01

Dec

EU seeks to ease rules for Poland, Baltics in migration standoff with Belarus

BRUSSELS, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The European Union executive on Wednesday will propose that Poland and its two Baltic neighbours handle migrants the West accuses Belarus of pushing to their…

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28

Nov

Lithuania says Belarus will keep testing West, urges NATO rethink

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said on Sunday that the NATO military alliance needed to adjust its stance towards Belarus, whose military, he said, was becoming more integrated with Russian armed…

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26

Nov

EU’s von der Leyen and NATO’s Stoltenberg visit Lithuania and Latvia

Nov 26 (Reuters) - The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will travel to Lithuania and Latvia on Sunday amid a migrant…

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25

Nov

Lithuania, in spat with China, urges Europe to brace for ‘coercion’ from Beijing

Lithuania will adapt to "short-term" economic pain dealt by China over its moves to enhance ties with Taiwan, foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on Wednesday, while urging Europe to brace…

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21

Nov

China downgrades its diplomatic ties with Lithuania over Taiwan issue

Nov 21 (Reuters) - China has downgraded its diplomatic relations with Lithuania, the country's foreign ministry said on Sunday. The ministry said in a statement that the country decided to…

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19

Nov

Lithuania will “have to pay” for letting Taiwan open office, China says

BEIJING, Nov 19 (Reuters) - China warned Lithuania on Friday it would take "all necessary measures" to safeguard national sovereignty, after Lithuania allowed Taiwan to open a de facto embassy.…

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18

Nov

Taiwan opens office in Lithuania, brushing aside China opposition

TAIPEI, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Taiwan opened a de facto embassy in Lithuania on Thursday in a diplomatic breakthrough for the Chinese-claimed island, brushing aside Beijing's strong opposition to the…

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10

Nov

Photo Story: Kaunas will be the European Capital of Culture for 2022

People walk at Medieval Kaunas Castle, Lithuania. The Lithuanian city Kaunas will be the European Capital of Culture for 2022. The grand opening of 'Kaunas 2022' is scheduled for 22…

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10

Nov

Lithuania border, camps in state of emergency over migrants from Belarus

Lithuania's parliament on Tuesday declared a state of emergency at the country's border with Belarus and at camps hosting migrants who arrived from there, a tally of votes showed. The…

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05

Nov

Lithuania starts building first European wall to ward off migrants from Belarus

Lithuania has built the first stretches of a steel wall on its border with Belarus since migrants from the Middle East and other areas began entering from Belarus this year.…

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04

Nov

Lithuania says its rocky ties with China are a ‘wake up call’ for Europe

China's treatment of Lithuania is a "wake up call" for Europe, Lithuania's deputy foreign minister said, calling for the European Union to be united in dealings with Beijing. China demanded…

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26

Oct

Lithuania rolls out next-generation 5G plans

The Lithuanian Communications Regulatory Authority (RRT) has launched an auction for three 700 MHz radio frequency blocks to be used to deploy next-generation 5G mobile networks and provide 5G e-communication…

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17

Oct

Lithuanian hospitals stop accepting non-urgent patients amid COVID-19 surge

Two of the three largest hospitals in Lithuania's capital Vilnius stopped accepting non-urgent patients due to influx of COVID-19 cases, a hospital executive director said. Several regional hospitals around Vilnius…

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14

Oct

EU executive summons Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian envoys over migration

The European Union's executive summoned envoys from member states Poland, Lithuania and Latvia on Thursday over the fate of migrants stuck on their border with Belarus. "I'm very concerned about…

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12

Oct

Lithuania to offer booster shots to all citizens

Lithuanian health authorities have announced that they will shortly start offering Covid-19 booster shots to everyone. Lukas Galkus, adviser to the Health Ministry, told LRT Radio that a mass booster…

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05

Oct

Armenia seeks Lithuanian support for stronger relations with EU

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to step up implementation of democratic reforms. In a bilateral meeting, Nauseda pointed out that the democratic government led by…

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29

Sep

Lithuania records largest coronavirus caseload since January

There have been 1,847 new coronavirus cases in Lithuania over the past 24 hours, the country’s statistics office has said – the highest number of cases since early January. The…

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28

Sep

China’s Xiaomi hires expert over Lithuania censorship claim

China's Xiaomi Corp said it was engaging a third-party expert to assess allegations by Lithuania that its smartphones carry built-in censorship capabilities. Lithuania's Defence Ministry last week urged consumers to throw away…

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15

Sep

Slovenia’s PM urges EU to stand with Lithuania against Chinese pressure

The European Union must stand with Lithuania against Chinese pressure and not give in to trade threats, Slovenia's prime minister said in a letter to fellow EU leaders, according to…

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08

Sep

Czechs make first EU donation towards Lithuania-Belarus barrier

The Czech Republic has become the first EU member state to contribute funds for Lithuania to build a barrier along its border with Belarus amid a surge in migration and…

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31

Aug

Lithuania wants more U.S. attention as it launches camp for American soldiers

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda called on the United States to pay more attention to his nation's security on as Lithuania faces increased migration from Belarus which it claims is created artificially by…

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24

Aug

Lithuania says will complete Belarus border fence by Sept 2022

Lithuania said on Monday it would complete a 508-km (315-mile) fence along its border with Belarus by September next year to stop migrants it says are crossing in record numbers orchestrated…

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22

Aug

U.S. lends support to Lithuania against China pressure

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Lithuania's foreign minister on Saturday and agreed on "bilateral coordinated action" to help the country withstand pressure from China over its decision…

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18

Aug

Spain gets tranche of 9 billion euros in EU COVID recovery fund, Lithuania 289 million

Spain received its first tranche of money amounting to 9 billion euros ($10.6 billion) from the 800 billion euro EU Recovery Fund meant to help the bloc recover from the…

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11

Aug

European Commission approves €36.7 million to support migration management in Lithuania

The Commission has decided to make available €36.7 million to Lithuania in emergency assistance under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund to help improve reception capacity in Lithuania following the…

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10

Aug

EU hopes suspension of Iraq flights will slow migrant stream to Lithuania

The European Union hopes for a stabilization of the migrant situation in Lithuania after Iraq suspended flights from Baghdad to Minsk, a spokesman for the bloc's executive said on Tuesday. "We are pleased…

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07

Aug

Poland, Lithuania call for EU help with migration surge at Belarusian border

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland and Lithuania on Friday called on European institutions to help them deal with a surge in illegal migration from Belarus over their borders, as tensions between…

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06

Aug

EU summons Belarus envoy over migrant stream to Lithuania

The European Union has summoned the Belarusian envoy in Brussels and held talks with the Iraqi government after accusing Belarus of using illegal migrants, largely Iraqis, as a political weapon against EU…

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05

Aug

Lithuania denies Belarus reports of migrant death on border

Lithuania's interior ministry dismissed Belarusian reports that an Iraqi migrant had been found beaten to death after being turned away at the Lithuanian border, describing it as part of a…

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03

Aug

3,800 migrants cross border from Belarus to Lithuania

Around 3,800 people were transferred Monday to an immigration detention center in Vydeniai, Lithuania, after crossing the border from Belarus in the last 24 hours, most of them identifying themselves as…

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19

Jul

EU border agency to police Lithuania-Belarus frontier from next week

European Union border agency Frontex will deploy 60 border guards to police Lithuania's frontier with Belarus next week after a surge in migrants crossing illegally, its executive director said on…

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12

Jul

UPDATED: Belarus using refugees as a weapon, must face more EU sanctions, Lithuania says

The European Union should consider a fifth round of sanctions on Belarus because the country's government is flying in migrants from abroad to send them illegally into the bloc, Lithuania's…

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11

Jul

UPDATED: Frontex vows additional support for Lithuania amid migrant crisis, US expresses concern

EU border agency Frontex said it would ramp up its support for Lithuania next week, as the country deals with an increase in migrants crossing its border. The agency vowed…

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08

Jul

Spanish PM’s news conference in Lithuania halted for jet take-off

A news conference of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda at a Lithuanian air base was interrupted on Thursday when Spanish jets were scrambled to respond…

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08

Jul

UPDATED: Turkey says ready to support Lithuania over migrants from Belarus

Turkey is ready to extend its support and expertise on migration to Lithuania, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday, after Lithuania accused Belarus of flying in migrants from abroad,…

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07

Jul

Lithuania says Belarus is flying in migrants, plans border barrier

Lithuania on Wednesday accused Belarus of flying in migrants from abroad to send to the European Union and said it would build a barrier on the border and deploy troops…

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27

Jun

Belarus dictator floods EU with migrants in retaliation for sanctions

The embattled Belarusian dictator has made good on his threat to flood the European Union with migrants by sending hundreds of Iraqis on ‘package holidays’ to neighbouring Lithuania in retaliation…

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16

Jun

Lithuania says Belarus is helping Middle Eastern migrants to cross its borders

Lithuania's Prime Minister says she believes Belarus is behind a recent spike of illegal immigration into Lithuania, following a threat by its president that it will no longer prevent migrants…

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23

May

UPDATE – Lithuania calls for joint EU action to keep planes out of Belarus airspace

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko ordered a Ryanair flight carrying a key opposition blogger and headed for Lithuania to land in the Belarusian capital Minsk on Sunday and detained him on…

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21

Apr

Europe’s police crack down on cross-border crime groups

More than 200 people were arrested last week in 17 European countries in a coordinated crackdown on cross-border movements of stolen goods, illegal drugs and cash, the European police agency…

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16

Apr

On this day in 2004, Malta and nine other countries signed the EU accession treaty

On this day, in 2004 the leaders of ten new countries with a combined population of almost 75 million signed the accession treaty, through which they joined the EU. Up to…

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15

Apr

Turkey says not picking a side in Ukraine-Russia conflict, Baltic foreign ministers visiting Ukraine ‘to express support’

Turkey is not picking a side in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday in an interview on broadcaster NTV. President Tayyip Erdogan…

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04

Mar

Photo Story: US strategic bomber training flight in Lithuania

A handout photo made available by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence shows the US Air Force's strategic bomber B-1B Lancer (C) escorted by Italian Air force Eurofighters Typhoon during training…

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17

Feb

Lithuanian police investigate leak of 110,000 personal IDs

Lithuanian police are investigating the leak of personal data of 110 thousand people, including five government ministers and the capital city’s mayor, they said, after the list was placed on…

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04

Feb

Poland and Baltics want more sanctions on Russia, diplomats say

BRUSSELS, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Six European Union states including Poland and the Baltics are pushing for new EU sanctions on Russian officials after the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei…

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30

Jan

Lithuanian president nominates Belarus opposition leader for Nobel prize – sources

VILNIUS (Reuters) - Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has nominated Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya for the Nobel Peace Prize, two sources with knowledge of the matter said on Saturday. Nauseda…

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18

Jan

UPDATED: Lithuania calls for sanctions against Russia after Navalny’s arrest

European Union member Lithuania said on Sunday it will ask the European Union to swiftly impose new sanctions on Russia in response to the arrest of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.…

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14

Dec

Lithuania orders tougher lockdown, to last until January 3

VILNIUS (Reuters) - Lithuania told citizens to stay at home for three weeks from Wednesday as it seeks to rein in a raging coronavirus spread that has seen the country…

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15

Nov

Lithuania to turn exhibition centre into makeshift hospital as COVID-19 cases soar

Lithuania’s capital Vilnius is preparing to set up a 700-bed makeshift hospital in its largest exhibition centre, as the city fears its health system may soon get overloaded by coronavirus…

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26

Oct

Lithuanian centre-right opposition claims victory in general election

Lithuania's main centre-right opposition Homeland Union party said it won the general election and will begin forming a new government with two smaller liberal parties, which together have a majority…

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25

Oct

Second round of Lithuania’s Parliamentary elections underway

Parliamentary elections in Lithuania entered their second round on Sunday as the number of coronavirus infections rises sharply in the Baltic state. In the EU and NATO member state, almost…

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13

Oct

Lithuania’s centre-right Opposition takes lead in national election

Lithuania's main centre-right opposition party led the first round of a parliamentary vote, election commission data showed on Monday, as high unemployment and rising debt hurt the ruling coalition. The…

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12

Oct

Lithuanian opposition Homeland Union says on track to win election

Lithuania's main opposition party, the centre-right Homeland Union, appeared likely to win Sunday's first round of a national election, in what is seen as a backlash to Prime Minister Saulius…

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11

Oct

Lithuanians vote in first round of elections

Lithuanians headed to the polls on Sunday for the first round of parliamentary elections, with the ruling four-party centre-left coalition in a tight race with opposition conservatives.  DW reports that…

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08

Oct

Lithuania blocks millions of euros of EU funding to Belarus

Lithuania has blocked 5.8 million euros ($6.83 million) in payments to Belarus for an EU-funded cross-border development programme, fearing the money could be misused, the Lithuanian government revealed. The European…

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05

Oct

Lithuanian foreign minister self-isolating after French visit

Lithuanian Foreign Affairs Minister Linas Linkevicius will self-isolate for a week after contact with members of visiting French President Emmanuel Macron's delegation who later tested positive for the coronavirus. The…

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06

Sep

Lithuania says EU’s inaction over Belarus undermines foreign policy credibility

The European Union’s lack of action over Belarus is undermining the credibility of its foreign policy, Lithuanian foreign affairs minister Linas Linkevicius told the Financial Times newspaper in an interview…

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