About: Lithuania
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.
Internal NATO report reveals weaknesses in defence
A classified NATO report reveals huge problems with logistics and troop deployment that could threaten the alliance's defence capability. NATO has been quite late in adopting a change of course. EURACTIV Germany’s partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Washington congratulates Lithuania for receiving first LNG shipment from US
The State Department congratulated Lithuania on Wednesday (23 August) for receiving the first shipment of liquified natural gas from the US. The move follows Donald Trump’s visit to Warsaw last month, where he promoted American LNG exports.
US deploys advanced anti-aircraft missiles in Baltics for first time
The United States deployed a battery of Patriot long-range anti-aircraft missiles in Lithuania to be used in NATO wargames from Tuesday (11 July) – the first time the advanced defence system has been brought to the Baltics where Russia has air superiority.
Belarus deflects Lithuanian attempt to mobilise support against nuclear plant
Belarus has avoided a resolution by the European Security watchdog OSCE criticising the construction of the Astravyets nuclear power plant, a project which neighbouring Lithuania strongly opposes on the grounds of nuclear safety concerns.
Lithuania’s new alcohol package raises eyebrows in industry
The Lithuanian government has unveiled new policy measures aimed at tackling alcohol-related harm, including increasing the legal age for buying and consuming alcoholic drinks.
Lithuania rushes to keep citizens as Brexit looms
As Brexit puts a question mark over the rights of EU nationals in Britain, Lithuania is rushing to let its citizens keep their Baltic passports if they opt to become British.
Under-threat Soros university thrown lifeline by other European cities
A Budapest university founded by billionaire George Soros, which is threatened with closure by Hungarian government legislation fast tracked today (4 April), has already received a number of offers from other EU countries to host the seat of learning.