An agreement on the automatic recognition of degrees of higher education between the Benelux and Baltic countries came into effect as of 1 May 2024, BNS reports. The agreement facilitates academic mobility and promotes university cooperation between the six countries. The agreement attests that the quality of national higher education systems is reliable.
Campaigners for dual citizenship in Lithuania may not be able to advertise on media, BNS reports. A spokeswoman for the Central Electoral Commission (VRK) noted that political advertising could only be paid for by participants of the referendum campaign. The referendum was initiated by a group of members of the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas. Marija…
Lithuania has implemented stricter controls on grain imports from Russia and other high-risk countries and territories as of 18 March 2024, BNS reports. Under the new rules, all shipments by land to the Lithuanian market or for export will be inspected. The Agriculture Ministry expects the controls to be extended to include checks on the…
Vehicles with Russian licence plates will have to be entered into Lithuania’s national vehicle register or leave the country by 11 March 2024, the Lithuanian Customs Department (LRM) announced, ERR reports. Drivers violating the new rule risk fines and having their vehicles confiscated. Exceptions apply to vehicles transiting via Lithuania to or from Russia’s Kaliningrad…
Lithuania has altogether 2,266 stateless residents, of whom 2,151 have permanent residence permits, according to data from the Lithuanian Migration Department (LMD), LRT reports. In 2018, the number of stateless people totalled 3,193. Most of the stateless residents are persons who failed to apply for citizenship after Lithuania regained its independence in 1991. Stateless persons…
Polish farmers are holding a week-long protest at the Lithuanian border, collaborating with authorities to check incoming trucks for Ukrainian grain, BNS reports. While some trucks have been diverted for inspection, most vehicles are being allowed to flow freely and no traffic jams have occurred. The farmers allege that Ukrainian grain is being falsely labelled…
Members of the national defence committee of the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, visited Israel and called for closer ties between the two countries, ERR reported. The MPs condemned the Palestinian terrorist organisation, Hamas, and urged Palestinians to reject the group. The Estonian parliamentarians encouraged Israel to consider providing military aid to Ukraine. Also, they highlighted…
Lithuania will close down two more checkpoints on the border with Belarus as of 1 March 2024, BNS reports. Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite said that closing the checkpoints in Lavoriskes and Raigardas would allow authorities to enforce sanctions, prevent smuggling, and screen incoming travellers more effectively. Also, the National Security Commission (NSK) proposed cutting the…
Estonian political parties received more than EUR 4.9mn in private donations in 2023, according to data from the Political Parties Financing Surveillance Committee (ERJK), ERR reported. The total does not include donations made to the Conservative People’s Party of Estonia (EKRE) in the fourth quarter of 2023, however. The opposition Fatherland (Isamaa) party received altogether…