Economy

Lithuanian furniture makers among Ikea’s biggest suppliers

Lithuania is the fourth biggest supplier for Ikea after Poland, Italy and Germany. Furthermore, the Swedish furniture and home accessory retailer has plans to expand in Russia, which is a convenient destination for Lithuanian production. […]

Alexander Lukashenko
Uncategorized

Lithuanian political scientist: politicians desperate to see change in Belarus but there just isn’t any

The recent presidential election in Belarus secured presidency for Alexander Lukashenko for the fifth term. Prior to the vote, the Belarusian regime released political prisoners, which the European Union took as a gesture of good will and is talking about suspending sanctions against Lukashenko and his officials. However, such optimism about change in Belarus is misguided, says political scientist Vytis Jurkonis of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science at Vilnius University. […]

David Pollick
Opinion

Opinion: EHU rector’s open letter from Vilnius to Belarus

The theatre goes on. Alexander Lukashenko will continue in his long running ‘role’ as president of Belarus. One cannot say ‘elected,’ ‘endorsed’ or even ‘confirmed.’ Not only would none of these be true, they would simply not be believable. As has been said, the only question in this piece of performance art was whether Lukashenko would choose to win by 72%, 79% or even more absurd, 83% of the vote, based upon the delusion that ‘believability’ was possible and that the Belarusian population can be kept silent. […]

Algirdas Butkevičius
Uncategorized

Lithuanian PM stresses importance of economic relations with Belarus

Lithuania is ready to continue its political dialogue with the neighbouring Belarus, whose president Alexander Lukashenko has been re-elected for his fifth consecutive term of office, says Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius. He also stressed the importance of bilateral economic relations. […]

Energy

Lithuania might have to pay billions for quitting Soviet energy system

As Lithuania is approaching its goal of separating from the electricity network extending across the former Soviet Union and fully integrating itself into the energy system of Western Europe, Moscow might claim multi-billion-euro damages that Vilnius could be liable to pay based on a treaty signed 14 years ago. […]

Alexander Lukashenko
Opinion

Opinion: The dilemma of dictatorial stability

Current times in Eastern Europe can hardly be seen as a blessing. With the region more destabilized than ever, not only the economies of Ukraine, the Russian Federation and the surrounding countries suffer, but also the image of Eastern Europe has been in downfall lately. However, for someone these problems in the region might be coming at a perfect time. […]

Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko
Uncategorized

Putin arm-twists Lukashenko into hosting Russian military base

Russia has announced it is planning to set up a military aviation base in Belarus, while Minsk refrains from comment, even after a meeting between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. […]