About: Lithuania
EU country briefing: Lithuania
Lithuanians enthusiastically voted to join the EU in 2003, with 91% in favour, and the southernmost Baltic state became a member the following year, along with nine other countries. It was a historic step in consolidating the independence Lithuania gained in 1991, after having been a part of the Soviet Union.
Inequality tops agenda as Lithuania elects new president
For all its economic growth, income inequality and poverty are top election issues as Lithuanians vote on Sunday (12 May) for a new president in round one of a tight race in the Baltic eurozone state.
One month to EU elections: An ‘educated guess’ who the next MEPs could be
In many countries, it is already possible to guess, with a good degree of certainty, who the next MEPs could be. All political forces have published their lists, and opinion polls give a snapshot into the balance of power in each country. What is more challenging, is to imagine future coalitions.
Estonians pay homage to victims of Soviet deportations
Thousands of Estonians lit candles across the Baltic state on Monday (25 March) in memory of the victims of Soviet mass deportations launched 70 years ago that saw tens of thousands sent to labour camps in Siberia, where many of them died.
Germany pronounces INF missile treaty dead
Germany said Friday that Russia had "de facto invalidated" a landmark Cold War missile reduction treaty which the US is poised to abandon, with Europe anxious at the prospect of a new arms race.
BNP Paribas: A rudderless juggernaut?
In a thorough and critical documentary, two filmmakers raise questions about the disproportionate power of BNP Paribas, one of Europe’s largest banks. The documentary is a case study calling into question the credibility of European banking regulation. EURACTIV France reports.
Pope pays tribute to victims of Nazis, Soviets in Lithuania
Pope Francis paid tribute on Sunday to Jews killed by the Nazis and victims of murder and deportation by the Soviet KGB, in twin visits to memorials marking the darkest periods of Lithuania's history.
Netanyahu in Baltics in search of European allies
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Lithuania on Thursday (23 August) for a Baltic summit saying he hoped to deepen ties with eastern EU nations as Brussels blasted Israel's plans for fresh settlements in the West Bank.
Lithuania says it will not appeal European court ruling over CIA torture jail
Lithuania on Wednesday (22 August) said it would not appeal a European court ruling that the Baltic state had been complicit in a clandestine CIA programme by holding terror suspects at a secret detention site on its territory.
EU nuclear inquest approves Belarusian atom-smashing
EU investigators concluded on Tuesday (3 July) that an under-construction nuclear power plant in Belarus complies with the bloc’s so-called ‘stress tests’ but made a number of recommendations to the national regulator.
EU, Baltics, Poland target Russia grid separation by 2025
The Baltic nations, Poland and the European Commission agreed Thursday (28 June) on a roadmap to synchronise the region’s electricity network with the rest of continental Europe’s by 2025 and end their reliance on the Russian grid.
Baltic states against EU sanctions on Poland
Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have confirmed that they are against imposing EU sanctions on Poland for alleged breaches to the rule of law. EURACTIV Poland reports.
Eight northern EU states urge caution in eurozone reforms
Eight northern European countries said today (6 March) that euro zone reforms should focus on completing the banking union, improving compliance with budget rules and setting up a European Monetary Fund, with more ambitious plans left for later.
Baltic ministers prepare US summit for ‘sending message to Putin’
Foreign ministers from the Baltic states, three exposed allies on NATO's eastern flank, visited Washington on Monday (5 March) to urge Western leaders not to respond naively to Russian threats.
Baltic leaders back bigger EU budget after Brexit
The leaders of three Baltic states yesterday (15 February) backed a proposal for EU members to pay more into the bloc's budget after 2020 to fill a Brexit void.
Lithuania hopes to kill daylight savings time
Lithuania said Thursday (21 December) that it would push the European Union to abolish its law on daylight saving time, claiming that most people find it annoying to have to adjust their clocks twice a year.
EU rebuffs Netanyahu’s Jerusalem call
The EU's diplomatic chief on Monday (11 December) bluntly rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's suggestion that Europe would follow the US in recognising Jerusalem as the Jewish state's capital, saying there would be no change to its stance on the holy city.
Nuclear spat at Eastern Partnership summit
A heated exchange broke out between Lithuania’s President Dalia Grybauskaite and Belarus' Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei on the issue of the controversial Astravyets nuclear power plant, during the Eastern Partnership summit on Friday (24 November).
Over A Coffee with Petras Auštrevičius, Lithuanian MEP
Petras Auštrevičius, Lithuanian Liberal MEP, joins EURACTIV’s Brian Maguire over a coffee.
Lithuania taps up Commission for more nuclear decommissioning funds
Lithuania is in the middle of decommissioning an unsafe Soviet-era nuclear power plant and its energy minister last week courted EU Budget Commissioner Günther Oettinger for more financial support after 2020.
Lithuania plans to burn more waste – but does it have enough?
Lithuania plans to build more waste incineration plants, which the government says could lead to reducing energy bills – but politicians and NGOs worry that it would jeopardise recycling targets as not enough waste is being produced.
Belarus: Atomic power on the EU’s doorstep
A nuclear power plant on the EU’s border with Belarus continues to court controversy due to a number of incidents during its construction and serious concerns raised by neighbouring countries. EURACTIV.com visited the ex-Soviet nation in October to learn more.
Luxembourg buys up surplus energy to hit renewable target, in EU first
Lithuania and Luxembourg became the first EU member states to agree on the transfer of renewable energy statistics on Thursday (26 October), meaning the Grand Duchy will now probably hit its 2020 target. Estonia hopes to broker a similar deal to finance its wind power ambitions.