Vilnius - a model of tolerance yesterday and today

The union of Hansa cities

Hansa - north German former land, Prussian and Livonian cities’ trade and political union, founded in 1280, in Lübeck. In XV century it owned about 160 cities from 10 countries. If translate from the German language, word „Hanse” means „group”, „union”. 

Lithuanian-American scientist explores origins of universe

Even though the Big Bang that gave birth to time itself happened 13.7 billion years ago and scientists can only guess what happened in its wake, there is a slight chance to glance at one of the first phenomena in the universe. Scientists at NASA are currently working on complex technology required for the endeavour and among them is Jonas Žmuidzinas, a 52-year-old Lithuanian-American astrophysicist.

Lithuanian Science Prize winner Romualdas Kriaučiūnas: Have I really done so much?

His story warrants a cinematic treatment. At eight, together with his mother and two sisters, he fled to Germany, to escape the Red Army; at thirteen, he came to the United States. He grew up without a father, worked hard and studied all his life. At 76, Romualdas Kriaučiūnas was awarded by the Ministry of Education and Science of Lithuania for his life-long achievements in promoting science.

R&D spending grew in 2011

Despite the painful austerity and the shortening of budgets in the Lithuanian economy, there is one bright spot in the spending horizon. Today, Statistics Lithuania reported that the country’s spending on research and development (R&D), a crucial factor in innovation and value-added products, grew to 0.92% of GDP in 2011. In more specific figures, the spending rose by 28.5% (974.3 million litas – EUR 282.4 mn)

History of Internet in Lithuania

This July, it had been fifty years since the first computer was turned on in Lithuania. What other dates of note punctuate the history of information technology in this country? One of them doubtlessly must be Lithuania’s entrance into the world wide net.

A unique research complex in Eastern Europe

Early next year, at the latest, a unique biopharmaceutical research center of biotechnology company Biotechpharma will be fully operational in Lithuania. The center is expected to service companies from the United States and Western Europe.

Lithuanian innovations at ‘Electrolux’

Two design works by second year students of Vilnius Academy of Arts got into an annual household appliance concepts competition ‘Electrolux Design Lab’ semifinals, vz.lt reported on 3rd August. From more than 1,200 projects submitted to the Swedish manufacturer of home appliances competition, a device ‘Salt Spoon’ by Barbara Adamonytė and Vilius Dringelis work ‘Fridge Nose’ were selected to top 30.

Young Lithuanian engineers are building country’s first space satellite

When the National Space Association, later renamed Lithuanian Space Association, was set up in 2009, many laughed. But while sceptics were making fun, scientists were silently working on a Lithuanian space satellite.Young professionals, sparing no time, talent, or money, seek to prove that Lithuania can proudly participate in space exploration along with the United States, Russia, China, or India.

V.A.Bumelis – business leader with an ambitious idea

Vladas Algirdas Bumelis. These are the only words on a business card extended by the 2012 Lithuanian business leader of the year. No offices, no titles. Bumelis, who has just finished a job in one influential post, is already talking of a new challenge – building a generic drug factory in Lithuania.

Vilnius University leading the university ranking

The top position of “Veidas” magazine’s university ranking once again goes to the Vilnius University (VU), which has never been outscored, lrytas.lt reported on 21 May.Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) is in the second place, Mykolas Romeris University in the third, Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) is the fourth and Vilnius Gediminas Technical University is the fifth.

Your Employees Just Aren't That Into You

A new survey shows that employees who aren't into their jobs cite their relationship with their boss as the biggest problem. If you think employee engagement is one of those warm and fuzzy phrases found in the self-help aisle, think again. According to new research, not only should you be taking employee engagement seriously, it’s probably already a problem within your company. And you might be to blame. 

Sure, Big Data Is Great. But So Is Intuition

It was the bold title of a conference this month at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and of a widely read article in The Harvard Business Review last October: “Big Data: The Management Revolution.”Andrew McAfee, principal research scientist at the M.I.T. Center for Digital Business, led off the conference by saying that Big Data would be “the next big chapter of our business history.” Next on stage was Erik Brynjolfsson, a professor and director of the M.I.T. center and a co-author of the article with Dr. McAfee. Big Data, said Professor Brynjolfsson, will “replace ideas, paradigms, organizations and ways of thinking about the world.”

The One-Minute Change That Will Transform Your Company

We talk a lot about major pivots--but what about minor ones? Here's how one small piece of pivotal behavior can change your company for the better. Can a single behavior elevate an entire organization? It can - if it’s the right behavior. Here’s how a simple 1-minute act helped an organization reinforce its purpose and outperform its competition by leaps and bounds.

Dairy business in Lithuania: Big fishes in small pond

The entire Lithuanian dairy industry is controlled by five major companies: Pieno žvaigždės, Rokiškio sūris, Žemaitijos pienas, Vilkyškių pieninė, and Marijampolės pieno konservai. They are doubtlessly the strongest dairy plants in the Baltics, since their competitors in Latvia and Estonia are incomparably smaller and the two dairy markets are more divided.

Why Trying To Manipulate Employee Motivation Always Backfires?

CEOs have two levers they pull on a regular basis to influence their organizations. The first lever adds to, or takes away from, strategic intentions. The second one controls the hiring of key talent to ensure that the right people are in the right seats. Levers work well for many of the factors that impact business success; but one area-employee engagement-resists “leveraging.” 

This is Your Brain on Organizational Change

Why can't we change our organizations? Year after year, the list of companies that no longer exist because they were unable to evolve continues to grow. It includes such household names as Sunbeam, Polaroid, Tower Records, Circuit City, and Drexel Burnham Lambert. After six decades of study, untold investment, and the best efforts of scholars, executives, and consultants, most organizational change efforts still underperform, fail, or make things worse.

Go East for new markets – Lithuanian Apparel and Textile Industry Association

The time has come for Lithuanian producers to start shifting some of their exports to larger and healthier markets. Therefore, an increasing number of Lithuanian industries are pursuing an aggressive expansion strategy in various Eastern markets. Of course, such shift does not come without its challenging tasks.

IKEA flagship store to revive the left bank of Neris

On Thursday, the investors that built the IKEA shopping centre in Vilnius and the government of the capital ceremonially put the symbolic capsule in the wall of the building for future generations. The IKEA store will open its doors in next August, and the twice as big shopping complex will be targeting buyers on the left bank of Neris.

After three year of negotiations – freer entry to Russia

After three years of negotiations Lithuanian National Road Carriers’ Association Linava has been informed by the Customs Service of the Russian Federation that customs officers were ordered not to carry out additional screening of Lithuanian goods and vehicles, according to ELTA. According to the president of Linava Algimantas Kondrusevičius, the Customs Service of Russia not only discontinued additional screening, but also abolished the lists of reliable and unreliable carriers.

Lithuanian toilet paper maker awarded EU Eco-label Flower

Sanitary paper products manufactured by Grigiškės AB were awarded the EU Eco-label Flower, NASDAQ OMX Baltic reports. Grigiškės AB is the first company in Lithuania to be awarded this label by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EU eco-label is awarded to goods and services meeting the environmental demands for EU eco-labelling scheme, reports LETA/ELTA.

Lithuanian retail chain – one of the largest in Georgia

Company “Ioli Supermarket Ltd.”, which was established by Lithuanians and manages the distribution network “IOLI Gastronomia”, has acquired another distribution network in Georgia “Populi” and became the largest retail network of the necessity goods in the country, delfi.lt reported on August 2nd.

Lithuania suggests strengthening the Nordic bow cooperation

Lithuania suggests making better use of the opening opportunities for the cooperation of the so-called Nordic Bow that includes the Nordic-Baltic countries and the United Kingdom. On 18 July in Vilnius, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis met with Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom William Hague to discuss cooperation opportunities.

Lithuania and Turkey

On 2 July in Vilnius, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Egidijus Meilūnas met with the new Ambassador of Turkey to Lithuania Akın Algan to discuss the development of bilateral relations and prospects of economic cooperation. 

Agreement to expend legal framework for bilateral cooperation

On June 27 in Vilnius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Audronius Ažubalis held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mauritania Hamadi Ould Baba Ould Hamadi, during which he stressed Lithuania’s wish to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Mauritania, and to further economic relations. They also agreed to expand legal framework for bilateral cooperation.

Vilnius chosen as springboard for European expansion

GRG Banking Equipment, China’s largest provider of currency recognition and cash processing solutions, is opening its doors in Vilnius, investlithuania.com reported on 26 June. One of the ten largest companies in this field and rapidly expanding all over the world, GRG Banking Equipment has chosen Vilnius as a springboard for its further expansion in Europe.

Lithuanian and Turkish bilateral relation, Turkey's EU integration

On June 22 in Vilnius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Audronius Ažubalis and Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Knud Bartels discussed the progress of the Lithuanian Energy Security Centre in achieving the status of a NATO's Centre of Excellence.

Developments are Afoot

Aidas Laurinavičius, the director for commerce at Vilnius International Airport, is full of ideas for making the rapidly expanding airport even more attractive to passengers. A new terminal has recently opened. A special train now takes passengers from the airport to the railway station. Next year the airport hotel will be modernised, and passengers will be offered attractive new services. A separate VIP lounge will be available for businessmen.

Vilnius has the fastest Internet in the world

“Skynet” Network Operations Center Deputy Vladimir Kiseliov said that the current record of the Internet speed has been achieved with the help of high quality equipment, which was chosen in the right time and utilised professionally.

IT destiny in 2012

Information technology has developed a lot and it has become an integral part of important business processes. That is why, leaders of organizations and specialists are wondering, what is the future of IT in 2012? Here are the forecasts of IT specialists in 2012.

Significant percentage of all companies are going to invest in advertising on the internet

Lithuanian Marketing Association and the “Business News” marketing specialists carried out a survey in December. The results showed that even 65.7 percent of companies are about to increase marketing costs for advertising on the Internet this year. Overall, in 2012, 53.4 percent of companies are about to rise marketing budget. It is almost 6 percent more than previous year. 8.6 percent of all questioned are going to increase the budget for more than 50 percent. Meanwhile, only 18.6 percent of questioned are going to reduce marketing costs.

Gross GDP increased in all Lithuanian counties during last year

Statistics Lithuania reports that, based on non-final data, in 2011 gross domestic product (GDP) increased in all counties. The contribution of the regions to the country’s GDP was very different. 

Lithuanian meat industry: Local pigs are not enough

A Lithuanian can hardly imagine his or her daily meal without a pork stake or a chicken wing. If experts be trusted, it can soon change. According to scientist of Stockholm International Water Institute, meat might well become a luxury product by 2050.

Americans and Poles are to explore Lithuanian gas reserves

Polish oil company LOTOS Group together with American CalEnergy Resources Ltd are working towards establishing a joint company for shale gas extraction in Lithuania, reported delfi.lt, referring to an article by onet.pl, based on Interfax Global Energy Services’ information.

Cumulative foreign investment totaled 38.6 billion

In financial news, the Bank of Lithuania revealed its latest economic figures for foreign direct investment (FDI) to the nation. Cumulative foreign investment totaled 38.6 billion litas (EUR 11.2 b) at the end of June, approximately 12,112 litas per capita. This represents a 0.1% GDP for period examined (58.5 million litas) in net FDI outflow.

SOE profits up 350% in 2011

The results of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) keep improving and the net profit of SOEs (including special taxes to the State) was LTL 246.6 million in 2011, which was 3.5 times more than the previous year (this sum excludes losses of LTL182 million due to the bankruptcy of the Bankas Snoras). 

Lithuania’s GDP grew by 3% in first half of 2012

Lithuania ’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 3 percent in the first half of 2012, year-on-year, to 53.351 billion litas at current prices, Statistics Department of Lithuania reported on 30 July. According to the Department, in the second quarter alone, the Lithuanian economy expanded by 2.1 percent, year-on-year, to 28.053 billion litas.

President: after 2 years of economic growth, it is possible cautiously to raise salaries

As economists, financial analysts speak about the second wave of the crisis, President Dalia Grybauskaitė says that Lithuania is still able to afford thinking about the careful and estimated increase of wage. However, according to the President, wage increase can not lead to the budget deficit higher than 3 percent, Delfi.lt reported on 23 July.

DNB analyst: Crisis in Europe impacts Lithuanian export

The recent international trade data shows positive trends in Lithuanian export. Although on May the export turnover was only LTL 5.3 billion (EUR 1.5 billion) which is 16 percent less than in April. DNB Bank analyst Mindaugas Jurgelis says that the decline is due to the temporarily halted trade of oil products.

In Q1, Lithuania's financial assets grow 7 pct

At the end of the first quarter of 2012, the annual growth rate of Lithuania's financial assets (7 percent) exceeded that of liabilities (6 percent). In the same quarter of 2011, the said growth rates accounted for 3 and 1 percent, respectively, the Bank of Lithuania said.

World Bank: next year Lithuania will become region’s growth leader

Lithuania‘s economic growth in 2013 will be the highest in the region – 3,5 percent, according to the World Bank’s latest EU11 Regular Economic Report. Average economic growth in the EU11 countries is estimated to reach 2,5 percent.

State-owned enterprises profits grew 3.5 times

State-owned enterprises’ results are improving: the net profit, property and state taxes on raw materials in 2011 amounted to 246.6 million LTL In other words: 3.5 times more than in 2010 (if one did not include the losses due to “Snoras” bank bankruptcy, which cost those enterprises 182 million LTL last year).

Over the month, retail trade turnover grew by 7.2 %

Based on the provisional data of Statistics Lithuania, in May 2012, the turnover (VAT excluded) of enterprises engaged in retail trade, except for the wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, amounted to LTL 2230.5 million and, compared to April 2012, grew by 7.2 per cent at constant prices (seasonally adjusted – by 1.1 per cent). 

Lithuania will join Euro, when the country is ready for it

Lithuania will join the Eurozone, when it is ready, President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite said during a joint press conference with President of Latvia Andris Berzins on 12 June.

European Central Bank is likely to manage to cope with the crisis

Financial markets are stabilizing. European Central Bank (ECB) is full of optimism. The bank announced that there are preliminary signs of euro zone economy stabilization. Besides, Italy and Spain have managed to borrow more cheaply. Due to increased confidence in euro zone, euro value towards dollar rose 0.84 percent. U.S stock indexes rose from 0.2 to 0.5 percent. In Asia, shares’ value has also slightly risen.

Lithuania-right choice for investment

The director of organization of foreign investors Rūta Skyrienė points out that despite the global crisis, economic downturn and tougher fiscal policy, Lithuanian market is popular with keen foreigners. „ So far, foreign business does not step back, and invest in service sector,“- R.Skyrienė says. According to director, it is very profitable to invest in Lithuania due to free labour force.

The number of guarantees given to INVEGA is a kind of record

“In 2011 the number of guarantees given to INVEGA is a kind of record. INVEGA given support in form of guarantees business didn’t use so intensive neither in 2009, neither in 2010 m, when to Lithuanian small and medium-sized businesses has become available a number of INVEGA financial engineering instruments” – says INVEGA deputy director Audrius Zabotka. – “This reflects the growing demand for business credit, and proves once again that financial engineering, while taking its first steps in Lithuania and throughout the European Union, are in high demand”.

12 Surprising Signs You Could Be an Entrepreneur

Almost every article ever written about entrepreneurship suggests that it's not for everyone. And yet the articles go on to list attributes that many successful people possess as the traits commonly associated with great entrepreneurs, such as a strong work ethic, persistence, persuasiveness and discipline.

Shorter duration of license and authorization issue to businessmen procedure proposed by Ministry of Economy

One month time which is approximately required for a license to be issued affects both the businessmen and the State and gives reasons to incur nearly LTL 24 million (0.02%) annual loss of the GDP during the said period. We cannot afford such losses and therefore have to create conditions which could help business function more efficiently and smoothly.

From pain-inspired idea to herbal pill on a saturated market

One man against pharmacy giants. 28-year-old Andrius Kavaliauskas held his ground in the competitive combat and is now very glad that he did. “I hold it in my hand and I know how to sell it,” he says, extending a box with a herbal drug he has developed. First comes an idea, than research to test it, labs, scouting for a manufacturer and financing, contracts with pharmacy chains. 

H&M establish branch in Lithuania

On Tuesday, retail clothing chain Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) established a branch of the network company UAB H&M Hennes & Mauritz in Lithuania.The company is registered in Vilnius. Its manager is Karl Johan Persson and company’s share capital is 10,000Lt, according to data provided by the Centre of Registers. It was previously announced that H&M is planning to open 2 stores in Lithuania in 2013. 

It is good to do business in Lithuania; Swedish business survey

Lithuania is a great country to do business, the Swedish business community state in a survey done by the Swedish Trade Council in cooperation with the Embassy of Sweden in Lithuania. Over 30 per cent of all Swedish companies operating in Lithuania responded to the survey questions, and that is a great result, Mantas Zalatorius, the Vice President of Central and Eastern Europe of the Swedish Trade Council told the press on 23 August.

Ilja Laurs: Crisis poses no threat to startup busines

“One of the greatest strengths of IT startups is that they are more resistant to economic crises than other businesses. If you have a good idea, you’ll always find investors,” says Ilja Laurs, 36, one of Europe’s most successful new businessmen. His company GetJar distributes free mobile apps and has been lauded as a great success story. Laurs gave interview to 15min, sharing advice on how to start a new and successful business.

Lithuanian Agriculture Minister Kazys Starkevičius: Our agriculture is the best

More expensive Lithuanian apples can outdo the cheaper Polish ones with quality, says Lithuania’s Minister of Agriculture Kazys Starkevičius. The politician, who spends his evenings tending to his carrots, offers himself as an example for those who are dissatisfied with surging food prices – he suggests planting a small garden, Eglė Digrytė writes in 15min.lt.

Japanese are looking into the possibility to start using Lithuanian port for freight transportation

Delegation of Japanese business executives are exploring possibilities of freight transit through Lithuania’s Klaipėda seaport, lrytas.lt reports. On Tuesday, Vice Minister of Transport, Arūnas Štaras presented Lithuanian transportation system and logistics capabilities to the visitors.

President Grants Citizenship to 37 people

President Dalia Grybauskaitė granted citizenship to 37 people, the majority of whom—34—reside in Lithuania; one resides in Russia, and two reside in Latvia delfi.lt reported on August 5th.

Ensuring equal opportunities

During the international conference “Gender, Science and Democracy” at the Presidential Palace on June 21, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Evaldas Ignatavičius noted that ensuring equal rights and equal opportunities for women was a long-term priority of Lithuania’s foreign policy.

Baltic and Benelux foreign ministers adopt declaration on closer consular cooperation

On 10 December in Brussels, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs met with his colleagues from the Baltic and Benelux states. During the meeting the ministers adopted a joint declaration on closer cooperation in the consular sector, informs Latvia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Lithuania appreciates German policy in Europe; German Ambassador

Although its presence is not always prominent, German business and culture is in fact very well represented in Lithuania, despite there being room for improvement, so the German ambassador to Lithuania, His Excellency Matthias Mulmenstadt, tells The Lithuania Tribune in the second part of our interview with him. 

“Lithuania is an important partner for us; bilateral relations are excellent” – Exclusive interview with Dutch Ambassador, H.E. Kornelis Spaans

The Netherlands, as the name indicates, is low-lying territory, with one-quarter of the country at or below sea level. Many areas are protected from flooding by dykes and sea walls. A seafaring nation, much of its land has been reclaimed from the sea.

“We need to strengthen economic coordination within the Euro area with binding commitments” – German Ambassador to Lithuania

German Ambassador to Lithuania, Matthias Mulmenstadt is a great supporter of the European project and does not see any reason for people to fear a “two-speed” Europe. His country has always advocated closer EU integration.

Europe’s first citizens initiative asks for 3% of the EU budget being spent on EU exchange programmes starting from 2014

Fraternité 2020 (F2020) is Europe’s very first citizens’ initiative. It is supported by over 100 NGOs from all across the EU and beyond, around 50 MEPs from all major political parties, and an increasing number of EU citizens. On October 26 it started collecting signatures online. Without investing a single Euro into its campaign, it already collected several thousand signatures from all 27 member states.

A better future for China-Europe relations

In the eight months since I became Vice Foreign Minister in charge of European affairs, I have paid nearly ten visits to Europe. During each visit, I witnessed the tremendous efforts made by Europe to cope with the debt crisis, and I am very glad to see that some of these efforts are showing effect gradually. China has provided firm support to Europe since the outbreak of the debt crisis.

“We want Lithuania to join the Euro as soon as possible” – Estonian President

Estonia’s support for Lithuanian eurozone adoption is unwavering, especially since Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves has just declared that he hopes to see Lithuania and Latvia joining the single currency as soon as possible, highlighting that such a move would expand Baltic influence “in the so-called European core.”

Klaipėda on preliminary list of seaports for cargo transit from Afghanistan

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis says the country's port of Klaipėda is on the preliminary list of seaports for NATO countries' cargo transit from Afghanistan as the Alliance is getting ready for ending tactical actions in the country.

Discussions about future Baltic projects take place in Klaipeda

The next Baltic joint project between Latvia and Lithuania will take the form of a mail and air companies. According to Transport Minister, Eligijus Masiulis, the initiative of a joint postal company is favoured by Vilnius and Riga. Nonetheless, he cautions that the possibility of establishing a joint airline needs to be carefully assessed by the experts on both nations first

Lithuanian Prime Minister officially invited to Davos economic forum

Lithuania's Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has received an official invitation to the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum that will traditionally be held in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, the government has said on Monday. Signed by World Economic Forum president Klaus Schwab, the letter says that Kubilius' contribution was highly appreciated during a recent summit in China

“It’s important for Lithuania that the eurozone solves its problems” – Presidential advisor

European integration forges ahead with closer cooperation in the banking sector amongst EU Member States. From the Lithuanian perspective, the Presidential advisers have communicated that through analysis about this cooperation is required, despite the country’s support for continuous and deeper integration

Lithuania and Sweden share common approach to socially responsible business

Thursday, September 20, Vilnius - President Dalia Grybauskaitė welcomed the winners and organizers of the Swedish Business Awards. During the event, which is taking place the sixth year already and has become traditional, awards are conferred on Lithuania-based businesses for innovative, transparent and socially responsible business. At the so-called “Business Nobel Prizes” ceremony, outstanding entrepreneurs in Lithuania are awarded by the Embassy of Sweden and the Swedish Trade Council, Press Service of the President reports.

Cooperation protocol signed between Lithuania and Poland

Despite the undiplomatic undertones often seen between Lithuania and Poland, it is business as usual in the latest round of meetings between the economy ministries of both nations. Today, Lithuanian Deputy Economy Minister Daumantas Lapinskas and his Polish equivalent, Mr. Andrzej Dycha sat down to discuss and signed a cooperation protocol designed to fortify bilateral trade relationships in the transport, energy and investment sectors.

Ilves: EU has to be a demanding partner for neighbours who have chosen the European way

"The European Union must continue to be an encouraging and trusting yet demanding partner for its closest neighbours that have chosen the European way," said Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves at his meeting with the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the German Parliament Ruprecht Polenz.

The Image of Lithuania in Spain: Progress Achieved and New Ways to Explore

Šarūnas Jasikevičius announced in late July that he is going to play for Barça basketball club next season. Four months ago, the Lithuanian distribution chain Maxima purchased the fourth largest supermarket chain in Spain. This means that they will be present in southern Spain and the Canary Islands, thereby commencing business activities for the first time outside of the Baltic states and Bulgaria.

In view of euro crisis, Lithuanian businesses boost exports to Scandinavia

With the euro falling, Lithuania is boosting exports to the Scandinavian countries, chief economist with Swedbank, Lithuania’s leading commercial bank, comments. Lithuania’s exporters had shifted their focus to Eastern and Scandinavian countries amid turmoil in the euro zone, Nerijus Mačiulis said adding that the re-launch of Orlen Lietuva refinery after turnaround made a solid contribution to the growth in exports in June.

The Lithuanian partnership of success, by Walsh

Despite hardships suffered by Lithuanians due to recessionary pressures its economy and those of its neighbouring Baltic States, is weathering the crisis better than are others. The adversity in Spain and Greece, by comparison, puts those of the Baltic States in even better perspective. A Lithuanian order, placed with Spain’s Mondragon Assembly, is fuelling an increase in jobs and local wealth in a company that is also bucking tends.

National Energy Independence Strategy was adopted

An important piece of legislation has just received the maximum endorsement by the Seimas. On Tuesday, June 26th, the Parliament gave its backing to the National Energy Independence Strategy. The strategy establishes the fundamental objectives about Lithuania’s energy sector and the policies that need to be implemented in full by the year 2020. Furthermore, it sets a roadmap guiding the energy sector development by 2030 and 2050.

Lithuania’s strategists look in the Nordic direction

Every year, Lithuania is moving closer and closer to its neighbours in the North. The extent of foreign direct investment from Scandinavia continually grows, the export curve turns upwards. Strategic projects are also moving forward – Lithuania is graduating from a mentor-mentee relationship into equal partnership, experts think, Dovilė Jablonskaitė writes in 15min.lt portal.

Commission’s initiative to stimulate growth and jobs in Europe

The European Commission has announced the biggest ever set of calls for proposals under its 7th Framework Program. In total, €8.1 billion will support projects and ideas in the EU-27 that will boost region's competitiveness and tackle urgent issues that could create additional growth and jobs in 2013. Universities, research organisations and businesses in the Baltic States have to be active in searching for the EU funds.

Strategic issues discussed in Berlin

On May 10 in Berlin, Lithuanian and German Ministers of Foreign Affairs Audronius Azubalis and Guido Westerwelle discussed ways of strengthening the bilateral partnership, which would lead to closer political, economic and cultural ties between the countries and contribute to the European future, reports ELTA.

Lithuania remains open for importers and exporters

By the reason of the economic crisis, trade volumes are declining, however, Lithuania manages to maintain export. The decrease in domestic consumption made the import decrease, but consumers’ confidence is rising, so it is likely that volume of import will also remain stable.

Economic development in Lithuania allows a country to remain competitive

Although the latest macroeconomic indicators of Baltic States raise skepticism, the economic analysts feel calm. The latter ones claim that Baltic States have grown disproportionately in a rapid pace for the last three years. Therefore, economic decline is considerably higher. A newly developed economic potential of Baltic States did not disappear. Conversely, after the recovery of world market, economies will definitely reveal their tremendous value.

14th World Lithuanian Symposium takes place in Vilnius

On 7-10 August the 14th World Lithuanian Symposium is taking place in Vilnius. The event is organized by the Lithuanian World Community (LWC), which is a non-profit and non-governmental organization that unifies Lithuanian communities all over the world.

Kazakevičius wins Olympic bronze at London 2012

A Lithuanian Greek-Roman wrestler Aleksandras Kazakevičius claimed an Olympic bronze medal on Sunday’s night. The 26-year-old was awarded after his respective win (3:0) over Denmark’s Mark Overgaard Madsen in the 74kg division. A par terre defence took the first period for the Lithuanian with a gut wrench in the second on his way to victory.

For centuries Lithuania and Poland have fought together for freedom

At the Air Base in Zokniai on July 27, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis met with Polish Air Force personnel who are conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic States. Ažubalis thanked them for their service and stressed the importance of the Lithuania-Poland security cooperation in responding to common challenges.

Prognosis: climate change could boost the Baltics’ tourism popularity

As a result of the climate change, the British Iles and the Baltics could become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, Head of Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Forecasting Centre Andris Viksna said in an interview to Lietišķā Diena (Business Day), Baltic News Network (BNN) reported on 1 August.

Red Hot Chili Peppers singer Kiedis presented his Lithuanian roots shown on a family tree

On the evening of the July 28 concert in Kaunas, world-famous American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers singer Anthony Kiedis was presented his family tree proving the singer’s Lithuanian roots. Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis and on the initiative of Lithuanian diplomats produced for Kiedis a genealogy chart dating back to the end of the 1800s that shows the family line to his great-grandparents in Tauragė County.

The brightest Olympic hope for Lithuanians – the last word says V.Alekna

Two-time Olympic champion Virgilijus Alekna should boisterously bid farewell to the great sport at the London Olympics. Nearly two-thirds of the Lithuanian population believes the biggest hope for the forthcoming Olympic Games are linked to the 40-year-old discus thrower. According to the DELFI commissioned “Spinter research” survey, the majority of Lithuanians expects a total of 1-3 Olympic medals, Delfi.lt reported on 23 July.

Number of foreigners invited to work in Vilnius on rise

Number of foreigners coming to work to the capital of Lithuania at the invitation of Vilnius companies has been growing recently. In the first half of this year compared to year-on-year, Vilnius County Police Headquarters Migration Board confirmed much more invitations of legal person. It validated 18,062 invitations, almost by 5,000 items more than at the same time last year.

Wrestler Kazakevich – incredibly persistent and proud to be Lithuanian

The first Olympic joy came to Lithuania when swimmer Rūta Meilutytė won gold only days into the Games. It took six days before another Olympic medal shone on a Lithuanian chest – also won by a young and little-known athlete, 26-year-old Greco-Roman wrestler Aleksandr Kazakevich, Asta Žukaitė and Aurimas Tamulionis.  

A historic chance for Lithuania’s foreign policy

As far as foreign policy is concerned, over the past two decades Lithuania achieved much more than harsh sceptics could have imagined and probably a little bit less than absolute optimists forecasted. We are full-fledged members of the transatlantic security zone, European political and economic zone, we’ve gained stability and trust, mastered new instruments and areas of cooperation, Member of the Parliament Petras Auštrevičius wrote in lrytas.lt portal on 13 July.

Evolution and prospects of Lithuania-Poland relations

At the conference “Lithuanian-Polish relations: diagnosis and key challenges” in the University of Warsaw on July 9, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Egidijus Meilūnas discussed relations between Lithuania and Poland in the past, present and future, and their impact on the countries’ efforts to fulfil their EU and NATO targets.

Free Internet in Vilnius

Five places in the city center such as town hall and some squares or streets now have a free wi-fi service. Authorities of Vilnius claim that Internet access will benefit not only for local residents, but for guests of the city aswell. The free service will contribute to the image of Vilnius as modern and innovative city. Wi-fi will also increase possibilities for Lithuanians to work where they want and will benefit for the entrepreneurial skills.

Grybauskaite warming up to the populace

On delivering her annual report on June 7, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, unlike previous occasions, has tried to identify herself with the nation, reports ELTA. Her main message was the necessity to continue the already-begun work on the changes in the government, says communications’ science expert Dr. Andrius Suminas from Vilnius University.

Increasing unemployment in Lithuania

Lithuanian Labour Exchange data show that in 12 January 2012, the number of the unemployed reached 233.8 thousand. It amounts to 11.3 percent country’s working age population. Within a week, territorial labour exchanges gave an unemployment status for 8.9 thousand of job seekers, 2.7 thousand more than previous week.

Last year there were sold more flats than it was built

According to the MG Valda analysis of Vilnius housing sales in 2011, last year there were sold more flats than it was built. The company evaluation shows us that in recent years, the accumulated fund of new dwellings – soluble.

A Lithuanian doesn’t necessarily need a Lithuanian surname

The record after the defeat by the Russian basketball team said it – maybe it’s the last record. However, a new Olympic victory brightened my mood. This Olympics has been the most successful since the restoration of Lithuanian independence. I’m glad that I was an Olympic attaché. Many have worked with the basketball team because I was its leader. The players didn’t shine this time. But other sports’ successes will allow us to forget the basketball team’s failures…

Meet the man who listens to voice of the people

Youthful in his strict English-style suit by day in his office at Spinter Surveys, a market and public opinion research company he heads, changing to a hip, flamboyant checkered jacket at an invitation-only party at night, 35-year-old Ignas Zokas embodies the new style and type of a modern Lithuanian businessman and leader.

Electrical Bridge Project to Poland Is Moving Forward

The electrical bridge project to connect Lithuania with the western energy system is expeditiously moving forward not only in Lithuania, but in Poland as well. The ‘LitPol Link’ connection, which should begin operations in about three years, will help Lithuania to reduce its dependence upon Russia’s energy system.

Statisticians news for the food industry: Lithuanian diet is changing

Beef and veal are becoming a delicacy while the consumption of vegetables is growing. Statisticians are sending a message to the food industry about the rapid changes in Lithuanian dietary habits – of the 15 basic food products consumers had been faithful to over the last decade, only dairy products and eggs remain. Beef has been replaced by poultry; fruits and berries have been replaced by sugar.

Children of Emigrants Studying in Virtual Vilnius School

Great Britain, Norway, Germany, Thailand or even Nepal – Lithuanian emigrants and their children are scattered all over the world. Many of them still heard the school bell ringing from Vilnius on 1 September. There are currently over 1000 students in Oz’s Gymnasium. However, 570 of them only see the school’s walls once every six months during the examination period. They all spend their days before a computer; remotely communicating with teachers, preparing homework or mastering a new lesson.

7 Tricks To Waking Up Earlier

Not only does the early bird get the worm, he's generally happier and has a higher overall satisfaction with his life."We don’t know why this is, but there are a few potential explanations. Evening people may be more prone to social jet lag; this means that their biological clock is out of sync with the social clock," Renee Biss, a researcher wrote in a study conducted by the University of Toronto.