LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. Upcoming events in Lithuania for Tuesday, September 3, 2024
2. Lithuania records no illegal border crossings from Belarus for 3rd straight day
3. Lithuanian parliament convenes to consider Kubilius for European commissioner
4. Lithuanian military academy to open drone competence center 
5. EU commission's defense portfolio would be 'very good' for Lithuania – presidential aide 
6. Lithuanian president on rising immigration: 'time to rein in the horses' (corrects)
7. Zemaitaitis' Jew statements must be taken into account during coalition formation -Nauseda
8. Zemaitaitis on talks about blocking him from power: let's wait for election results
9. Israeli president expected in Lithuania when Middle East tensions ease – presidential aide
10. I won’t shy away from any responsibilities – Lithuania's EC candidate Kubilius
11. Kubilius can realistically get EC defense portfolio – Landsbergis
12. Turkey's bid to join BRICS undermines trust in Ankara – Lithuanian foreign minister 
13. Lithuania slams ICC member Mongolia over Putin's visit amid issued arrest warrant
14. AfD's success in Germay is due to pandemic, war, inflation – Lithuanian formin
15. Lithuania legalizes home-distilled vodka production at rural tourism homesteads
16. Lithuania needs state-managed 2nd pillar pension fund – c.banker
17. Lithuania's SSD warns about fake calls from Migration Department
18. Lithuanian MPs observe minute of silence to honor victims of Russian attack on Ukraine
19. Lithuanian parliament approves Kubilius for European commissioner
20. Upcoming events in Lithuania for Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Upcoming events in Lithuania for Tuesday, September 3, 2024

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Tuesday, September 3.

PRESIDENT Gitanas Nauseda to travel to Poland to meet with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda, to attend Lithuanian-Polish defense industry, academic forums.

DEFENSE MINISTER Laurynas Kasciunas to attend the opening a drone center of excellence at 12.30 p.m.

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Lithuania records no illegal border crossings from Belarus for 3rd straight day

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – Lithuanian border guards recorded no attempts to cross into the country from Belarus illegally for the third day in a row on Monday, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) said on Tuesday morning.

Latvia reported 41 attempts at illegal border crossings on Monday, and 71 irregular migrants were not allowed into Poland on Sunday, according to the latest available information.

A total of 466 irregular migrants have been barred from entering Lithuania from Belarus at non-designated places so far this year, a much lower number than in previous years.

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 more than 22,300 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.

 

 

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Lithuanian parliament convenes to consider Kubilius for European commissioner

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – The Lithuanian parliament is holding an extraordinary session on Tuesday to consider MEP Andrius Kubilius' nomination for the country's European commissioner.

The former prime minister from the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats is being proposed for the post after President Gitanas Nauseda rejected the candidacy of Gabrielius Landsbergis, the conservative party's leader. 

Kubilius was re-elected to the European Parliament for a second term this year.

The politician, who has served as an MEP since 2019, is a strong advocate for closer ties between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries, increased support for Ukraine, and a tougher stance toward the Kremlin.  

Lithuania's candidate for the European Commission is formally proposed by the government, but the nomination requires approval from both the president and the Seimas.

The candidate also requires the endorsement of the European Commission president and the European Parliament.

If Kubilius is appointed to the Commission, his MEP seat will go to Liudas Mazylis, the next candidate on the HU-LCD list. 

During the extraordinary session, the parliament is also expected to decide whether to allow farmers to produce and sell alcoholic beverages on their rural tourism homesteads. 

The agenda also includes the presentation of several other proposals related to the public broadcaster LRT, the removal of taxes on military aid, and the expansion of the Siauliai Free Economic Zone.

The parliament's regular fall session is scheduled to open on September 10.

 

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Lithuanian military academy to open drone competence center 

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – The General Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania is opening an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Competence Center in Vilnius on Tuesday.

A drone training classroom will also be unveiled during the event, according to the Defense Ministry. 

It said earlier that the center will be open to civilians who want to learn how to operate unmanned aircraft.

The center aims to offer civilian drone operation courses to around one thousand people each year.

Lithuania has started to focus more on drones amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, where both sides are using UAVs for various tasks ranging from reconnaissance to destroying enemy targets.

 

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EU commission's defense portfolio would be 'very good' for Lithuania – presidential aide 

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS –The European Commission's defense portfolio would be "very good" for Lithuania, President Gitanas Nauseda's chief foreign policy advisor said on Tuesday.

"It's probably too early to say what portfolio we'll get, but the defense portfolio would be very good," Asta Skaisgiryte told the Ziniu Radijas radio station.

"Both EU enlargement and defense are areas that are very close to us," she said. "Enlargement (is very important) because we are passionate supporters of enlargement, particularly when it comes to Ukraine and Moldova." 

MEP Andrius Kubilius, Lithuania's likely nominee for the Commission, also said after last Friday's meeting with Nauseda that the country could receive portfolios related to security, defense, or EU enlargement.

"The defense portfolio will be completely new in this European Commission and newly created because life dictates the need for a European commissioner who will primarily focus on and promote the development of the European defense industry," Skaisgiryte said.

The Lithuanian parliament is holding an extraordinary session on Tuesday to vote on Kubilius' candidacy for the Commission. Nauseda has already endorsed his nomination. 

The former prime minister from the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats is being proposed for the post after President Gitanas Nauseda rejected the candidacy of Gabrielius Landsbergis, the conservative party's leader. 

Kubilius, who has served as an MEP since 2019, was re-elected to the European Parliament for a second term this year.

Lithuania's candidate for the European Commission is formally proposed by the government, but the nomination requires approval from both the president and the Seimas.

 

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Lithuanian president on rising immigration: 'time to rein in the horses' (corrects)

(corrects the headline and the lead)

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – President Gitanas Nauseda believes that the number of immigrants in Lithuania has reached a point where it is "time to rein in the horses".

"From my viewpoint, uncontrolled immigration is first and foremost a national security issue. So, (...) failure to control immigration given the demographic hole we are in now could lead to outcomes none of us want," Nauseda told the public broadcaster LRT's program Forumas on Monday evening.

"While I understand in principle that employers need labor, increased productivity and business expansion, I would support a strict quota system," he added.

Nauseda noted that after Belarus' fraudulent presidential election in 2020 and the ensuing persecution of opponents, the number of immigrants in Lithuania has surged and "has reached a critically high level relative to our total population".

"Therefore, it is really time for us to rein in the horses, because (...) immigration is a pressing issue, and, as you can see from Germany's example, it can even affect election results," he said.  

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which advocates a deportation program for irregular immigrants, won its first regional elections on Sunday. 

Nauseda expects a new law setting a quota for third-country nationals coming to Lithuania to help tighten the country's immigration policy. The parliament passed the law in June.

"The adopted decisions – admittedly, they will come into force in 2026 and perhaps it makes sense to consider bringing the date forward – set a 1.4 percent quota, which would effectively mean about 40,000 working immigrants, even though the current number of immigrants who have jobs is around 120,000," the president said. 

"I would consider this a certain tightening of immigration policy that is in line with the mentioned national security narrative I previously mentioned, but we have to apply it consistently and make no exceptions," he added.

The amendments to the law regulating the status of foreign nationals in Lithuania also stipulate that only individuals with a temporary residence permit can work legally in the country. 

The new legislation also imposes an obligation on employers to provide information on foreign employees' qualifications and work experience.

 

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Zemaitaitis' Jew statements must be taken into account during coalition formation -Nauseda

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – The statements of Remigijus Zemaitaitis, the controversial leader of the Dawn of the Nemunas (Nemuno Ausra) party, about Jews will have to be taken into account when forming a ruling coalition as one of Lithuania's key partners, Germany, is sensitive about this issue, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda says.

"(...) the person's statements about Jewish people are causing huge problems and it's causing huge problems for his acceptance into the coalition," the president told the public broadcaster LRT's Forum, when asked about the Dawn of the Nemunas' chances of joining the new ruling coalition after the upcoming general elections.

"And not only because Lithuania has always been known as a country where different nations coexist in a friendly and tolerant manner, but these signals, these statements, these seemingly innocent jokes and rhymes have gone very far. They have gone to those partners whose support is extremely important to us, I mean Germany. They have reached those partners whose support is very important for us, I mean Germany. This is a terrible stigma in Germany," Nauseda said.

If Zemaitaitis gets into power, Lithuania's partners will want "to get very clear answers as to what this party and the statements of its chairman are about". 

"Those jokes were not so innocent and they will have to be taken into account when the ruling coalition will be formed," he stressed.

Vilija Blinkeviciute, leader of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, earlier did not rule out forming a post-election coalition with the Dawn of the Nemunas.

On Monday, the president also said that Zemaitaitis' political team's stance on Russia and Belarus was still unclear.

"First of all, it is very important for me to know what this party's stance on our eastern neighbor. It is hard to get an impression yet. If we take a look at Zemaitaitis' team, it's really uninspiring, to say the least. Zemaitaitis himself, during the presidential election campaign, was quite restrained and moderate in his approach to both issues of supporting Ukraine and Russia. So it would be impossible to draw unambiguous conclusions at this point," Nauseda said.

The president believes the political forces that will form the ruling majority will have to take the responsibility for these things.

"I cannot answer for the parties that will form the ruling coalition. But if one asks for my opinion, the situation will certainly have to be taken into account. We may have a political stalemate, and this is possible," he said.

Nauseda urged Zemaitaitis to admit his mistake regarding his anti-Semitic remarks.

"I would like, first of all, for this party to use the time left before the election to refute all the things it said before. This can be done, it is possible to admit and say that I was wrong, and this could partially correct the situation, although, as I said, things have gone quite far," the president said.

Earlier this year, Lithuania's Constitutional Court ruled that Zemaitaitis broke his oath as an MP and violated the Constitution by making anti-Semitic statements. He avoided impeachment by resigning from the Seimas in April.

In his Facebook posts in June 2023, Zemaitaitis expressed anger over Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte's visit to Israel and accused Jews of deporting and killing Lithuanians. Commenting on the news of Israel's demolition of a Palestinian school, he likened Israel to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is waging war in Ukraine, and quoted an anti-Semitic folk counting-out rhyme. 

Zemaitaitis denied that his statements were anti-Semitic, but the Constitutional Court ruled that they "contain, among other things, degrading descriptions of people belonging to an ethnically distinct group, and quote a counting-out rhyme (...) depicting violence against Jewish people, mocking them".

The court stated that by using such descriptions, quotes and statements that incite intolerance between ethnic minorities and deny the Holocaust, the politician demonstrated hatred toward an ethnically distinct group.

Zemaitaitis' criminal case on his anti-Semitic remarks has been referred to Vilnius Regional Court.

Founded by Zemaitaitis in November 2023, the Dawn of the Nemunas is running for parliament for the first time in October. The party has almost 3,000 members.

A Spinter Tyrimai poll showed in early August that the party came in second as 10.2 percent said they would vote for the party in the general election.

Also, Zemaitaitis ran for president in May and came in fourth with 9.21 percent of the vote

The Seimas election in Lithuania will take place on October 13.

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Zemaitaitis on talks about blocking him from power: let's wait for election results

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – As some politicians in Lithuania, including President Gitanas Nauseda, are discussing Remigijus Zemaitaitis' Dawn of the Nemunas party's chances of working in the future government, the politician says one should wait for the Seimas election results.

"I am glad that the president cares about the life of Zemaitaitis, an ordinary boy who came to Vilnius from the countryside. I am very proud of that, but I find it very strange as we still have 40 days until October 13," Zemaitaitis told BNS on Tuesday.

"It is very interesting how they are putting the coalition together here and know who will be in the coalition. I wish that everybody just took a breather and waited to see what the nation and the people decide, and when the nation decides, we will talk then," Zemaitaitis said.

His comment came in response to Nauseda's statement on the LRT's Forum on Monday that the statements of Zemaitaitis, the controversial leader of the Dawn of the Nemunas (Nemuno Ausra) party, about Jews would have to be taken into account when forming a ruling coalition as one of Lithuania's key partners, Germany, is sensitive about this issue.

"I got a scare yesterday and started looking whether the Constitution of Lithuania had not been abolished, thinking when did they incorporated Lithuania into Germany. (...) I expect an official answer from the German Foreign Ministry as to whether they have given the German ambassador the power of putting pressure on the president of our country regarding Remigijus Zemaitaitis," the politician said, pointing out that the Lithuanian Constitution prohibits foreign interference in internal affairs.

On Monday, the president also recommended that Zemaitaitis admit his mistake for his anti-Semitic remarks and apologize.

"The president's advice is very good, but I have nothing to apologize for. I was talking about members of the KGB and the NKVD (the repressive structures in the Soviet Union - BNS), and if someone doesn't understand that, that's their problem and their business," Zemaitaitis told BNS.

Earlier this year, Lithuania's Constitutional Court ruled that Zemaitaitis broke his oath as an MP and violated the Constitution by making anti-Semitic statements. He avoided impeachment by resigning from the Seimas in April.

In his Facebook posts in June 2023, Zemaitaitis expressed anger over Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte's visit to Israel and accused Jews of deporting and killing Lithuanians. Commenting on the news of Israel's demolition of a Palestinian school, he likened Israel to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is waging war in Ukraine, and quoted an anti-Semitic folk counting-out rhyme. 

Zemaitaitis' criminal case on his anti-Semitic remarks has been referred to Vilnius Regional Court.

Founded by Zemaitaitis in November 2023, the Dawn of the Nemunas is running for parliament for the first time in October. The party has almost 3,000 members.

A Spinter Tyrimai poll showed in early August that the party came in second as 10.2 percent said they would vote for the party in the general election.

Also, Zemaitaitis ran for president in May and came in fourth with 9.21 percent of the vote

The Seimas election in Lithuania will take place on October 13.

By Jūratė Skėrytė

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Israeli president expected in Lithuania when Middle East tensions ease – presidential aide

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Lithuania is still being planned but could take place after tensions in the Middle East subside, Asta Skaisgiryte, President Gitanas Nauseda's chief foreign policy advisor said on Tuesday. 

"His visit is still on our agenda, but we want the situation in the Middle East to calm down a bit," Skaisgiryte told the Ziniu Radijas radio station. 

"That would definitely provide a better backdrop for the Israeli president's visit, because it is still very tense there now," she added.

According to diplomatic sources, Herzog's visit to Lithuania was initially planned for June but was then postponed to the fall.

Skaisgiryte said that no specific date for the visit has yet been set.

According to information available to BNS, Herzog had earlier planned to visit all three Baltic states.

The last Israeli president to visit Lithuania was Shimon Peres in 2013.

In recent months, Israel has had difficulty rallying global support for its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, with Western allies pressing the Jewish state to reach a ceasefire deal.

The international community is concerned about Israel's use of disproportionate force in the conflict, civilian casualties, and the humanitarian situation in the world's most densely populated area.

Israel, however, insists that it aims to eradicate the terrorist organization and claims that Hamas uses civilians as human shields.

According to the Health Ministry of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, more than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the Palestinian territory.

Israel launched its offensive in the Gaza Strip last October after Hamas carried out a surprise attack in the southern part of the country, killing almost 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

By Saulius Jakučionis

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I won’t shy away from any responsibilities – Lithuania's EC candidate Kubilius

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – Ex-Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, who is being nominated as the country's candidate for a European commissioner, says he would not shy away from any responsibilities if he is appointed a member of the European Commission.

"Having served as prime minister of Lithuania twice and having earned the title of the crisis prime minister, I am not afraid of any jobs and responsibilities that may arise if I become an European commissioner," Kubilius told lawmakers on Tuesday.

In his words, both Lithuania and he personally have unique experience in security issues and EU enlargement, and he hopes that Lithuania will get the security, defense and enlargement portfolio.

Kubilius said he had discussed with President Gitanas Nauseda the possibility of seeking responsibility for these areas in the EC.

"In security and defense matters in the Eastern European area, we as a country have unique experience and in these matters and we can bring the most added value in strengthening the security of the EU as a whole and, at the same time, strengthening our own security," Kubilius said.

Europe is currently facing a new and deep geopolitical security crisis, he said, and it is time to boost its defense potential "by finally starting to build a real European defense union".

Quoting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Kubilius said that Eu enlargement is the bloc's core interest.

"Ursula von der Leyen has very importantly and rightly stressed that the next five years and what the European Union succeeds or fails to do in security matters will determine the future of the EU and its place in the world for the next five decades," Kubilius pointed out.

For her part, Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, who presented Kubilius as the EC candidate to the Seimas on Tuesday, spoke about his experience and competence, saying that very few counties have such highly qualified and professional EC candidates.

"I think that Andrius Kubilius is a candidate who can objectively qualify for practically any portfolio, bearing in mind that his position of a former prime minister seems to suggest that there are very few areas of life in which a prime minister does not need experience, a certain level of competence, knowledge and the ability to deal with issues in that specific area," Simonyte said.

On Tuesday, the Seimas is holding an extraordinary session on Kubilius' nomination.

The former prime minister from the conservative Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats is being proposed for the post after President Gitanas Nauseda rejected the candidacy of Gabrielius Landsbergis, the HU-LCD leader. 

Kubilius was re-elected to the European Parliament for a second term this year.

The politician, who has served as an MEP since 2019, is a strong advocate for closer ties between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries, increased support for Ukraine, and a tougher stance toward the Kremlin.

Lithuania's candidate for the European Commission is formally proposed by the government, but the nomination requires approval from both the president and the Seimas.

If Kubilius is appointed to the Commission, his MEP seat will go to Liudas Mazylis, the next candidate on the HU-LCD list. 

By Jūratė Skėrytė

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Kubilius can realistically get EC defense portfolio – Landsbergis

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – Ex-Lithuanian Prime Minister and now MEP Andrius Kubilius can realistically get the EU defense commissioner's portfolio if he is nominated as Lithuania's EC candidate, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis says.

"I think it's realistic. As far as I know, Andrius Kubilius himself is actively negotiating for that position," Landsbergis told journalists at the Seimas on Tuesday, when asked about the Lithuanian candidate's chances of being put in charge of defense matters.

"I actually think this is the best situation when a person is able to stand up for themselves. When there is no one else to do it and, well, I am really optimistic," he added.

Landsbergis believes EC portfolios related to foreign policy and defense would be most in Lithuania's interests.

Asta Skaisgiryte, an advisor to President Gitanas Nauseda, also told the Ziniu Radijas news radios earlier in the day that Lithuania would be very happy with the EC defense portfolio.

Speaking later in the parliament, Kubilius also mentioned this area of responsibility.

"In security and defense matters in the Eastern European area, we as a country have unique experience and in these matters and we can bring the most added value in strengthening the security of the EU as a whole and, at the same time, strengthening our own security," Kubilius said.

On Tuesday, the Seimas is holding an extraordinary session on Kubilius' nomination.

The former prime minister from the conservative Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats is being proposed for the post after President Gitanas Nauseda rejected Landsbergis as the country's candidate.

Kubilius was re-elected to the European Parliament for a second term this year.

The politician, who has served as an MEP since 2019, is a strong advocate for closer ties between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries, increased support for Ukraine, and a tougher stance toward the Kremlin.

Lithuania's candidate for the European Commission is formally proposed by the government, but the nomination requires approval from both the president and the Seimas.

By Jūratė Skėrytė, Paulius Perminas

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Turkey's bid to join BRICS undermines trust in Ankara – Lithuanian foreign minister 

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – Turkey's application to join the BRICS group of emerging-market nations undermines trust in Ankara, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on Tuesday. 

"(The decision) is difficult to understand. Clearly, trust in that country will certainly diminish," Landsbergis told reporters. 

"Questions have already been raised about how we reconcile positions within the (NATO) Alliance between countries that support Ukraine and those that are pro-Russian. All this undermines trust," he added. 

Landsbergis' comment came after Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing sources, that Turkey has formally asked to join BRICS "as it seeks to bolster its global influence and forge new ties beyond its traditional Western allies". 

According to the sources, Turkey submitted its application to join BRICS "some months ago amid frustration over a lack of progress in its decades-old bid to join the European Union". 

The news agency said that the group's further enlargement could be discussed during a summit in Russia in October.

Brazil, Russia, India and China are the founding members of BRICS, with South Africa joining later. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joined the bloc earlier this year.

 Asta Skaisgiryte, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda's chief foreign policy advisor, said on Tuesday that "BRICS is not really an organization, but rather a group of countries."

According to Skaisgiryte, what unites the BRICS countries is their desire to show that they are growing future geopolitical players. 

"I believe that Turkey's bid to join BRICS is aimed at showing that it wants to be a regional geopolitical player and seeks a certain level of visibility," she told the Ziniu Radijas radio station. 

The group primarily focuses on economic cooperation, expanding multilateral trade, and development.

Turkey, a NATO member, has sought to maintain good relations with both Moscow and Kyiv during Russia's more than two-year war against Ukraine, positioning itself as an important mediator and potential peacemaker.

 

By Paulius Perminas

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Lithuania slams ICC member Mongolia over Putin's visit amid issued arrest warrant

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS - As Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his visit to Mongolia, a member of the International Criminal Court, on Tuesday, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis says Lithuania has criticized Ulaanbaatar over the visit.

"This is yet another example of another crack in the system based on international law," the foreign minister told reporters on Tuesday.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin last year on war crimes charges, including the illegal deportation of hundreds of Ukrainian children since Moscow launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The warrant means that Putin should be arrested in any country recognizing ICC rulings, but Ulaanbaatar is ignoring it.

"This is totally unacceptable and Lithuania has expressed its displeasure to representatives of the Mongolian government. I think this is not the last appeal," the minister stressed. "The Nordic and Baltic countries are still coordinating a joint statement within the EU."

Ukraine has reacted very negatively to Putin's trip and accused Mongolia of bearing part of the responsibility for the Russian president's war crimes because Mongolian officers failed to detain him at the airport. 

Kyiv has also called on the Mongolian authorities to execute the arrest warrant, and the ICC said last week that all its member countries must detain those wanted by the court.

The Mongolian government is yet to comment on the calls for Putin's arrest.

However, a spokesman for Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh denied reports on Sunday on social media that the ICC had sent a letter requesting the warrant to be executed upon Putin's arrival.

"Pressure from the public and the international community is the only remedy," Landsbergis stressed.

Russia does not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction.

By Paulius Perminas

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AfD's success in Germay is due to pandemic, war, inflation – Lithuanian formin

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS - The victory of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in regional elections was down to the pandemic, Russia's war in Ukraine, inflation and other factors, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis says.

"First of all, what we are observing now is a European trend and it is has to do with many elements," the minister told reporters on Tuesday. "It has to do with the pandemic, then there is the war, inflation, Russian disinformation, a lot of other things, and maybe sometimes a lack of strategic leadership," he noted.

In Sunday's election in Thuringia, the AfD won around 33 percent of the vote, and came in second in the neighboring Saxony.

Germany's most popular daily Bild described the results as a "political earthquake".

However, the AfD is unlikely to come to power as all other parties have ruled out forming a ruling majority with it, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called on the main parties to keep the AfD out of power.

"There is basically a sanitary cordon for the AfD, preventing a party with anti-Semitic statements, pro-Russian, pro-Chinese statements from becoming part of the government," the minister said. 

However, according to Landsbergis, there is no similar unification trend in Lithuania.

"This is why it seems to me that, looking at Lithuanian politics, we are not yet European enough to be able to say that. So that we do not have political forces - anti-Semitic, pro-Russian, anti-Ukrainian forces that are openly against our strategic direction as a country – in our government," he stressed.

"There is a good chance that Zemaitaitis will score well. Clearly, he enjoys the support of radical forces, but the question is what other political forces will do about it," Landsbergis underlined.

Vilija Blinkeviciute, leader of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, has hinted that she would not rule out forming a ruling coalition with the Dawn of the Nemunas (Nemuno Ausra), the party led by controversial politician Remigijus Zemaitaitis.

The Constitutional Court earlier this year ruled that Zemaitaitis broke his oath as an MP and violated the Constitution by making anti-Semitic statements. He avoided impeachment by resigning from the Seimas in April.

By Paulius Perminas

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Lithuania legalizes home-distilled vodka production at rural tourism homesteads

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – The Lithuanian parliament on Tuesday approved legislation allowing farmers providing rural tourism services to produce traditional home-distilled vodka.

The amendments to the Law on Alcohol Control were passed with 63 votes in favor, 15 against, and 22 abstentions.

The amended law defines a traditional alcoholic beverage made by a farmer as one with up to 65 percent alcohol by volume. It must be recognized as a national heritage product and produced by a farmer offering rural tourism services.

The legislation allows farmers to produce up to 100 liters of such a beverage per year, but it can only be used for personal or family needs or for on-site tasting. The drink cannot be sold or transported, and the equipment used must be marked with an identification number.

MP Vilius Semeska of the ruling conservative Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats said that the amendments finally legalize the production of traditional alcoholic beverages in Lithuania, which are currently only available illegally at regional festivals.

"Producers have to hide; they can be penalized. While the regulation is quite strict, it is beneficial for the regions and rural areas," he told the parliament.  

Agne Sirinskiene, a non-attached MP, criticized the amendments as contradicting the objectives of the Law on Alcohol Control.

"It is pathetic that the conservatives measure the level of civilization in a state by whether or not you can make strong alcohol at home," she said.

Meanwhile, MP Eugenijus Gentvilas of the Liberal Movement described the amendments as the "legalization of cultural and gastronomic heritage."

The parliamentary Committee on Economics said in early July that the European Commission did not object to the proposal to legalize the production of home-distilled vodka at rural tourism homesteads, as it did not provide any comments or a detailed opinion.

 

Editor: Roma Pakėnienė

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Lithuania needs state-managed 2nd pillar pension fund – c.banker

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – Lithuania needs a state-managed second-pillar pension fund to compete against private pension funds, Gediminas Simkus, board chairman of the central Bank of Lithuania, says.

Moreover, he says, the state should not make its own contribution to such a fund as this should be done by employers.

For his part, Social Security and Labor Minister Vytautas Silinskas believes the existing pension system should be reformed to achieve this, adding that the issue is worth discussing.

Simkus says people could be automatically enrolled in the state fund, which would increase market competition.

"We need a state capital fund in one form or another. If we are talking about automatic enrollment, it should involve the state fund, not the private business. And private businesses should compete by offering better, cheaper, more efficient, more profitable services, if the state can do it. And if it can't, then they can't," Simkus said during a discussion on pension saving at the Seimas on Tuesday, adding that employers should also contribute to pension saving.

"The state should not spend its own funds to support the second pillar. In principle, we are ready to say that. It should be a matter of both employees and employers' participation in the second pillar. This still rapid wage growth leaves us with a relatively painless way to implement this option," the central banker said.

According to Simkus, employers' contribution could be mandatory and replace the state incentive within 3-5 years. Currently, the state transfers around 300 million euros annually to these pension funds, which makes Lithuanian stand out in comparison with other countries.

Silinskas, for his part, believes that employers' contribution to employees' pension could be considered, after Latvia introduced such a system. But, he added, this would require a reform of the pension system.

"This would be a major reform, and we need to discuss it with employers whether they would agree. (...) We cannot introduce such a tax for employers in a short period of time, but in the long term, it's certainly worth discussing," Silinskas said.

Simkus believes that Lithuania should urgently adjust its pension system due to the country's demographic problems as, he pointed out, almost three employees now pay for one pension, but the number is projected to drop to fewer than two working people over the next couple of decades.

The Social Security and Labor Ministry has proposed to decide during the parliament's fall session whether to give more opportunities to second pillar participants to temporarily stop accumulating for their pension.

According to the ministry, these funds currently 8.2 billion euros, of which 2.4 billion euros, or almost 30 percent, is earned.

Editor: Roma Pakėnienė

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Lithuania's SSD warns about fake calls from Migration Department

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – Lithuania's State Security Department has warned people about fake calls allegedly made by Migration Department employees and urging people to go to the SSD to fill in questionnaires.

Callers not only urge people to go to the SSD but also ask questions about the activities of the Belarusian democratic opposition, the department said on Tuesday.

A number of Belarusian citizens in Lithuania have received such calls recently.

The SSD urges people to be vigilant, ignore suspicious calls and report such cases to the SSD by phone or email.

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Lithuanian MPs observe minute of silence to honor victims of Russian attack on Ukraine

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – Lithuanian lawmakers observed a minute of silence at the end of the parliament's extraordinary session on Tuesday to honor the memory of the victims of the recent Russian attack on Ukraine.

"We have all read the reports about the brutal fact of Russian aggression when a ballistic missile killed 41 people in Poltava, and the death toll might even be higher. Ukraine has declared a three-day mourning period and I invite you to observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims," Jurgis Razma, the 1st deputy speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas, said at the end of the sitting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that a military training facility was targeted during the Russian attack on the central Ukrainian city of Poltava and several dozen people were killed in the attack.

Two ballistic missiles hit the grounds of the training institution and a nearby hospital, he said.

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Lithuanian parliament approves Kubilius for European commissioner

VILNIUS, Sep 03, BNS – The Lithuanian parliament on Tuesday approved MEP Andrius Kubilius' nomination for the post of the country's European commissioner.

The motion was passed with 70 votes in favor, 24 against, and 15 abstaining.

"Andrius has not only managed to unite Brussels but also to politically unite the parliaments of all European countries in support of Ukraine," Zygimantas Pavilionis, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, told the parliament.

"Key decisions – Ukraine's candidate status and, finally, the negotiations – became a reality because this person was able to bring everyone together thanks to his strategic wisdom and patience," he said. 

"Many accomplishments can be attributed to Andrius Kubilius: the creation of the Statute of the Seimas Statute, the establishment of the Committee on European Affairs, and the development of the strategy to contain Russia, among many other things," said Eugenijus Gentvilas, head of the Liberal Movement's political group in the parliament.

Ausrine Armonaite, leader of the Freedom Party, joked that, out of all the women proposed by her party for the European Commission, Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte chose Kubilius.

"And yet, we think that this is an excellent candidate," she added.

Opposition MPs were skeptical of the candidacy before the vote and urged the parliament against supporting it.

"Even though he is a veteran, we all know who Andrius Kubilius is. We know he wants the defense commissioner's position, but his personal and professional qualities are very weak," Dainius Gaizauskas of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union said. 

"Perhaps he has aged or developed fears... But that's the reality. That's why he can't be a European commissioner. Now, when people in Lithuania hear Kubilius' name, they cross themselves, and soon, all of Europe might do the same," he said.

Non-attached MP Arturas Skardzius criticized decisions made during Kubilius' time as prime minister, including the purchase of the liquefied natural gas terminal and the sale of the Mažeikiu Nafta crude refinery.

In his speech before the parliament, Kubilius stressed that Europe is facing a new, deep geopolitical security crisis, making security and defense top priorities for the European Commission in the near future.

The politician said that Lithuania should aim for portfolios related to defense, security and EU enlargement.

The former prime minister from the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats was proposed for the post of Lithuania's European commissioner after President Gitanas Nauseda rejected the candidacy of Gabrielius Landsbergis, the conservative party's leader. 

Kubilius, who has served as an MEP since 2019, is a strong advocate for closer ties between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries, increased support for Ukraine, and a tougher stance toward the Kremlin.  

Lithuania's candidate for the European Commission is formally proposed by the government, but the nomination requires approval from both the president and the Seimas.

The candidate also requires the endorsement of the European Commission president and the European Parliament.

 

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Upcoming events in Lithuania for Wednesday, September 4, 2024

VILNIUS, Sep 04, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Wednesday, September 4.

PRESIDENT Gitanas Nauseda to travel to Poland.

SPEAKER OF THE SEIMAS Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen to meet with the Latvian and Ukrainian ambassador at 11 a.m.

PRIME MINISTER Ingrida Simonyte to meet with the executives of Poland's oil group Orlen at 10 a.m.

JUSTICE MINISTER Ewelina Dobrowolska to meet with Moldova Justice Minister Veronica Mihailov-Moraru ay 10 a.m.; to meet with UK Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood at 3 p.m.; to meet with Marija Pejcinovic Buric, secretary general of the Council of Europe, at 4 p.m.; to attend a gala dinner for the Council of Europe's conference of justice ministers at 7 p.m.

 

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LITHUANIA DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. Upcoming events in Lithuania for Thursday, August 29, 2024
2. Lithuania turns away 10 irregular migrants on border with Belarus
3. EU foreign ministers to discuss Russia's war against Ukraine, situation in Gaza
4. Lithuanian PM discusses Kubilius as candidate with EC president, sees need for change
5. Conres LT to install X-ray systems at 2 Lithuanian rail stations for EUR 14 mln
6. Lithuanian court rejects ex-MP's appeal against CEC's refusal to register him for election
7. We're creating story we're fighters but we fail to deliver aid to Ukraine – Landsbergis
8. Vilnius airport's central square reopens after renovation
9. Lithuanian military receives German submachine guns for EUR 1.3 mln 
10. Lithuania's Interactio to provide interpretation services during COP29 in Baku (media)
11. Ex-Lithuanian MEP Uspaskich named suspect in EUR 0.5 mln embezzlement case
12. Lithuania's Liberal Movement unveils election program for parlt election
13. Upcoming events in Lithuania for Friday, August 30, 2024

Upcoming events in Lithuania for Thursday, August 29, 2024

VILNIUS, Aug 29, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Thursday, August 29.

PRESIDENT Gitanas Nauseda to continue his visit to France.

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

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Lithuania turns away 10 irregular migrants on border with Belarus

VILNIUS, Aug 29, BNS – Lithuanian border guards have in the past 24 hours turned away ten migrants attempting to cross into the country from Belarus illegally, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) said on Thursday morning.

Latvia reported 26 attempts at illegal border crossings on Wednesday, and 35 irregular migrants were not allowed into Poland on Tuesday, according to the latest available information.

A total of 462 irregular migrants have been barred from entering Lithuania from Belarus at non-designated places so far this year, a much lower number than in previous years.

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 more than 22,300 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.

 

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EU foreign ministers to discuss Russia's war against Ukraine, situation in Gaza

VILNIUS, Aug 29, BNS – Lithuania's top diplomat Gabrielius Landsbergis is taking part in an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers on Thursday to discuss Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the situation in Gaza.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is expected to join the meeting to update his EU counterparts on the situation at the frontline, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said.

Foreign ministers will also discuss the next steps following June's Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, EU military assistance to Ukraine, and preparations for the UN General Assembly High-Level Week to rally support for Kyiv from global partners.

In the session on the Middle East, to be joined by Sigrid Kaag, the UN senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, EU ministers will discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the bloc's support for US President Joe Biden's ceasefire plan, and efforts to prevent further escalation of the conflict in the region.

EU foreign ministers will also meet with their Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, to discuss shared interests and challenges in foreign and security policy. 

Informal meetings of EU foreign ministers are typically held twice a year in the country holding the bloc's rotating presidency. However, following Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visits to Moscow and Beijing in July, Josep Borrell, the EU foreign policy chief, decided to hold Thursday's gathering in Brussels instead of Budapest.

 

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Lithuanian PM discusses Kubilius as candidate with EC president, sees need for change

VILNIUS, Aug 29, BNS – Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte says she has discussed the Andrius Kubilius as Lithuania's candidate for a European commissioner with EC President Ursula von der Leyen.

The prime minister also sees a need to change the national procedure for nominating candidates, which is "very atypical", she told the Ziniu Radijas news radio on Thursday.

"We discussed him. (...) Since this was a tête-à-tête conversation, I can't give quotes, but it is very difficult to have a negative reaction to Kubilius' nomination, and it is very difficult to have any major criticism towards the candidate in general because the European People's Party, which was led von der Leyen, won the EP election," Simonyte said.

"Kubilius' experience is one that is very difficult to argue about. I think it will be good for the EC president to have people who have a solid reputation, very broad experience and can help her to do the great things that she herself mentioned in her speech in the European Parliament," the prime minister pointed out.

The portfolio Lithuania will get will depended on the person's competences, not their gender, Simonyte underlined.

She also pointed out that the country's legislation does not provide for the nomination of more than one candidate, therefore, the procedure might need to be reviewed.

"It is already difficult for us to put forward one candidate because there are so many steps in the process. I am not saying it would be difficult to nominate a second one, but there is simply no legal picture. Because under our law we are putting forward a candidate for a European commissioner,, not candidates, not multiple candidates," Simonyte said, adding that the existing procedure in the country is "probably too complicated".

"And not because there is room for one or the other link to get stubborn. I think there is a lot to think about, but the procedure is now ongoing, and I hope it will be successfully completed. Then, if there's will for the parliament to think about it during the next parliamentary term, we can think about it and get back to this issue because the Lithuanian procedure is really very atypical," the prime minister said.

She understands the pressure coming from von der Layen and agrees that it's important to have as many women as possible in high political positions, but this goal "is not purely legally enforceable" in Lithuania.

Kubilius, a former prime minister, is being nominated as Lithuania's European commissioner after President Gitanas Nauseda rejected Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, leader of the ruling conservative Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats.

Nauseda has already endorsed Kubilius' nomination.

Kubilius, a HU-LCD member, was re-elected to the European Parliament for a second term earlier this year.

The former prime minister, who has served as an MEP since 2019, is a strong advocate for closer ties between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries, increased support for Ukraine, and a tougher stance toward the Kremlin.

Lithuania's candidate for the European Commission is formally proposed by the government, but the nomination requires approval from both the president and the Seimas.

By Dominykas Biržietis

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Conres LT to install X-ray systems at 2 Lithuanian rail stations for EUR 14 mln

VILNIUS, Aug 29, BNS – Lithuania's construction company Conres LT has been awarded contracts worth almost 14 million euros in total, excluding VAT, to install X-ray control systems at the Kybartai and Stasylos railway stations, Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai (Lithuanian Railways, LTG), said on Thursday.

LTG Infra, the state-owned railway group's infrastructure arm, and the Customs Department, which will finance the purchase of the equipment, have signed contracts with Conres LT, it said in a press release. 

According to LTG Infra CEO Vytis Zalimas, the new X-ray systems will improve border control efficiency.

"Moreover, the installed X-ray inspection systems will speed up customs procedures by allowing inspections to be conducted without additional time delays, maneuvering, or occupying extra infrastructure, thus ensuring the fastest possible train movement through the transport corridor," he said in the press release.

The X-ray equipment will scan moving trains in their entirety, both length and height, with the systems automatically identifying each freight car type and operating continuously without interruption.

The installation of the X-ray systems is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2026.

 

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Lithuanian court rejects ex-MP's appeal against CEC's refusal to register him for election

VILNIUS, Aug 29, BNS – The Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania on Thursday rejected an appeal by controversial ex-MP Petras Grazulis, the leader of the People and Justice Union (centrists, nationalists), against the Central Electoral Commission's refusal to register him as a candidate for the upcoming general election.

The ruling is final and binding.

Last week, the election watchdog refused to register Grazulis. According to the CEC, Grazulis does not comply with the requirement of the Electoral Code, stating that a person who has been impeached or has lost his mandate as a member of the Seimas may only be elected as a member of the Seimas when at least ten years have passed since the annulment of their mandate. 

Grazulis was stripped of his mandate on December 18, 2023.

Grazulis had sought to lead his party's list of candidates. He maintains that standing for election and holding office under oath are two different things.

Grazulis argued that according to the Constitution and the Electoral Code, standing for election is considered a right to participate in the political process and not a position that requires an oath as provided for in the Constitution.

Last year, the Constitutional Court ruled that Grazulis had violated the Constitution and broken his oath by deliberately voting for another member of the Seimas when latter didn’t see it. As a result, he lost his mandate through impeachment.

Grazulis is still on trial for expressing contempt for LGBTQ people, and he was previously found guilty in a corruption case for acting in the interests of Judex, a producer of frozen products.

Lithuania will elect its new parliament on October 13.

By Greta Zulonaitė

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We're creating story we're fighters but we fail to deliver aid to Ukraine – Landsbergis

VILNIUS, Aug 29, BNS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has criticized the West for being too slow in delivering aid to Ukraine as it continues to fight against Russian aggression.

"We are creating the narrative, the story to tell our citizens that we are fighters for what's good, but when it comes to deliveries, the story sometimes is very different," he told reporters in Brussels ahead of EU foreign ministers' informal meeting on Thursday.

The meeting will be also attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba who will brief his EU counterparts on the front line situation.

Last night, Russia attacked a number of regions in Ukraine, with the Ukrainian Air Force saying that the shot down two Russian missiles and 60 attack drones.

This is the third mass attack against Ukraine this week.

"Once again, we have to ask ourselves a question whether we ourselves are not a part of this problem. So far, no Patriot batteries that have been promised in Washington have been delivered. No new ammunition packages have been delivered since June, out of the F-16s that have been delivered, they have started using just a couple of them," Lithuania's top diplomat said.

He also sited "rough calculations" that Russia is capable of carried out six similar attacks on Ukraine, using the money it received from the sale of oil and gas to the European Union.

"Taking into account that its not just gas and oil that we are buying. So, I'm asking again whether we part of the problem?" Landsbergis said.

According to the minister, talks with the Ukrainians have revealed that part of the aid promised to them last year will not be delivered until 2027.

Germany's plans to cut military aid to Ukraine next year have also caused concern among allies. Its latest draft budget includes around 4 billion euros for Ukraine next year, down from around 8 billion euros in 2024.

Germany is the second largest provider of aid to Ukraine after the United States.

"The Ukrainians are worried, the Eastern flank is worried because we all understand if the Ukrainians do not get the assistance they were promised, it opens the door for Putin to continue," Landsbergis said.

EU foreign ministers traditionally meet for informal meetings every six months in the country holding the rotating EU presidency and were due to meet in Budapest. However, following Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visits to Moscow and Beijing in July, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell decided to move the meeting to Brussels.

According to the Lithuanian foreign minister, such a decision sends a clear signal that European countries do not share Hungary's policy.

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Vilnius airport's central square reopens after renovation

VILNIUS, Aug 29, BNS – Vilnius Airport's central square reopened to passengers and vehicles at 4 a.m. on Thursday, offering three times as many parking spaces – 350 in total – as before its renovation.

Arnas Dumanas, head of development at Lietuvos Oro Uostai (Lithuanian Airports, LTOU), said the renovation project, one of the most challenging stages of the airport's expansion, was completed a month ahead of schedule.

"Both the future terminal capacity and the current transport access will definitely double. In terms of parking, the number of spaces in this area has increased threefold from before. We also have a larger canopy to protect against rain and heat," he told reporters at the airport.

Dumanas added that this phase of construction was especially difficult due to the need to manage passenger flows.  

Paulius Ivanauskas, project manager at LTOU, said that traffic to and from the airport will now operate on a circular route.

"Previously, we had five different entrances to the airport; now we will have one main entrance and one main exit, so everything will follow a circular pattern," he said. 

Almantas Cebanauskas, CEO of Eikos Statyba, the contractor for the 9.5-million-euro central square renovation project, said that the airport's 50-million-euro passenger departure terminal will likely be completed about a month earlier than the scheduled date of February 4, 2025. However, this does not mean that passengers will have immediate access.

LTOU last January unveiled plans to invest around 180 million euros in renovating Vilnius Airport's terminals and building new ones.

 

 

Editor: Roma Pakėnienė

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Lithuanian military receives German submachine guns for EUR 1.3 mln 

VILNIUS, Aug 29, BNS – Submachine guns made by Germany's Heckler & Koch GmbH have been delivered to the Lithuanian Armed Forces for 1.3 million euros, the Defense Ministry said Thursday.

The MP7 A2s were chosen for their tactical advantages, including their weight, rapid firing capability, and armor-piercing power, it said, noting that these guns are also used by armed forces in 24 NATO countries.

This marks the first time the Lithuanian military will use such submachine guns, according to the ministry.

The MP7 A2 is more compact than the larger-caliber submachine guns currently in use, it noted. 

"This will greatly facilitate coordination within the team during operations in confined spaces. With its reduced bullet caliber but increased powder charge, the MP7 A2 has better penetration power and faster firing, and meets rapid-fire requirements," the ministry said.

The 4.6x30 mm ammunition of these submachine guns can penetrate ballistic protection, unlike the 9x19 mm ammunition.

 

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Lithuania's Interactio to provide interpretation services during COP29 in Baku (media)

VILNIUS, Aug 29, BNS – Interactio, a Lithuanian software company, has won a tender to provide simultaneous interpretation services during the UN climate change conference COP29 in Baku in November, the vz.lt business news website reports.

According to the company, its simultaneous interpretation platform will help delegates from 192 countries to communicate during the conference.

Interactio's business development manager Aleksejus Zubcovas says the company is estimated to earn around 2 million feuros or its services, but the exact value of the contract will be known after the event.

"It is probably not that difficult to calculate, in percentage terms, how important COP29 is for Interactio as an organization," he told the website.

Registered in Vilnius, Interactio posted 5.7 million euros in revenue for 2023, down by 32.8 percent from 2022.

In 2021, Interactio attracted 30 million US dollars in investments after several foreign and Lithuanian fund managers invested in the Lithuanian company.

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Ex-Lithuanian MEP Uspaskich named suspect in EUR 0.5 mln embezzlement case

VILNIUS, Aug 29, BNS - The European Public Prosecutor's Office has issued a notice of suspicion to ex-Lithuanian MEP Viktor Uspaskich, leader of the Labor Party, in a 500,000 euro embezzlement case, prosecutor Vytautas Kukaitis told BNS on Thursday.

"Yes", he said when asked whether Uspaskich was the suspected MEP mentioned in the EPPO's report.

The politician is suspected of abuse of office, document forgery, illegal acquisition, possession and use of an electronic document, and the acquisition of a very large amount of EU assets.

The investigation is looking into the alleged abuse of power between 2014 and 2020, when, acting in a group of accomplices, the suspects falsified documents, failed to perform or simulated the functions of an assistant to a MEP, and acquired EU assets worth more than 500,000 euros.

The notice of suspicion was issued to Uspaskich during the questioning on Wednesday, Kukaitis told BNS.

Uspaskich later told BNS he was "very calm" about the allegations.

"I don't think anything. I am very calm about this," the politician said.

Asked whether he gave evidence and how long the questioning lasted, Uspaskich said: "Why would I have to tell you anything. I have every right not to answer such questions."

He wants to get acquainted with the allegations to be able to comment on whether he's guilty or not.

A total of two persons have been named suspects as part of this investigation. They have signed written pledges not to leave and had their ID documents seized.

Interim measures on large-scale property rights have also been put in place to secure the compensation for possible damage.

The law enforcement authorities have not yet provided more derails on the investigation that was first publicly announced last spring.

Uspakich served as a MEP from 2019 to 2024, but was not active either in Brussels or in local politics.

He was supposed to lead the Labor Party candidates list in this year's European Parliament election, but these plans were abandoned after the investigation came to light.

Uspaskich suspended his Labor Party membership but re-emerged as the party's interim leader after the unsuccessful EP election. He has also taken on the task of leading a three-party coalition in the general election in October.

By Augustas Stankevičius, Saulius Jakučionis

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Lithuania's Liberal Movement unveils election program for parlt election

VILNIUS, Aug 29, BNS – Lithuania's Liberal Movement on Thursday unveiled its election program for the upcoming general election and vows "not to interfere" with efforts to mobilize society and ensure continuity of the country's foreign and defense policy.

"We are committed to mobilizing active, courageous and free people. Those who have ideas and those who just need an impulse or support (...). We commit to remain active and encourage others to act. Our vision is to empower everyone to pursue their goals as much as possible," the party's leader Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, speaker of the Seimas, said as she opened the event.

"Unite. Act. Do not interfere" is the party's slogan for the October election.

"Noninterference is a very liberal word. I like it very much in our program because it means that the state should not interfere and burden citizens with excessive restrictions, bureaucratic procedures, interfering in their private lives, where it is possible not to do so," she later told journalists.

The party remains committed to liberal values based on the dignity and freedom of the individual.

According to Cmilyte-Nielsen, her party's biggest election rivals are its existing coalition partners: the conservative Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats and the Freedom Party.

"We don't see us working with radical parties, parties controlled by oligarchs, and parties that have questions about who Crimea belongs to," Cmilyte-Nielsen.

The Liberal Movement's program consists of fourteen chapters and focuses on the economy and transport, foreign policy and national security, education and science, agriculture, health and social policy. 

"It is very important to ensure the continuity of foreign policy, defense policy, and this goes beyond a single parliamentary term," the party's leader said, adding that it is crucial to continue funding national defense and to agree on a new defense pact.

According to Cmilyte-Nielsen, there is no need for drastic decisions in the field of health and education at the moment, and this is reflected in the program.

"Now is the time to consolidate what has been started"," she noted.

The program also includes chapters on culture, environment and energy, local government and political society, human rights, national minorities, youth and sports policy.

A Spinter Tyrimai survey for the delfi.lt news website showed in early August that 6.4 percent would vote for the Liberal Movement.

The party won 6.79 percent in the 2020 Seimas election and its political group in the Seimas has 12 members.

Lithuania will elect a new parliament on October 13.

By Paulius Perminas

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Upcoming events in Lithuania for Friday, August 30, 2024

VILNIUS, Aug 30, BNS – The following events are scheduled in Lithuania for Friday, August 30.

PRESIDENT Gitanas Nauseda to meet with Denis Becirovic, chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at 11 a.m.; a meeting of the delegations of the Lithuanian president and the chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina 11.30.m.; press statements by the Lithuanian president and the chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina at 12.10 p.m.; to meet with Andrius Kubilius, Lithuania’s candidate for a European Commissioner at 3 p.m.

SPEAKER OF THE SEIMAS Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen to meet with Denis Becirovic, chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at 2.35 p.m.

PRIME MINISTER Ingrida Simonyte to meet with Denis Becirovic, chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at 3.40 p.m.

DEFENSE MINISTER Laurynas Kasciunas to attend and informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. 

FOREIGN MINISTER Gabrielius Landsbergis to attend the GLOBSEC security forum in Prague.

 

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