Lithuania: Parliament debates Constitutional Court petition on Istanbul Convention

The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, has begun discussing a proposal from the parliamentary speaker, Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, to seek the Constitutional Court’s opinion on the compatibility of the Istanbul Convention with the country’s Constitution, BNS reports. The corresponding draft resolution passed the first reading in parliament. The final vote on the resolution will take place in…

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Lithuania: No need for same sanctions on Russians, Belarusians: Foreign Minister

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said that there was no need to impose identical restrictions on Russians and Belarusians in response to the possible relocation of Russian mercenary group Wagner Group to Belarus, BNS reports. Earlier, President Gitanas Nauseda criticised the decision of the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, to override his veto and approve different…

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Latvia: Teacher union to ask PM Karins to implement strike demands

The Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees (LIZDA) will ask Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins to adopt urgent solutions to implement the agreement reached with the Ministry of Education and Science after a recent teacher strike, LETA reports. Earlier, LIZDA demanded that Education Minister Anda Caksa resign, which the minister refused to do, insisting…

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Lithuania: No veto on NATO summit declaration on Ukraine: presidential adviser

Lithuania will not veto NATO’s Vilnius summit declaration on Ukraine’s membership even if the text is unsatisfactory, Asta Skaisgiryte, chief foreign policy adviser to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, stated, LRT reports. She emphasised the importance of unity within the defence alliance, noting that efforts were being made to secure the best possible outcome for Ukraine…

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Lithuania: 12,000 officers, troops to safeguard NATO summit in Vilnius

The NATO summit in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, is set to have unprecedented security measures in place, with approximately 12,000 officers and soldiers assigned to ensure security, BNS reports. This is the first time that Lithuania is hosting an event of such magnitude. The summit will welcome 48 foreign delegations with 2,400 members, including 40 heads…

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Lithuania: Pres. Nauseda criticises Foreign Minister on German brigade debate

Lithuania’s President, Gitanas Nauseda, criticised the “harsh rhetoric” of Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis over the deployment of a full German brigade in Lithuania, BNS reports. Speaking in an interview with LNK, Nauseda said that such rhetoric was not helpful. He stressed the need to ensure trust in partner countries, noting that Germany was Lithuania’s “biggest…

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Latvia: Limited visa services for Russian citizens resumed

Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the resumption of limited acceptance of visa applications from Russian citizens at Latvian diplomatic and consular missions abroad, LSM reports. The decision comes after the suspension of all visa applications from Russian citizens in response to the Wagner Group mutiny in Russia. Visa applications will now be accepted…

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