LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN, November 13, 2023

LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

IN THIS ISSUE:

Land cable might replace Harmony Link submarine cable – sources
Lithuania's Litgrid, Poland's PSE mull installing onshore cable instead of Harmony Link
Lithuanian ambassador disregarded instructions at NATO summit, but no sanction proposed
Upcoming events in Lithuania for Monday, November 13, 2023
Lithuanian president to meet with German president, chancellor in Berlin
Lithuanian formin to attend the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council
20 irregular migrants turned away on Lithuania's border with Belarus
Lithuanian Zoo in Kaunas opens after major reconstruction
Lithuania reports 47 new COVID-19 cases, no deaths
Lithuania's MigDep asks to assess Liepa's statements on war, Putin
Lithuanian Democrats' presidential candidate favors at least 3 pct of GDP for defense
Lithuanian defmin meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky
Lithuanian formin says EU's new Russia sanctions package 'quite optimistic'
Lithuania's Litgrid, Poland's PSE mull installing onshore cable instead of Harmony Link (expands)
SocDems, HU-LCD top party ratings in Lithuania – survey
Lithuania nominates 3 candidates for ECHR judge
Lithuanian foreign minister targeted by information attack
Lithuania's Druskininkai plans to build "sea under roof"
NATO jets in Baltics scrambled 4 times over Russian aircraft last week
Lithuania's InterMin asks SSD to check 800 foreigners with citizenship given by exception
Lithuania's priority in intl missions is to train Ukrainian troops – defense chief
InterMin tasks MigDep to initiate proceedings to strip Liepa of Lithuanian citizenship
Lithuania's need for tanks remains despite German decision – army chief
Joint Lithuanian, German SOF exercise held in Vilnius
EP election in Lithuania proposed for June 9
Lithuania ranks 9th in global AML, terrorist financing risk ranking
Lithuanian parlt speaker discusses aid to Ukraine with Pope Francis
Lithuanian ambassador disregarded instructions at NATO summit, but no sanction proposed (expands)
Upcoming events in Lithuania for Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Land cable might replace Harmony Link submarine cable – sources

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – A land cable might be installed between Lithuania and Poland instead of the planned Harmony Link offshore power cable between Poland and Lithuania, the most expensive and largest project that is part of the wide plan to synchronize the Baltic electricity grids with continental Europe, four sources have confirmed to BNS.

Such an alternative could allow having a commercially important electricity link put in place earlier than 2030 and it would be much cheaper to do.

However, such an alternative would require a political agreement between Vilnius and Warsaw and the approval of the European Commission.

The search for a new solution for Harmony Link are not believed to be linked to the incidents in the Baltic Sea in early October when a gas pipeline and a telecommunications cable between Finland and Estonia were damaged.

The search for a cheaper alternative became relevant after contractors' bids for Harmony Link exceeded the 680 million euros budget planned by the Lithuanian and Polish TSOs, Litgrid and PSE, almost 2.5 times, which led to the cancellation of the planned tenders last spring as the TSOs decided against increasing the project's budget, and also agreed to split future tenders and negotiate with the EC on additional funding.

Litgrid CEO Rokas Masiulis earlier told BNS that the Harmony Link HVDC cable would not be completed until the beginning of next decade after it was initially scheduled to be put in place by 2025 and then delayed until 2027-2028.

Lithuanian Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys has recently told BNS that the project could be accelerated by expected "good news" from Brussels.

In the contract signed in May 2020, PSE and Litgrid split the work on the project worth around 680 million euros, with Litgrid responsible for the installation of the HVDC cable in the Baltic Sea, and PSE responsible for the construction of the converter stations in Lithuania and Poland.

By Giedrius Gaidamavičius

Editor: Roma Pakėnienė

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Lithuania's Litgrid, Poland's PSE mull installing onshore cable instead of Harmony Link

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – The Lithuanian and Polish electricity transmission systems operators, Litgrid and PSE, are looking into installing an onshore cable instead of the planned Harmony Link offshore power cable between Poland and Lithuania, the most expensive and largest project that is part of the wide plan to synchronize the Baltic electricity grids with continental Europe, Litgrid officially confirmed on Monday.

Earlier in the day, BNS reported about that, citing four sources.

Such an alternative could allow having a commercially important electricity link put in place earlier than 2030 and it would be much cheaper to do. However, such an alternative would require a political agreement between Vilnius and Warsaw and the approval of the European Commission.

Lithuanian Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys has recently told BNS that the project could be accelerated by expected "good news" from Brussels.

"I don't want to go into details right now, but we are currently talking with the European Commission about various things. Really very intense work is ongoing and I think that probably in one or two months there will be very significant and good news in this area, which might even allow us to say that the interconnection between Poland and Lithuania will be in place by 2028," Kreivys said in an interview to BNS.

Under the contract signed in May 2020, PSE and Litgrid split the work on the project worth around 680 million euros, with Litgrid responsible for the installation of the HVDC cable in the Baltic Sea, and PSE responsible for the construction of the converter stations in Lithuania and Poland.

By Giedrius Gaidamavičius

Editor: Roma Pakėnienė

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Lithuanian ambassador disregarded instructions at NATO summit, but no sanction proposed

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – Lithuania's Ambassador to NATO Deividas Matulionis committed official misconduct when he failed to follow instructions during the Alliance's summit in Vilnius, a Foreign Ministry commission found after a probe, but decided not to recommend any disciplinary sanction on the diplomat.

The commission established that Matulionis "committed official misconduct and failed to follow the ministry's instructions", the Foreign Ministry told BNS on Monday.

"However, in the context of the outcome of the NATO summit, it is difficult to assess the damage caused to the state and therefore the commission does not propose to impose any sanction," it added.

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Upcoming events in Lithuania for Monday, November 13, 2023

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Monday, November 13, 2023:

PRESIDENT Gitanas Nauseda to pay a working visit to Germany.

FOREIGN MINISTER Gabrielius Landsbergis to attend an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels.

THE ARMY

The Lithuanian army's Special Operations Forces and NATO allies to hold an exercise at the Vilnius combined heat and power plant at 11 a.m.

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Lithuanian president to meet with German president, chancellor in Berlin

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda is going to Berlin on Monday to meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

"During the talks between the Lithuanian and German heads of state, topics to be discussed will include bilateral relations, regional security and defense issues, the deployment of the planned German brigade in Lithuania, Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East," the presidential press service said.

Lithuania and Germany started discussing the deployment of a German brigade in Lithuania to strengthen regional security after Russia invaded Ukraine. The brigade's Forward Command Element is currently deployed in Lithuania.

Earlier in November, the German Defense Ministry said the core of the German brigade in Lithuania would consist of two tank battalions, with a third battalion initially consisting of a German-led NATO Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group.

Vilnius plans that the bulk of troops will be deployed in 2026.

During his visit to Germany, Nauseda will take part in a working session organized by Scholz European Council President Charles Michel to discuss the priorities of the EU strategic agenda.

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Lithuanian formin to attend the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis will attend a EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday, held to discuss the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the latest developments concerning Armenia and Azerbaijan, the situation in Israel and the region, as well as the foreign policy dimension of economic security, the Foreign Ministry said.

After the European Commission adopted its 2023 Enlargement Package of November 8, the Council will discuss further steps towards Ukraine’s EU integration.

The European Union's executive body on Wednesday recommended that member states open formal accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and grant candidate status to Georgia.

Moreover, EU measures to strengthen economic and cyber security and counter disinformation will also be discussed.

On November 13, EU ministers will participate in the EU-Western Balkans ministerial meeting after the Council.

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

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – Lithuanian border guards have in the past 24 hours turned away 20 migrants attempting to cross into the country from Belarus illegally, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) said on Monday morning.

Latvia reported 29 attempts at illegal border crossings on Sunday, and 16 irregular migrants were not allowed into Poland on Saturday, according to the latest available information.

A total of 2,322 irregular migrants have been barred from entering Lithuania from Belarus at non-designated places so far this year.

Lithuanian border guards have prevented a total of some 21,600 people from crossing in from Belarus since August 3, 2021, when they were given the right to turn away irregular migrants. The number includes repeated attempts by the same people to cross the border.

The influx of irregular migrants to the EU's eastern member states from Belarus began in 2021 and is blamed by the West on the Minsk regime.

Almost 4,200 irregular migrants crossed into Lithuania from Belarus illegally in 2021. However, the vast majority of them fled Lithuania once they were allowed to move freely.

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Lithuanian Zoo in Kaunas opens after major reconstruction

KAUNAS, Lithuania, Nov 13, BNS - The Lithuanian Zoo in the country's second-largest city of Kaunas opens to the public on Monday after more than two years of renovation.

At the opening ceremony, visitors will be able to see new animals that have arrived at the zoo for the first time.

"I'm sure you've heard about the rhinos as they've been here for a month, and they're really getting used to it. We also have an anteater and the zoo has never had one before. We also have mongoose, damans, various reptiles, birds, cheetahs", Gintare Stankevice, director of the Lithuanian Zoo, said.

The reconstruction covered 80 percent of the zoo and involved the improvement of housing conditions for animals, the construction of seven new buildings, the renovation of the old ones, the refurbishment of the animal enclosures, and the installation of new spaces for visitors and staff. Also the pathways have been tidied up, playgrounds for children have been put in place, and the zoo now has an exotarium with an educational center, and an observation tower with an elevator.

The Lithuanian Zoo has animals of 149 species, more than 50 of which are protected. The number of protected species is set to increase over the next five years.

The Lithuanian Zoo has not undergone major renovation since opening in 1938. The renovation has cost 24 million euros.

By Austėja Masiokaitė-Liubinienė

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Lithuania reports 47 new COVID-19 cases, no deaths

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – Lithuania has recorded 47 new coronavirus infections and no deaths from COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, official statistics showed on Monday morning.

The 14-day primary infection rate has risen to 223.8 cases per 100,000 people, with the seven-day percentage of positive tests at 33.2 percent.

The number of new coronavirus cases hit the peak in Lithuania in early February 2022 when more than 14,000 new infections were recorded daily. Around 1.19 million people in Lithuania have tested positive for COVID-19 at least once.

COVID-19 incidence in Lithuania took an upward turn in mid-September after having stayed at a low level since May.

Some 68.5 percent of people in the country have received at least one coronavirus vaccine jab so far, according to the statistics.

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Lithuania's MigDep asks to assess Liepa's statements on war, Putin

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – Lithuania's Migration Department has asked the competent authorities to assess the recent statements made by Ilze Liepa, a Latvian-born ballet dancer who also has Lithuanian citizenship, about the war in Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"On Friday, the Migration Department sent inquiries to the country's competent authorities, asking them to assess Ilze Liepa's public statements," the Migration Department told BNS on Monday.

If it is established that Liepa's actions pose a threat to national security, the Migration Department will propose to the Interior Ministry to ask the president to strip her of Lithuanian citizenship.

According to the Law on Citizenship, a person is deprived of their Lithuanian citizenship acquired by way of exception if their actions threaten the security interests of Lithuania, if they publicly express their support for a state that threatens the security interests of Lithuania or other European Union member states, or their allies.

In accordance with this provision, President Gitanas Nauseda has recently stripped Russian ice dancer Margarita Drobiazko of her Lithuanian citizenship after she and her Lithuanian husband Povilas Vanagas took part in projects organized by the wife of the Russian president's spokesman.

In an interview with Russian media, Liepa, who holds both Lithuanian and Russian citizenship, condemned the Baltic states for their behavior and expressed her support for Russian President Vladimir Putin's started war in Ukraine, Lithuania's public broadcaster LRT reported on Sunday.

"I have no doubt about what our president says. And while one side says we are brainwashed by the Kremlin, it is everyone's choice. It seems to me that we now understand exactly what it is – a clash of our fundamental values. Unfortunately, Ukraine has become like a fungible currency, and I am very sorry about that," Liepa said.

"I am very ashamed of them (the Baltic states - BNS) and very sad (...). We understand that, unfortunately, the people are being held hostage by a small group of people. We are extremely lucky to have a leader like Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, who serves his homeland, who is faithful to his duty," Liepa replied to a question about the destruction of Soviet monuments in the Baltic states and the restriction of Russian culture.

A daughter of the Soviet-era Latvian ballet dancer Maris Liepa, Ilze Liepa was granted Lithuanian citizenship by way of exception in 2000. It was stated at the time that the Moscow Bolshoi Theater soloist had been granted citizenship for dancing with Lithuanian ballet dancer Peter Skirmantas for more than a decade.

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Lithuanian Democrats' presidential candidate favors at least 3 pct of GDP for defense

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – Giedrimas Jeglinskas, a former NATO official named by the opposition Democratic Union "For Lithuania" as its presidential candidate on Saturday, believes that Lithuania should spend at least 3 percent of GDP on defense.

"Three percent is definitely the minimum," he told reporters in Vilnius on Saturday.

According to Jeglinskas, the defense budget's growth should be financed through sustainable sources.

"We are in a geographical location where we have adversaries, and the aggressor is just around the corner," he said.

The presidential candidate also said that he supports universal conscription into the military service.

Jeglinskas, a former deputy defense minister and NATO assistant secretary general, said that Gitanas Nauseda, the current president, is responsible for the lack of unity in Lithuania's foreign policy and the inability to make key decisions in the parliament or government.

Saulius Skvernelis, leader of the Democratic Union "For Lithuania", did not seek his party's nomination as candidate for next May's presidential election.

Skvernelis told reporters on Saturday that Lithuania currently needs someone who "has real knowledge of the country's defense and security and real military experience".

He emphasized that Jeglinskas has a good education and speaks five foreign languages, making him the "best candidate at this geopolitical stage, when Lithuania is not very safe."

The party's leader said he hopes that although he party's candidate is not well-known to the general public; people will appreciate his competence to serve as president.

By Saulius Jakučionis, Austėja Masiokaitė-Liubinienė

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Lithuanian defmin meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Friday and briefed him on Lithuania's current military assistance and further support plans, the Defense Ministry says, adding that possibilities to jointly develop various defense industry projects were discussed during the meeting.

"Today, I met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Kyiv. We discussed military support and further support plans following the transfer of the NASAMS medium-range air defense system, as well as the demining coalition and possibilities to jointly develop various defense industry projects," Anusauskas posted on Facebook.

Earlier in the day, Lithuania handed over launchers and necessary equipment for the NASAMS medium-range air defense systems to Ukraine.

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

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

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

By Ingrida Steniulienė

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Lithuanian formin says EU's new Russia sanctions package 'quite optimistic'

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on Monday that the EU's new sanctions package against Russia is "pretty good" and makes him "quite optimistic".

"At least from the excerpts I've seen, I'm quite optimistic," he said before the EU Foreign Affairs Council's meeting.

The minister believes that as political discussions on the latest sanctions begin, the final version will "most likely be weaker."

"However, given that considerable time has passed since the last package, it's a pretty good package," he added.

According to Landsbergis, the 12th package of sanctions against Russia covers a number of areas.

"It includes individual sanctions, sectoral sanctions, and sanctions against specific companies," he said.

The EU adopted its 11th package in June, aimed at closing the loopholes for circumventing the existing sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

The bloc then blacklisted a further 87 entities that directly support Russia's military-industrial complex, subjecting them to stricter export restrictions on dual-use goods and advanced technologies.

In mid-October, Poland submitted to the European Commission a proposal for a 12th package of sanctions against Russia. The proposal includes sanctions on Russian diamonds and restrictive measures targeting a broader range of individuals and entities.

Poland's proposal also calls for a ban on the import of liquefied petroleum gas from Russia and the use of Russian information and communication technology services.

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Lithuania's Litgrid, Poland's PSE mull installing onshore cable instead of Harmony Link (expands)

(Updated version: updates throughout)

Earlier in the day, BNS reported about that, citing four sources.

"One of the alternatives the TSOs are looking into is an onshore cable. According to Litgrid's initial assessment, this alternative would reduce the project's budget and allow it to be implemented more quickly," Litgrid said in a statement, adding that an onshore cable would allow using part of the infrastructure of the planned Rail Baltica railway route between Poland and Lithuania.

Nevertheless, Litgrid and PSE are also considering various alternatives to the planned electricity link between Lithuania and Poland, both onshore and offshore, the Lithuanian TSO said.

The two companies are reportedly making preliminary assessments of alternatives, and a decision on the specific route is expected in the first half of 2024.

Lithuanian Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys has recently told BNS that the project could be accelerated by expected "good news" from Brussels.

By Giedrius Gaidamavičius

Editor: Roma Pakėnienė

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SocDems, HU-LCD top party ratings in Lithuania – survey

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS - The opposition Lithuanian Social Democratic Party continues to lead in the political party ratings, followed by the ruling conservative Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats, according to a new Spinter Tyrimai poll for the delfi.lt news website, carried out in October and published on Monday.

15.5 percent supported the LSDP in October, while 10.5 per cent backed the HU-LCD, compared to 13.5 and 9.1 percent respectively in September.

The Liberal Movement, part of the ruling block, comes in third with 7.4 percent, from 7.5 percent in September, followed by the opposition Lithuanian Farmers and Grees Union with 6.5 percent, from 5.6 percent a month earlier.

The opposition Democrats "For Lithuania" enjoyed the support of 5.5 percent last month, up from 5.3 percent in September.

The Freedom Party, another member of the ruling coalition, is next in the political party rankings with 3.5 percent in October, up from 3.4 percent in September.

When asked to name the politician they thought would be the best prime minister, 8.2 percent mentioned LSDP leader Vilija Blinkeviciute, up from 6.8 percent in September.

Incumbent Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte came in second with 8 percent, down from 10.9 percent in September.

65.8 percent of respondents rated the government's performance more or less negatively in October, compared to 67 percent in September.

The poll of 1,011 people was carried out on October 17-28, with a margin of error of 3.1 percent.

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Lithuania nominates 3 candidates for ECHR judge

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – Lithuania is nominating Professor Lyra Jakuleviciene of Mykolas Romeris University, Children's Rights Ombudsperson Edita Ziobiene, and Judge Gediminas Sagatys of the Supreme Court for the position of judge of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), the Justice Ministry said on Monday.

One of the three candidates will be elected as an ECHR judge by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Lithuania's candidates for the ECHR judges are nominated by the government with the approval of the president and after consulting the parliament.

The Justice Ministry said nine candidates had applied for the nomination.

Lithuania's list of three candidates has yet to be assessed by an advisory panel of experts. Also, the candidates will be interviewed by the Committee on the Election of Judges before the PACE vote.

The new judge representing Lithuania will replace outgoing Judge Egidijus Kuris.

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Lithuanian foreign minister targeted by information attack

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – In an information attack against Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, a fake audio recording of Lithuania's top diplomat talking to his Palestinian counterpart on the phone and saying that he will run for presidency next May is circulating online.

Debunk.org, a disinformation analysis center, has told BNS that the recording was generated using artificial intelligence tools. Its authenticity has also been denied by the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry.

In the fake audio, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki "asks" for Lithuanian support for Palestinians living in Gaza and for a humanitarian pause in Israeli attacks.

Landsbergis "replies" that he cannot support Palestine, because his move would draw opposition in Lithuania and raise eyebrows in the EU.

"I won't do this just because you asked me to. Especially given that I intend to run in next year's Lithuanian presidential elections," says the voice purported to be that of the Lithuanian minister.

Al-Maliki "replies" that he can back Landsbergis' "political ambition" in exchange for his support for Palestine.

The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry says the audio recording "does not correspond to reality".

"Minister Landsbergis has not spoken on the phone with the Palestinian minister this year. The Foreign Ministry considers the information disseminated to be an information attack," it said in a comment.

Viktoras Dauksas, head of Debunk.org, also says that the audio recording is a fake generated using AI.

"The recording includes unnatural accelerations and decelerations," he said. "There are also artificially generated unnatural background noises."

Dauksas noted that the recording is being circulated via recently created social media accounts that were previously inactive.

"In terms of risk, this is a very dangerous phenomenon, especially given the upcoming elections. In the context of elections, such manipulations can cause a lot of uproar," the disinformation analysis expert said.

"That was the aim of this audio recording, but it was clearly not achieved," he added.

The expert noted that there might be more such cases in the future with the aim of manipulating the results of Lithuanian elections.

Lithuania is scheduled to hold the next presidential election in May 2024.

By Augustas Stankevičius

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Lithuania's Druskininkai plans to build "sea under roof"

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – Lithuania's southern resort town of Druskininkai plans to build an indoor sea wave pool, known as an "artificial sea" or "sea under the roof", for tens of millions of euros.

The new pool would be situated next to the Snow Arena winter entertainment complex.

Speaking with BNS, Druskininkai Mayor Ricardas Malinauskas said the construction was expected to start in 2024 and would last at least three to four years. The installation of the "sea under the roof" would cost "tens of millions" of euros.

According to the mayor, it would be the only year-round sea wave pool in Europe. Preliminary estimates suggest that at least 5,000 people would be able to visit the pool at the same time.

The project will be implemented by Druskininkai Health and Recreation Center AQUA and be paid with borrowed funds, Malinauskas said.

By Giedrius Gaidamavičius, Goda Vileikytė

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NATO jets in Baltics scrambled 4 times over Russian aircraft last week

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – NATO's fighter jets policing Baltic airspace were last week scrambled four times to identify and escort Russian aircraft flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea in violation of flight rules, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

NATO's jets intercepted an IL-76 transport plane on November 7, an IL-20 attack aircraft on November 9, and two aircraft – an IL-20 and an AN-72 transport plane – on November 10.

Most of the Russian aircraft were transiting international airspace en route from mainland Russia to the Kaliningrad exclave.

Most of them had no pre-filed flight plans and some were not using their onboard transponders. The Russian aircraft were in radio contact with the Regional Traffic Control Center.

The NATO Baltic air policing mission is carried out from air bases in Lithuania and Estonia.

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Lithuania's InterMin asks SSD to check 800 foreigners with citizenship given by exception

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – Lithuania's Interior Ministry on Monday asked the country's State Security Department to check 800 foreigners who have Lithuanian citizenship granted by way of exception.

"Having assessed the situation, journalists' investigation and having identified inappropriate actions of this particular citizen, we today asked the SSD to check them again, namely those 800 persons under the criterion of threat to national security, as well as under the criterion of support for the actions of the aggressor state," Interior Vice Minister Arnoldas Abramavicius told reporters on Monday.

The move comes after Lithuania's public broadcaster LRT reporter on Sunday that Ilze Liepa, a Latvian-born ballet dancer who also has Lithuanian citizenship, slammed the Baltic states for the actions and expressed support to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Interior Ministry tasked the Migration Department to initiated proceedings for stripping Liepa of her Lithuanian citizenship, and the department has also turned to the country's competent authorities, asking them to assess Ilze Liepa's public statements about the war in Ukraine and the Russian president.

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Lithuania's priority in intl missions is to train Ukrainian troops – defense chief

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – Lithuania is set to maintain its focus on missions to train Ukrainian troops when making decisions on sending its military personnel to international operations next year, Chief of Defense General Valdemaras Rupsys said on Monday.

"The main focus of international missions now is on assisting Ukraine. We are taking part in at least two major projects: the UK-led mission for training Ukrainians and that of the European Union," Rupsys told reporters.

"We have clear plans to continue to contribute," he added.

The mandate for international operations and standby missions in 2024-2025 will include more missions in support of Ukraine, according to Rupsys.

"When it comes to a broader geographical context, we plan to continue participating in Operation Atalanta in the Mediterranean," the general said.

"There are also other operations under consideration that may require our contribution in other geographical areas," he said. "I don't want to discuss specifics at the moment; we have decided to analyze and present information."

Rupsys did not rule out that Special Operations Forces personnel might be sent again to international missions.

The mandate for next year's missions was discussed last week by the president-chaired State Defense Council.

The Defense Ministry says 60 troops are currently serving in international missions, noting that their number has been decreased in recent years.

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InterMin tasks MigDep to initiate proceedings to strip Liepa of Lithuanian citizenship

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – Lithuania's Interior Ministry has tasked the country's Migration Department to initiate proceedings to strip Ilze Liepa, a Russian ballet dancer with Latvian roots, of her Lithuanian citizenship granted by way of exception.

"Ilze Liepa's public statements are seen as discrediting the state," the ministry said in a statement sent to BNS on Monday.

The Migration Department has also turned to the competent authorities, asking them to assess Liepa's recent statements about the war in Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"On Friday, the Migration Department sent inquiries to the country's competent authorities, asking them to assess Ilze Liepa's public statements," the Migration Department told BNS on Monday.

Regarding Liepa's citizenship, Nauseda is awaiting the relevant referral from the Interior Ministry and proposals of the Citizenship Commission.

"The president will make a decision as soon as he receives the conclusion of the Citizenship Commission," the presidential office told BNS.

The president also urged the Interior Ministry on Monday check 800 foreigners who have been granted Lithuanian citizenship by way of exception and are also citizens of other countries in terms of their compliance with the Law on Citizenship. The Interior Ministry said on Monday it had asked the State Security Department to do that.

In her recent interview with Russian media, Liepa, who holds both Lithuanian and Russian citizenship, condemned the Baltic states for their behavior and expressed her support for Russian President Vladimir Putin's started war in Ukraine, Lithuania's public broadcaster LRT reported on Sunday.

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Lithuania's need for tanks remains despite German decision – army chief

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS - Despite Germany's decision to have a tank battalion within the planned German brigade to be deployed in Lithuania, Lithuania's own need for this military equipment remains, Chief of Defense Valdemaras Rupsys says.

"Lithuania's need for tanks and other heavy weapons has not gone anywhere," the general told reporters in Vilnius on Monday. "Without tanks, we could only close ourselves off in a trench, because we would not be able to carry out maneuver defense."

He was speaking after Berlin announced that the core of the planned German brigade to be deployed in Lithuania would consist of tank and mechanized infantry battalions. The third maneuver battalion would initially consist of a German-led NATO battalion battle group already in Lithuania.

"An artillery battalion with self-propelled howitzers, communications and headquarters units, air defense units, reconnaissance units, and a logistics battalion will be deployed alongside the two battalions," the army chief said.

In total, the plan is to have more than 5,000 German troops deployed in Lithuania.

Meanwhile, Lithuania aims to create an army division by 2030, and it would include a tank battalion.

Next year's draft budget includes more than 2 billion euros in defense funding, which is around 2.71 percent of the country's GDP. However, part of this will come from the existing temporary bank solidarity levy. Some politicians, including the president, criticize the government and say there are no funds for the planned creation of a division.

Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas says strengthening of the existing capabilities is also linked to the creation of the planned division that will be based on them.

For his part, Rupsys refrained to comment on this issue in detail on Monday.

"I make a recommendation, identify a need, and politicians decide whether to fund it or not. If we see that the funding is insufficient, we will have to limit our needs," Rupsys said. "I don't want to speak for politicians. The need has been identified. This is a complex issue, but the army will always be short of money."

Lithuania has approached Germany about the possible purchase of Leopard tanks.

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Joint Lithuanian, German SOF exercise held in Vilnius

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – A joint exercises involving the Lithuanian and German Special Operations Forces was held in Vilnius on Monday as troops trained to storm critical infrastructure, Third Thermal Power Plant (TE-3), occupied by hostile forces

"Several teams stormed the facility. Above, one team arrived on helicopters and entered the building through he roof. Another team moved on the ground and entered from the bottom," an SOP soldier said on condition of anonymity, adding that interaction with the German troops was successful "synchronized, timely and efficient".

The exercise involved snipers, military dog handlers, SOF and Airbus H145 helicopters.

The exercise started on October 30 and will continue until November 10.

Germany is now leading a multinational NATO battalion in Lithuania and plans to deployed a brigade in Lithuania over the upcoming years.

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EP election in Lithuania proposed for June 9

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – The European Parliament election in Lithuania is proposed for June 9, according to a draft resolution registered by Speaker of the Seimas Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, expected to be submitted to the Seimas for consideration on Tuesday.

The Council of the European Union has confirmed that European Parliament elections in EU member states will be held on June 6-9, 2024.

According to the Electoral Code, EP elections in Lithuania are held on the Sunday during the same EP election period in all EU member states.

EP elections are announced and their dates are set by the Seimas no later than six months before the Sunday in question.

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Lithuania ranks 9th in global AML, terrorist financing risk ranking

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS - Lithuania has dropped one notch down in the global AML and terrorist financing risk ranking this year and is ninth among 152 countries with 3.47 points (3.43 points in 2022), according to the Swiss-based Basel Institute of Governance.

In the EU and Western Europe group, Lithuania dropped from the seventh to eighth place among 34 countries this year, according to the 2023 Basel Anti-Money Laundering Index report.

Latvia is ranked 21st globally with a score of 4 points (18th in 2022, 3.96 points) and 17th in Europe (15th). Estonia is ranked third in both the European and global rankings with 3 points (it was not ranked in 2022 due to insufficient data for the assessment).

Iceland (2.87 points) and Finland (2.96 points) top both global and EU-Western Europe ranking, and Bulgaria is at the bottom in Europe with 5.16 points and is 78th worldwide.

Lithuania reached her highest position in 2018 when it scored 3.12 and was third in the world and Europe. Estonia was then ranked second (2.73 points) and Latvia 13th (3.98 points). 129 countries were assessed in 2018.

The Basel AML Index is an independent annual ranking that assesses the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing worldwide. It has been published since 2012 and includes data from 17 publicly available information sources such as the Financial Action Task Force, the World Bank and the World Economic Forum.

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Lithuanian parlt speaker discusses aid to Ukraine with Pope Francis

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, speaker of the Seimas, met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Monday to discuss relations between Lithuania and the Holy See, the role of the Catholic Church, and aid to Ukrainian war refugees, the parliament's press office said.

"Grateful for the audience with His Holiness Pope Francis. His call to end war resonates deeply. Lithuania values the Holy See's support, prayers for Ukraine, and aid to war refugees. Let's unite for a world free from aggression," Cmilyte-Nielsen posted on the X social media platform after the meeting.

She said in a press release that "recently, Pope Francis transferred 100,000 euros to Caritas Lithuania for the needs of refugees".

The parliamentary speaker underlined Lithuania's call on the international community to support President Volodymyr Zelensky's peace plan.

"If Ukraine does not win, war may come to Lithuania one day," she warned.

During the meeting, the speaker said that Lithuania and the Holy See have a special relationship, with one of the most significant moments illustrating the Vatican's support for the country being its non-recognition of Soviet occupation and its role in the fall of the regime, according to the press release.

"Our people saw the Pope's visit in 2018 as an exceptional sign of support for Lithuania on the occasion of our 100th anniversary of statehood restoration," said Cmilyte-Nielsen.

"Last year, we celebrated the centenary of the Holy See's de jure recognition of Lithuania, an important occasion that strengthened the ties between our nation and the Catholic Church," she added.

On Sunday, Cmilyte-Nielsen attended a reception to mark the Feast of St. Josaphat.

The speaker of the Seimas also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state.

She was also scheduled to meet with Riccardo Paterno di Montecupo, Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta, and to visit the Pontifical Gregorian University, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, and the Lithuanian chapel in Rome's Campo Verano Cemetery.

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Lithuanian ambassador disregarded instructions at NATO summit, but no sanction proposed (expands)

The commission established that Matulionis "committed official misconduct and failed to follow the ministry's instructions", the Foreign Ministry told BNS on Monday.

"However, in the context of the outcome of the NATO summit, it is difficult to assess the damage caused to the state and therefore the commission does not propose to impose any sanction," it added.

The diplomat did not comment on the situation to BNS on Monday.

The Delfi news website reported in August that the investigation had been launched due to concerns that the diplomat might have failed to adhere to the mandate given by the state authorities, potentially weakening Lithuania's negotiating position during the talks on the Vilnius summit's documents.

According to Delfi, the probe centered around Matulionis' actions during the negotiations on the NATO communiqué and the wording on the deployment of the German brigade in Lithuania.

President Gitanas Nauseda has said that he has confidence in the ambassador, emphasizing the complexity of the talks during the NATO summit in Vilnius.

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Upcoming events in Lithuania for Tuesday, November 14, 2023

VILNIUS, Nov 13, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Tuesday, November 14, 2023:

THE SEIMAS' plenary sittings to start at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

A joint commission of the Seimas and the Lithuanian World Community to hold meetings at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND SPORT MINISTER Gintautas Jakstas to meet with Cornelius Zimmermann, Germany's ambassador to Lithuania, at 3 p.m.

FOREIGN MINISTER Gabrielius Landsbergis to take part in meetings in Brussels.

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Nov 15 2023

LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

IN THIS ISSUE:

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

Upcoming events in Lithuania for Friday, November 10, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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Lithuanian formin to meet with his Czech counterpart Jan Lipavsky

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

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

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

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

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

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

A total of 2,252 irregular migrants have been barred from entering Lithuania from Belarus at non-designated places so far this year.

The influx of irregular migrants to the EU's eastern member states from Belarus began in 2021 and is blamed by the West on the Minsk regime.

Almost 4,200 irregular migrants crossed into Lithuania from Belarus illegally in 2021. However, the vast majority of them fled Lithuania once they were allowed to move freely.

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Lithuanian presidential office to host fifth Forum of Regions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Seimas of Lithuania hosting conference on violence against women and children

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Lithuanian formin hopes Latvia's LGBTQI decision will impact Seimas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Lithuania, China in talks to normalize diplomatic relations – minister

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Augustas Stankevičius

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Vilnius-Riga train service should be launched on Dec 27

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Lithuania hands over anti-drones, generators to Ukraine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Valdas Pryšmantas

Editor: Roma Pakėnienė

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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British fighter jets involved in intl exercise in Lithuania

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Roma Pakėnienė

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Lithuania hands over NASAMS missile launchers, equipment to Ukraine

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

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

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

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

The support was taken to Ukraine by the Lithuanian army.

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Person suspected of incitement to terrorism detained in Lithuania

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Ingrida Steniulienė

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Nov 15 2023

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