Economy
French finance minister coming to Lithuania
French Finance Minister Michel Sapin is coming to Lithuania this week to discuss the financial situation in the eurozone. […]
European Commission
European Union
Nordic, Baltic and Visegrad countries support Energy Union
During a sitting in Slovakia, foreign ministers and deputy foreign ministers of Nordic, Baltic, and Visegrad Group’s countries expressed their support for the idea of creating the Energy Union. […]
European Union
Some EU countries had bilateral export talks with Russia, EU Commission confirms
The European Commission says that representatives of some EU member states have apparently met with Russia‘s representatives in recent months to discuss food export issues without informing the EU’s executive body or other countries. […]
European Union
EU Commission recommends Lithuania should improve tax system and deal with demographic problems
The European Commission calls on Lithuania to improve its tax system and deal with demographic problems, which pose challenges to the country’s growth potential. […]
Politics
Amnesty International accuses Lithuania of “evasion, denial and delays” in CIA prison investigation
International human rights organization Amnesty International has issued its annual report on the human rights situation around the world and is criticizing Lithuania for violations of rights of LGBTI people as well as accusing the country of “evasion, denial and delays” regarding alleged CIA prisons in the country. […]
European Union
European Commission approves Energy Union plan
The EU Commission has approved proposals to create a single European energy market. The Energy Union plan would give the Commission more influence in the negotiation of gas supply contracts. […]
European Union
Lithuania supports EU Emissions Trading System Market Stability Reserve
Lithuania supports the proposal of the European Commission revised by Latvia, which is presiding over the EU Council, to establish the market stability reserve for the EU greenhouse gas emission allowances trading system, Lithuania’s Ministry of Environment reports. […]
European Union
Lithuania expects EC’s support for Rail Baltica
Lithuania’s Minister of Transport and Communications Rimantas Sinkevičius is meeting with Violeta Bulc, the European Commissioner for Transport, on Tuesday. During the meeting, the officials will discuss transport issues important to Lithuania, including the progress of the Rail Baltica project and its funding possibilities. […]
European Union
EU institutions look into Lithuania’s controversial protection of minors law
Lithuania’s controversial law aimed at protecting minors from public information deemed harmful to their development has once again appeared under the radar of European Union (EU) institutions. The law, which says that minors should not be exposed to information denigrating “family values”, is said to discriminate against LGBT people. […]
Opinion
Opinion: Is Minsk the end, or just the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine?
There is no doubt who gained most from the deal reached in Minsk on February 12th to end the conflict in Ukraine: Russian President Vladimir Putin. At a minimum, a frozen conflict will block Ukraine’s progress towards NATO and the EU; and if fighting resumes, the terms of the ceasefire will leave Ukrainian forces in a weaker position than now. […]
Economy
Lithuania sticks to its position on Rail Baltica financing model
Lithuania is sticking to its position on the Rail Baltica financing model and will ask the European Commission to provide around 160 million euros in funding directly and 30 million euros more through a joint venture based in Riga. Latvia does not object to that, with its transport minister saying that it is important to show that Lithuania is taking part in the project as a serious partner. […]
Lithuania wants EUR 165m in EU support for Rail Baltica project
Lithuania will individually apply to the European Commission (EC) for approximately 165 million euros in support for Rail Baltica, the European standard gauge railway project. In addition, it will ask for further 20 to 30 million euros through RB Rail, a joint venture established by the three Baltic countries for this project, transport minister has said. […]
Economy
EP to address problems of Lithuanian carriers
Taking into consideration requests by Lithuanian MEP Valentinas Mazuronis and the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament has put the questions regarding Germany‘s minimum wage in transport companies and the influence of Russia‘s restrictions upon international carriers on the agenda of their plenary sitting. […]
Economy
EC confirms Lithuania’s Rural Development Programme
On Friday, the European Commission officially confirmed the Lithuanian Rural Development Programme. […]
Culture
European Capital of Culture title “would put Kaunas on European map”
In an effort to get the title of the European Capital of Culture, Lithuania’s second-largest city Kaunas should include the city’s residents, think about the city’s identity and the wanted changes, consultants said after meeting with representatives of Kaunas cultural institutions on Tuesday. […]
Economy
EC forecasts 3-percent growth for Lithuanian economy in 2015
Lithuania’s economy is expected to maintain growth of 3.0 percent in 2015, despite a fall in exports to Russia. Domestic demand is set to remain the main growth engine, as employment and real disposable incomes rise. Inflation stays low and public finances improve slightly, the European Commission said in a statement. […]
European Union
European Commission launches work on Energy Union
The European Commission on Wednesday launched work on the Energy Union, a fundamental step towards the completion of single energy market and reforming how Europe produces, transports and consumes energy, according to a press release. […]
European Union
EC says it is to continue Gazprom enquiry
The European Commission (EC) stated on Wednesday it is continuing the investigation into suspected competition violations by the Russian gas company Gazprom, thus denying media reports about the probe having been suspended. […]
Foreign affairs
Lithuania, Italy deliver humanitarian aid to Ukraine
Lithuania will deliver a shipment of humanitarian aid worth EUR 83,532 in response to the appeal of the Head of the European Commission DG for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, Lithuania’s MFA said. […]
Economy
Lithuanian veterinary service chief: EU to negotiate resumption of pork exports to Russia
Although Moscow claims that the Baltic countries and Poland will not be able to export pork to Russia for at least three more years, the head of the Lithuanian State Food and Veterinary Service believes that the European Commission (EC) will negotiate this issue with Russia. […]