Lithuania does not oppose the European Commission’s (EC) decision to withdraw a case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over China’s trade restrictions on Lithuanian goods, Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry announced, BNS reports. The EC argued that the main objectives of the dispute had been achieved and trade had resumed. However, the Foreign Ministry pointed out…
A group of MPs in Lithuania has established a parliamentary working group to push for the restoration of full diplomatic relations with communist China, ELTA reports. The working group’s chairman, MP Ignas Vegele of the opposition Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVZS), called on Lithuania to bring its diplomatic ties with China in line with…
China remains a threat to the security of Lithuania’s energy system, Lithuanian Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas stated, BNS reports. Speaking in an interview with Ziniu Radijas, Vaiciunas assured that Chinese-made components, — specifically inverters, converters, and other elements, — would not be used in Lithuanian energy facilities. He said that the Energy Ministry had consulted…
Estonia’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) checked around 2,000 bank statements without legal authority, Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise announced, ERR reports. FIU had obtained full bank statements via the data exchange layer connected to the enforcement register, whereas the law only allows FIU access to basic information about bank accounts. FIU told ERR that it…
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, met with his Latvian and Lithuanian counterparts on a working visit to Riga and Vilnius, LSM reports. The foreign ministers discussed bilateral cooperation, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the situation in the Middle East. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze expressed hope for more permanent solutions in Israel’s relations with Lebanon…
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has again suspended the case over China’s trade restrictions on Lithuania, following a second request from the European Commission (EC), BNS reports. Apparently, EC lawyers have failed to find sufficient proof of Chinese restrictions on Lithuanian goods. The case may now be halted for a year and then terminated if…
The draft programme of Lithuania’s incoming government calls China a “growing challenge” for foreign and security policy, BNS reports. The programme sees China’s strategic partnership with Russia and growing influence in Belarus as a threat. The new coalition pledges to work for a united approach towards China with Lithuania’s European and transatlantic partners. Also, the…
Lithuania’s incoming prime minister, Gintautas Paluckas, said that he was not informed about the government’s decision to expel three Chinese diplomats, BNS reports. He said that the consequences of the move remained to be seen, noting that diplomatic relations with China were already “practically non-existent.” China has warned that the expulsions could lead to retaliatory…
China hopes that the incoming new government in Lithuania will bring bilateral ties back to the right track, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, China News Service reports. The spokesperson urged the new government to abide by Lithuania’s “political commitment” on diplomatic relations between the two countries and to uphold the so-called One China principle….