Honorary Consulate of Republic of Lithuania in Tanzania

Weekly News From Lithuania 18 January 2019

	LT PermRep EU @LithuaniaInEU

Around 130 #runners from #Belgium , #France , #Italy, #Poland , #Portugal, #UKjoined #Lithuanians living in #Brussels for a tribute #run in memoria of 14 armless Lithuanians killed by Soviet tanks on January 13, 1991. The youngest #runner was 5 years old.

6:17 AM - 12 Jan 2019

	Lithuania MFA @LithuaniaMFA

#NATO has enhanced its presence in the eastern part of the Alliance, with four multinational battle groups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Their presence makes clear that an attack on one Ally will be considered an attack on the whole Alliance.

1:52 AM - 16 Jan 2019

	Linas Linkevičius @LinkeviciusL

Warmest congratulations to our drivers and teams who have successfully conquered @dakar

for yet another year! Bravo!

8:22 AM - 17 Jan 2019

POLITICS

Minister Linas Linkevičius visited Ukraine with his Baltic counterparts

On 15 January, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius, who is visiting Ukraine together with his Estonian, Latvian and Polish counterparts, stressed that the Western community could not just passively observe Russia's actions in the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov.

“We must demand that Russia should respect the freedom of navigation under international maritime law. The aggressive Russian action in the Kerch Strait and illegal actions in the Azov Sea are having significant negative effects on Ukraine and Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov,” said L. Linkevičius.

Progress of the joint EU Cyber Rapid Response Teams development discussed in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, January 17-18 – Progress and future developments of Lithuanian-led EU Cyber Rapid Response Teams (CRRT) and Mutual Assistance in Cyber Security project to be discussed at the annual conference in Amsterdam (the Netherlands).

“We have achieved significant progress on the path of developing the EU cyber response force along with other participating countries and strategic partners of the project over the past year. Actions taken prove that we can develop and combine forces in practice to fight threats in cyberspace and to strengthen collective defence in this realm,” Lithuanian Deputy Defence Minister Edvinas Kerza says ahead of the conference.

L. Linkevičius presents A. Kubilius’ candidacy for the Secretary General of the Council of Europe

On 16 January, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius presented Andrius Kubilius' candidacy for the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to ambassadors of the Council of Europe member states residing in Lithuania.

"Andrius Kubilius has served as the Prime Minister of Lithuania twice during hard times for our country. He has accumulated not only experience in the field of politics, but also has very good strategic thinking that would benefit the Council of Europe today," said Linkevičius.

ECONOMY AND SCIENCE

Lithuania attracts record number of investment projects in 2018 as ecosystem diversifies and matures

2018 was another record-breaking year for Invest Lithuania, with a record 45 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects attracted. Combined, these newly attracted projects are set to create 4,600 new specialist positions. And the country is gaining real momentum as a high added value investment location, with every new project helping to further raise its profile and reputation.

In 2015, 28 FDI projects were announced, a number which jumped to 36 in 2016, and then reached 39 in 2017, before last year’s new record. And a diverse range of factors is driving this impressive growth: the rapid expansion of specialist sectors such as Fintech, the continued diversification of the country’s Global Business Services (GBS) sector, and Lithuania’s emergence as an attractive R&D location.

Welcome to Vilnius workshops to support foreign talent relocating to Lithuania’s capital

This Tuesday Vilnius’ business development and tourism agency Go Vilnius at the Workland Business Centre announced a series of dedicated workshops slated to begin taking place later this month.

The Welcome to Vilnius workshops are designed to facilitate the transition of foreigners coming to the city to pursue professional opportunities. In just a few hours, workshop participants will receive invaluable information to help them navigate bureaucracy, settle into day-to-day life, and ultimately, become a local.

The workshops will also give participants an opportunity to ask a team of experts specific questions, take part in a tour of Vilnius and meet other foreigners, a press release from Go Vilnius states.

A Fintech Bonanza Is Luring Foreign Cash to This Tiny EU State

Courting fintech companies is paying off for Lithuania. For two years Lithuania has promoted itself as a launchpad for hi-tech upstarts eyeing the European Union and the euro region, offering English-language services and three-month approval for licenses. Big-name companies to obtain banking and e-money permits include London-based Revolut Ltd. and Google Payment Ltd.

The initiative has led to the issuance of 45 e-money licenses, according to Invest Lithuania, the country’s investment agency. That’s second only to the U.K., which has doled out 146.

CULTURE AND EVENTS

Traces: Traversing the Past won New Media Writing Prize

"TRACES: Traversing the Past" - created by a Lithuanian team Nanook has won the New Media Writing Prize.

„TRACES: Traversing the Past” is an interactive documentary story. It combines the painful history of deportations with the expedition “In the Footsteps of the Laptevians”. The four men who travelled to Siberia trekked and paddled their inflatable canoes more than 500 kilometers, documenting what they experienced.

2018 was marked as the best year for Lithuanian cinema market after the restoration of independence

The Lithuanian film centre have summarized the local box office results - in 2018 distribution reached a remarkable increase and hit all the records, a press release from the Lithuanian Film Centre states.

National cinema grew and hit market share by 28%. It's a significant rise from 22% last year that was fixed as a record in 2017. Total number of admissions grew to 4.26m with two domestic titles topping the overall box office. Revenue from tickets in Lithuanian film theaters grew more than €2m in 2018.

Jan 21 2019

	Virgis Sinkevičius ‏ @@VSinkevicius

Once I visited @thermofisher in #Vilnius, one of the leading units of global ThermoFisher Scientific operations, I was eager to see HQ of a firm ally of #Lithuania, our #LifeSciences industry and @invest_LT. Thank you for that! And thank you @gianlucapettiti for invitation!

11:57 AM - 9 Jan 2019

	Lithuania MFA @LithuaniaMFA

Today candles were lit in the MFA to commemorate the January Events that happened in #Lithuania between 11 and 13 January. 28y ago unarmed Lithuanian citizens resisted #Soviet aggressors, who used special troops and tanks, and defended their freedom. #NeverForget

11:14 PM - 10 Jan 2019

	Linas Linkevičius @LinkeviciusL

The best traditions remain the same, snow is guaranteed! I am looking forward to greeting our friends and allies from both coasts of the Atlantic at the annual #SnowMeeting2019 tomorrow for very timely and topical discussions on the transatlantic unity and our common security.

5:28 AM - 9 Jan 2019

Lithuania commemorates 13 January as the Day of Freedom Defenders to honour those killed during the Soviet aggression in Vilnius in January 1991. The Soviets then attempted to overturn Lithuania's legitimate administration that had declared independence from the Soviet Union on 11 March 1990. Fourteen people were killed and more than 1,000 unarmed civilians were injured during the attack of the TV Tower and the Lithuanian Radio and Television building by the Soviet army and special units in early hours of 13 January 1991.

To commemorate the victims of January 13th and all those, who stood up to defend their freedom, the Forget Me Not campaign is taking place in Lithuania and abroad, promoted by Lithuanian embassies. People are encouraged to physically wear badges of forget-me-not flowers and/or decorate their Facebook profiles with a temporary frame. Another tradition - the commemorative run "The Way of Life and Death ", dedicated to the victims of Lithuanian freedom in 1991. The run is organized for 28^th time; the route starts at Antakalnis cemetery to the TV tower. Saturday evening, traditional bonfires will be lit in the Independence Square near Seimas, by the Vilnius TV Tower and the Lithuanian National Radio and Television Building

POLITICS

Foreign Minister L. Linkevičius receives Ukraine's Book of Kindness

On 10 January in Vilnius, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius met with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, who came to take part in the traditional Snow Meeting of security policy experts.

The two Foreign Ministers discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation, items on Ukraine's European agenda, and international policy. P. Klimkin briefed L. Linkevičius on the situation in Ukraine, consequences of Russia's ongoing aggression, situations in the Azov Sea and the Port of Mariupol. More

Support to NATO by Lithuanian people – at its highest of five years

86% of the population are in favor of Lithuania's NATO membership which is the highest percentage in the past five years. A similar number of respondents (83%) approve of NATO allies' presence on the territory of Lithuania. The data was gathered through a public opinion poll carried out by request of the Ministry of National Defence in December 2018. More

Lithuania is taking over the leading role of the EU regional migration process

In 2019, Lithuania is succeeding Czech Republic in leading one of the EU regional migration cooperation platform – Prague Process. Takeover of the leadership was officially announced during the Prague Process Senior Officials' meeting that took place in Prague on 17-18 of December 2018. More

ECONOMY AND SCIENCE

Minister of Economy: Lithuania can lead the world in Life Sciences

"The Lithuanian Life Sciences sector grows by 20 percent yearly, and major international companies clearly see this progress. Nevertheless, Lithuania still has plenty of potential to grow further, and we only need another 5 large-scale investors to become the biggest life sciences center in the world. The Ministry has prepared a Life Sciences sector development strategy, which aims to create even better conditions for such companies. Such leading players as Thermo Fisher, Sicor Biotech, among others, are investing in new regions, thus not only creating jobs, but also significantly contributing to the development of the Life Sciences ecosystem." - Minister of Economy and Innovation Virginijus Sinkevičius More

Icelandic payment entrepreneurs establish HQ in Vilnius

Paystra, a fintech company founded and financed by Icelandic payments experts, providing payment services, is establishing its headquarters in Vilnius, Lithuania, and plans to build a team of 30 professionals over the next two years. The company, led by two payment market veterans, will develop and deploy state-of-the-art electronic payment solutions for European merchants. More

Most Startup Friendly Countries In The World: Lithuania 24th

Magazine's Startup Ecosystem Ranking ranks 50 countries across five categories: human capital investment; research and development; entrepreneurial infrastructure; technical workforce; and policy dynamics. Lithuania ranked 24th on the list coming in right after Japan and Netherlands. More

Culture and Events

January 13th commemoration concert "In Memoriam"

On 12 January a concert will be held in the Church of St. Johns called "In Memoriam" meant to commemorate and remember the events and victims of the January 13th.

The concert will start at 20:00 and is free for everyone. Furthermore it will also be broadcasted live via Lithuanian television.

Free Museum Sundays in Kaunas

Starting January 2019, every last Sunday of the month means free entrance for everyone to a long list of museums all around Lithuania. The new initiative by the Ministry of Culture is a continuation of a programme that kicked off last year to guarantee free entrance to museums for schoolchildren. Now, their families can join them, as well as everyone else interested in that. More