Economy
Belarus
Defence
Opinion
Opinion: Reset with Belarus?
Conventional wisdom dictates vision before planning. It seems neither are present in the cautious, yet steady Western reset with Belarus, whose authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko recently secured his fifth term in elections widely considered to be flawed, argues Marius Laurinavičius, fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). […]
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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. […]
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. […]
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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. […]
EU should lift Belarus sanctions by the end of October, Lithuanian minister says
The European Union should make the decision to lift sanctions on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko by the end of the month, according to Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius, LRT.lt reports. […]
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Lithuania: Presidential election results in Belarus were predictable
The results of the presidential election in Belarus were anticipated and Lithuania together with other member-states of the European Union will decide on long-term relations with Belarus by taking into account the final report of election observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), says Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė. […]
Lithuanian foreign minister OK with EU lifting sanctions on Belarus
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius says he is in favour of the European Union lifting sanctions on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. […]
Energy
Lithuanian PM: Russia demanding damages from Baltics for leaving BRELL only ‘interpretation’
Lithuania is moving from the post-Soviet to European electricity transmission system and Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius says claims that Russia and Belarus will incur damages as a result are nothing but “interpretations”. The prime minister says Lithuania is not considering paying compensations to Russia and Belarus under the so-called BRELL treaty. […]
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. […]
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Lithuania concerned about safety of Belarus nuclear plant
With a Russian-made reactor to be delivered to the site of Belarus‘ Astravyets nuclear power plant at the end of this month as part of plans to launch the first unit in 2018, Lithuanian experts are concerned about the safety of the world’s “cheapest” nuclear facility, the daily Lietuvos Žinios reports. […]
Defence
Swiss and Belarusian inspectors to check Lithuania’s weaponry
Belarusian and Swiss military representatives will this week check the weaponry available in Lithuania, the Ministry of National Defence said. […]
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. […]
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Lithuanian defence minister: Russian army base in Belarus would fuel tension
A Russian army base in Belarus would worsen Belarus’ relations with Lithuania and would undermine Belarus’ goal to normalize its ties with NATO and the European Union, Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas says. […]
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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. […]
Opinion
Opinion: Renewing the Transatlantic commitment to democracy
The dangerous actions by Russia and Vladimir Putin pose the greatest challenge to security and democracy since WWII. This applies not only to the countries within Eurasia, but to our post-war vision of a Europe whole, free and at peace. While not necessarily a return to the Cold War, the current situation nevertheless has brought a clear competition of ideologies to the forefront: democracies founded on free elections, accountable governance and rule of law versus authoritarian ideals of “managed democracy.” […]
Economy
Belarusian businesses keep moving to Lithuania
The current unpredictable economic situation in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine forces businesses to seek a safe haven for their money and ideas in the West. From year to year, the number of companies that have moved from the CIS countries to Lithuania is increasing, Invest Lithuania, the country’s investment promotion agency, reports. […]
Economy
Tourism industry holds key to Lithuania’s service export
To completely refocus on the West or, given accrued expertise and familiarity with the neighbours’ mentality, spend additional resources on the East? Entrepreneurs in many industries ask these questions while analyzing economic and financial indices as well as public moods in neighbouring countries. Tourism sector is no exception. […]
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Belarus does not always support Russia’s actions in Donbass, Lithuanian foreign minister says
After his informal meeting with Ukrainian and Belarusian foreign ministers, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius says that Minsk is not inclined to blindly support any step Russia makes in regard to Eastern Ukraine. […]