussions this year and take into account the fact there's the ongoing public discussion on defense funding, tax increases and then, at least what we see from the initial proposals, we see that most of those taxes would come from businesses. This is an important aspect when it comes to the minimum wage," he told BNS.
"Our position is that it (the minimum wage - BNS) will naturally increase, and the average wage is also increasing very fast, but we think that the increase could be more modest. (...) We have not named a specific figure," he said, doubting that the minimum wag will be raised to the level proposed by the Bank of Lithuania.
Ruginiene says discussions on changes to the formula for calculating the minimum wage and on increasing the non-taxable income rate will be held.
"Employers think the formula should be changed and productivity should be introduced. We have already discussed this at several meetings, but we don't see the need for that (...). And we will be also talking about non-taxable income rate, whether to raise it or not," she said.
The minimum pre-tax monthly wage in Lithuania stands at 924 euros this year.
Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste said in early May the minimum wage would likely to exceed 1,000 euros next year, and her estimate was later echoed by Social Security and Labor Minister Monika Navickiene.
Editor: Roma Pakėnienė
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
Lithuanian PM says updated forecasts needed for minimum wage decision
VILNIUS, May 28, BNS – Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said on Tuesday that updated wage forecasts from the central bank and the Finance Ministry are needed to set next year's minimum monthly wage "as accurately as possible".
Her comment comes as the Tripartite Council, which brings together representatives from the government, employers and trade unions, is starting discussions on the central bank's proposal to raise the minimum monthly wage by 16 percent to 1,070 euros before tax, from the current 924 euros, as of January 2025.
According to Simonyte, if employee and employer representatives fail to reach an agreement, the government could make its decision in September.
"We need to get a better sense of this year's projections when they are updated by the Finance Ministry and the Bank of Lithuania, so as to be as accurate as possible in setting next year's minimum wage," the prime minister told reporters in Elektrenai.
"I'd say that the government’s decision on this matter is most likely to be made sometime in September while drafting the budget (for 2025), because this is also important for the budget," she added.
Simonyte noted that last year, trade unions and employers "probably for the first time" agreed on a minimum wage increase, and the government "only had to give its approval to that agreement".
"We'll try to find some consensus and agreement. If, as has happened in the past, opinions diverge, then the government will have to set the amount," the prime minister said.
"We know the ranges we need to aim for. To calculate them correctly, we need the most up-to-date wage data," she added.
Simonyte noted that previously, employers and employees had differing opinions, with trade unions seeking a faster wage increase and businesses preferring a slower one.
The prime minister said that the minimum wage has been rising "very rapidly" in recent years, alongside the growth of the average wage and the number of employed people.
She believes that a faster minimum wage increase would not have an adverse impact on the country's labor market, which is expected to remain "very resilient".
"The number of job vacancies remains quite high; there may be slightly more layoffs, but there are also more hires; unemployment has slightly increased, but not significantly," she said.
Inga Ruginiene, chairwoman of the Lithuanian Confederation of Trade Unions, told BNS on Tuesday that the central bank's proposed 1,070-euro minimum wage should be the "starting point" for talks between businesses and employees.
Emilis Ruzele, acting director of the Lithuanian Business Confederation, said, however, that such a minimum monthly wage would be too much of a burden for businesses, especially in light of discussions on a possible increase in corporate and other taxes for defense purposes.
Editor: Roma Pakėnienė
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
Most Lithuanians don't miss Russian TV programs, but 14 pct still watch them – survey
VILNIUS, May 28, BNS – Most people in Lithuania do not miss Russian television programs, but 14 percent still watch them, according to a survey commissioned by the Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania (RTCL).
Four out of five respondents answered "no" to the question of whether they miss Russian channels in Lithuania. The percentage was particularly high, at over 90 percent, among young people aged under 29 years, it said in a press release.
Fourteen percent of those polled admitted to having watched TV channels broadcast from Russia recently. This answer was more common among older people, and ethnic Poles or Russians, the media watchdog noted.
Almost half of those who watch TV channels broadcast in Russia said they do so on TV, 34 percent via specialized websites, 27.7 percent via social media platforms, and 14.7 percent via satellite.
YouTube was named as the most frequently used medium to get news from Russian-language TV channels (64.3 percent), followed by Telegram channels with 26.8 percent, Nastoyashcheye Vremia (Current Time) with 19.9 percent, and Dozd TV with 10.5 percent.
More than half of all respondents said they do not watch news on foreign channels at all. Those who do so most often watch the BBC (23.8 percent), followed by Euronews (18.8 percent), CNN (17.7 percent), Deutsche Welle (6.1 percent), and others.
These channels are more likely to be watched by respondents aged under 39 years.
In the survey commissioned by the RTCL, Kantar polled 1,123 people in Lithuania in May.
Lithuania banned Russian and Belarusian TV channels and websites over warmongering and propaganda in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In April, the parliament amended the Law on the Provision of Information to the Public, prohibiting the retransmission of programs produced by companies registered in Russia and Belarus for as long as they pose a threat to national security.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 08, Vilnius newsroom
10th rotation of US troops starts their service in Lithuania's Pabrade
VILNIUS, May 28, BNS – US rotational battalion changed at the General Silvestras Zukauskas training area in Lithuania's Pabrade on Tuesday.
The incoming rotation arrived in Lithuania in May, the Lithuanian army said, adding that the US troops are bringing in M109A6 Paladin artillery systems, Abrams tanks and Bradley IVFs.
The allies will take part in exercises, live-fire exercises and events together with the battalions of the Zemaitija Brigade, individual companies and other Lithuanian army units.
According to the army, the outgoing rotation has contributed to the training of junior commanders since September 2023, as well as to the JLTV course, and took part in the Exercises Strong Griffon 2023 and Brave Griffon 2024 and other events.
US Army troops have been rotating in the Baltics and Eastern Europe since 2014 as part of the US Army's Operation Atlantic Resolve in the eastern part of the Alliance. The aim of the operation is to strengthen allied defense and security in the region.
By Dominykas Biržietis
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +370 5 205 85 08, Vilnius newsroom
Lithuanian PM to visit Singapore, Germany, to meet with leaders
VILNIUS, May 28, BNS – Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte will pay a working visit to Singapore and the German capital of Berlin this week, the government said on Tuesday.
At the Shangri-La Dialogue defense and security conference, Simonyte will meet with Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, as well as with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.
The program of the visit also includes meetings with representatives of Singapore's scientific and business communities, and with the local Lithuanian community.
On Sunday, Simonyte is scheduled to take part in an East German Economic Forum discussion with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
Lithuanian, EU defmins discuss EU defense capabilities, support for Kyiv
VILNIUS, May 28, BNS – Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas, who is attending a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on defense issues in Brussels, discussed with his colleagues ways to strengthen Europe's defense capabilities, defense cooperation and the EU's support for Ukraine, the Defense Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
First, a meeting of the Steering Board of the European Defense Agency took place and the updated Long Term Review was presented. The EDA assists EU member states in developing military capabilities and supporting defense cooperation projects.
"We must continue the dialogue with NATO, in particular on the exchange of classified information, to make good use of the EDA-Ukraine Administrative Arrangement, and to update it in line with Ukraine's needs. I am pleased that progress has been made in the implementation of the capability development priorities and that the cooperation opportunities are in line with our national priorities, in particular in the areas of air defense, drone and land force development," Kasciunas was quoted as saying in the statement.
The EDA is involved in the joint procurement of 155 mm ammunition, coordinating requirements and pooling needs.
According to the Defense Ministry, Russia is currently producing three times more artillery shells than Europe and the US are supplying to Ukraine, which is why decisions are needed on the Ukraine Relief Fund and the European Peace Facility's eighth support package.
Kasciunas also welcomed the fact that the EU had managed to agree on the use of windfall revenue generated by frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's defense, adding that this revenue should be used to finance Ukraine's urgent needs, such as air defense systems, artillery ammunition and drones.
Lithuania plans to sign a security agreement with Ukraine and to allocate 0.25 percent of its GDP annually to Ukraine's security and defense, the minister said.
He also signed a memorandum of understanding with Czech Defense Minister Jana Chernokhova on the purchase of artillery ammunition for Ukraine. Lithuania has contributed 35 million euros to the Czech-led international ammunition initiative.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
Upcoming events in Lithuania for Wednesday, May 29, 2024
VILNIUS, May 29, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
PRESIDENT Gitanas Nauseda to attend a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Olympic movement in Lithuania at 6.30 p.m.
SPEAKER OF THE SEIMAS Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen to meet with members of a delegation from Ukraine's Verhkovna Rada at noon.
PRIME MINISTER Ingrida Simonyte to leave for Singapore.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vilnius newsroom
Upcoming events
Our Gallery
