On April 15 NATO Baltic Air Policing fighter aircraft were scrambled to conduct patrolling over the Baltic Sea.

On April 15 fighter aircraft conducting the NATO QRA mission were scrambled to intercept one IL-76 and one IL-20 flying in international airspace from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad. The IL-20 aircraft had no flight plan, its onboard transponder was switched off, the aircraft kept radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. The IL-76 had no pre-filed flight plan, its onboard transponder was on, the crew kept radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.

On April 16 NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept two SU30SM flying in international airspace from Kaliningrad and back, without the flight plans, onboard transponders off, not maintaining radio communication.

On April 18 NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept one SU-27UB and one IL-20. The SU-27UB was flying in international airspace from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad. It had no pre-filed flight plan, its onboard transponder was off, the crew was maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. The IL-20 was flying from Kaliningrad and back without a pre-file flight plan, without using the onboard transponders, but maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.

On April 19 NATO fighter jets intercepted one IL-20 flying in international airspace without the flight plan, its onboard transponder was off, the crew maintained radio communication with the regional traffic control centre.

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In order for this process to run smoothly, all the necessary procedures and regulations were harmonised enabling the airlines registered in Lithuania operate flights both to and from the USA. Amendments to the Law on Aviation were also implemented, and the fines provided for in the Code of Administrative Offences for offences related to aviation activities were increased.

“After almost 3 years of intensive work by the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the institutions, Lithuania has successfully completed the audit procedure of the US Federal Aviation Administration and was included in the list of countries in our target category. This creates favourable conditions for airlines operating in our country to conduct transatlantic operations. This is an important impetus for the development of the country’s aviation business and increasing competitiveness in the global market,” said Marius Skuodis, Minister of Transport and Communications.

U.S Ambassador to Lithuania Kara C. McDonald said, “I congratulate the government of Lithuania, especially the Ministry of Transport and Communications and civil aviation authorities, on this achievement. This Category 1 ranking provides opportunities to expand connections and deepen economic ties between the United States and Lithuania.”

Airlines registered in Lithuania will be able to freely conduct operations in the USA not only from Lithuania, but also from other countries of the world. For example, a company based in the Caribbean or Canada can order cargo to be flown to the USA through Lithuanian carriers.

Depending on the nature of the flights – whether they will be one-off, charter or scheduled – air carriers will still need to go through certain procedures, submit applications and obtain permission from the US Department of Transportation (DOT).

In order to grant permission to operate flights in the US, the FAA conducts an audit of a foreign country’s civil aviation oversight system, which audits its compliance with the civil aviation safety standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and assigns Category 1 or 2 to countries. The right to operate new flights to the territory of the United States is granted only to air carriers from the countries that were assigned Category 1. Such an audit was conducted in Lithuania in April 2023, with conclusions presented later, and at the end of last year, the FAA experts came to the country to evaluate how their additional requirements were implemented in order to be able to operate flights in the US airspace.

“The entire process lasted about two and a half years, with several state institutions involved – the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Seimas and the Government, the Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration and the Public Enterprise Transport Competence Agency. We are pleased that the work of our specialist team in preparation for the FAA audit was evaluated positively. We hope that Lithuanian airlines will successfully develop their operations in a new region where they have not operated flights before,” said this project’s manager Mantas Kerdokas, advisor to the Strategic Planning and Finance Division of the Transport Competence Agency (TKA).

According to the TKA, 1 company has already submitted an application to fly in the US airspace. It is expected that 2 more carriers could use the opportunity to fly passengers, mail and cargo to or within the USA.

Creation of new opportunities for the development of activities of the Lithuanian aviation companies and access to the USA and other priority markets is one of goals provided for in the Lithuanian aviation guidelines until 2030. These Guidelines, prepared and approved a couple of years ago together with market participants, set priorities and strategic directions for developing the country’s aviation sector and improving air transportation.

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The text adopted covers cars, vans and heavy-duty vehicles in one single legal act and aims to further lower air pollutant emissions from exhaust fumes and brakes. The new regulation also establishes stricter lifetime requirements.

Better and cleaner vehicles

The Euro 7 regulation establishes rules for the exhaust emissions of road vehicles, but also for other types of emissions such as tyre abrasion and brake particle emissions. It also introduces requirements for battery durability. For cars and vans, the regulation keeps the existing Euro 6 exhaust emission limits but introduces stricter requirements for solid particles. For heavy-duty buses and lorries, the regulation imposes more stringent limits for various pollutants, including some that have not been regulated until now, such as nitrous oxide (N2O). In addition, Euro 7 introduces stricter limits for particle emissions produced when braking, with specific limits for electric vehicles. The new rules also include stricter lifetime requirements for all vehicles in terms of both mileage and lifetime.

Next steps
Following the Council’s approval today of the European Parliament's position, the legislative act has been adopted.

After being signed by the President of the European Parliament and the President of the Council, the regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication.

The dates of application of the regulation will depend on the kind of vehicle concerned:

• 30 months for new types of cars and vans, and 42 months for new cars and vans
• 48 months for new types of buses, trucks and trailers, and 60 months for new buses, lorries and trailers
• 30 months for new systems, components or separate technical units to be fitted in cars and vans, and 48 months for those to be fitted in buses, lorries and trailers

Background
The Euro 7 regulation, which is part of the Commission’s 2020 Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and the 2021 Zero-Pollution Action Plan, was presented by the Commission on 10 November 2022. The Council adopted its position, or ‘general approach’, on 25 September 2023. The Council and the Parliament reached a provisional political agreement on 18 December 2023.

On 19 April 2023 the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2023/851 to strengthen the CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles, which sets a 100% reduction target for both cars and vans from 2035 onwards. While industry prepares for this change, which means that new combustion cars and vans will be banned on the internal market from 2035, such vehicles will remain available. Other internal combustion vehicles (lorries, buses and other heavy-duty vehicles) will continue to be produced after that date. The Euro 7 rules will be necessary to cover the emissions of cars and vans until that date, while other rules contained in the regulation (concerning brakes, tyres and battery life, for instance) will continue to apply to new cleaner cars and vans after 2035.

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/

 

The measures, composed of a regulation and a directive already agreed upon with the Council, were adopted with 433 in favour, 140 against and 15 abstentions, and 473 votes to 80, with 27 abstentions, respectively.

The law will protect consumers against volatile prices. MEPs ensured that they will have the right to access fixed-price contracts or dynamic price contracts, and receive important information on the options they sign up to. Suppliers will not be allowed to unilaterally change the terms of a contract.

MEPs also secured that EU countries can prohibit suppliers from cutting the electricity supply of vulnerable customers, including during disputes between suppliers and customers.

Contracts for Difference

The legislation provides for so-called “Contracts for Difference” (CfDs), or equivalent schemes with the same effects, to encourage energy investment. In a CfD, a public authority compensates the energy producer if market prices fall too steeply, but it collects payments from them if prices are too high. The use of CfDs will be allowed in all investments in new electricity production, whether from renewable or nuclear energy.

Electricity price crisis

The text sets out a mechanism to declare an electricity price crisis. In a situation of very high prices and under certain conditions, the EU may declare a regional or EU-wide electricity price crisis, allowing member states to take temporary measures to set electricity prices for SMEs and energy intensive industrial consumers.

Quote

“This reform puts citizens at the forefront of electricity market design. The text includes measures to protect citizens, especially the most vulnerable and to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources. The Parliament has taken a step forward in democratising energy, creating a market design that responds to the failures exposed by the energy crisis. All consumers, including micro, small, and medium-size enterprises will have access to long-term, affordable and stable prices.” lead MEP Nicolás González Casares (S&D, ES) said.

Next steps

After Parliament’s approval, Council also needs to formally adopt the legislation to become law.

Background

Energy prices have been rising since mid-2021, initially in the context of the post-COVID-19 economic recovery. However, energy prices rose steeply due to gas supply problems following Russia's war against Ukraine in February 2022. High gas prices had an immediate effect on electricity prices, as they are linked together under the merit order system, where the most expensive (usually fossil fuel-based) energy source sets the overall electricity price.

Ref.: 20240408IPR20316
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The memorandum was signed by Marius Skuodis, the Minister of Transport and Communications of Lithuania, and Andreas Carlson, the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing of Sweden.

“Lithuania appreciates Sweden’s exceptional achievements in ensuring traffic safety and efforts to protect every road user. Sweden has achieved the best results in the field of traffic safety in the European Union, so we are monitoring its achievements in improving road infrastructure and changing the behaviour of road users. Sweden is an excellent example and an important partner in achieving the goals of “Vision 0” – where there are no victims of road accidents”, said Mr. Skuodis, Minister of Transport and Communications.

“We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Lithuania on this important topic. Through the renewed MoU, we hope that the Swedish experience can continue to be useful in saving lives”, said Andreas Carlson, Minister of Infrastructure and Housing of Sweden.

By signing the memorandum, Lithuania and Sweden agreed to further develop the cooperation between the countries in the field of traffic safety, which began in 2018. The main areas of cooperation envisaged in this memorandum are transport policy, traffic safety and “Vision 0” strategy. Particular attention will be paid to the creation of a new traffic accident database in Lithuania, which will aim to collect accurate and detailed data on traffic accidents and use them in selecting measures to improve traffic safety.

The actions of the parties in accordance with this memorandum will be coordinated and planned by the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Swedish Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing.

Evaluating the number of road deaths per 1 million inhabitants per year, Sweden, with its last year’s indicator of 22, is the safest country in the European Union, while this number reached 56 in Lithuania.

Taking into account Sweden’s achievements, Lithuania is particularly interested in this country’s experience in the field of urban traffic safety systems and the planning of the “Vision 0” strategy, as well as in development of the areas of self-driving car driving and electric cars, and the implementation of anti-alcohol engine locks.

It is expected that the signed memorandum will expand the possibilities of cooperation between Lithuanian and Swedish experts and will contribute to the improvement of traffic safety.

Next week, an inter-institutional memorandum will be signed in Vilnius regarding the implementation of the action plan for the state traffic safety programme “Vision - Zero”, which will aim to significantly reduce the number of fatalities on the country’s roads by 2030 through the joint efforts of the country’s institutions.

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The Lithuanian Energy Agency will supervise and assess how the developers comply with their obligations regarding the implementation of greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, project deadlines, compliance of component suppliers and manufacturers with European and transatlantic integration criteria, investment in environmental protection in the offshore area, support for local communities and the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises in the projects.

Offshore wind farm developers will be required to report to the LEA on the progress of project implementation and the fulfilment of their obligations for the previous calendar quarter.

Failure to comply would result in a calculation of the value of the outstanding obligations and a fine.

The requirements approved by the Government provide incentives to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change during the construction of an offshore wind farm. At least 3 per cent of the construction of the farm will have to be carried out by small and medium-sized enterprises.

The successful tenderers will be required to contribute at least EUR 5 million each to the environmental protection of the Lithuanian maritime area. Once the offshore wind farms are built, the developers will be obliged to make an annual contribution (EUR 1 per 1 MWh of electricity generated) to the communities of municipalities in the vicinity of the farms. Preliminary estimates suggest that the amount paid by a single successful tenderer could be around EUR 3 million per year.

The consortium of Ignitis renewables and OW OFFSHORE, S.L. was awarded the first offshore wind farm tender launched on 30 March 2023. Offshore wind farm 1, established by the successful tenderers, has undertaken to build a wind farm with a capacity of 700 MW in the Lithuanian offshore territory. The wind farm is expected to start generating electricity around 2030.

The first phase of the second offshore wind farm tender is currently underway, with the registration of tenderers. Tender documents and bids can be submitted by 15 April this year. The successful tenderer of the second tender is expected to be announced in the third quarter of this year.

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During the ITF event, Mr Skuodis will be speaking at the panel discussion on today's regional and global challenges in transport, he will present Lithuania's transport sector and the country’s priorities for the ITF Presidency. Mr Skuodis will brief his colleague on Lithuania’s recent initiatives to garner ITF member countries support to Ukraine, and recently established Common Interest Group for Transport in Ukraine (CIG4U). Minister will also discuss the upcoming Chilean ITF Presidency’s priorities, and ways to further strengthen ITFs support to Ukraine. Chile will take over the ITF Presidency at the end of May 2024.

Mr Skuodis' meeting with his Chilean counterpart, Mr Juan Carlos Muñoz Abogabir, will focus on preparations for the ITF Summit in Leipzig, Germany, in May – the main event of the Lithuanian ITF Presidency. Additionally, they will discuss the ITF's ongoing efforts to help of Ukraine's transport infrastructure recovery.

Further, the two ministers will exchange on opportunities for facilitating air connectivity with the South American continent, and discuss expansion of bilateral cooperation in maritime transport, logistics and innovation.

The visit, scheduled from 1 to 3 April, will also feature Mr Skuodis's meetings with Mr Jose Antonio Santano Clavero, Spain's Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Mr Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), and Mr Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General of the Airports Council International (ACI).

The Minister will also visit the Valparaiso Seaport, the Santiago Electric Bus Depot and the Metro Control Centre, he will also meet with representatives of the Lithuanian diaspora in Chile.

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On Tuesday, the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee adopted its position on the new directive (66 votes in favour, two against and nine abstentions) and regulation (67 votes in favour, six against and seven abstentions) covering medicinal products for human use.

Regulatory data and market protection: incentives for innovation

To reward innovation, MEPs want to introduce a minimum regulatory data protection period (during which other companies cannot access product data) of seven and a half years, in addition to two years of market protection (during which generic, hybrid or biosimilar products cannot be sold), following a marketing authorisation.

Pharmaceutical companies would be eligible for additional periods of data protection if the particular product addresses an unmet medical need (+12 months), if comparative clinical trials are conducted for the product (+6 months), and if a significant share of the product’s research and development takes place in the EU and at least partly in collaboration with EU research entities (+6 months). MEPs also want a cap on the combined data protection period of eight and half years.

A one-time extension (+12 months) of the two-year market protection period could be granted if the company obtains a marketing authorisation for an additional therapeutic indication which provides significant clinical benefits in comparison with existing therapies.

Orphan drugs (medicines developed to treat rare diseases) would benefit from up to 11 years of market exclusivity if they address a “high unmet medical need”.

Step up the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

MEPs underline the need to boost the research and development of novel antimicrobials, notably through market entry rewards and milestone reward payment schemes (e.g. early-stage financial support upon achieving certain R&D objectives prior to market approval). These would be complemented by a subscription model-based voluntary joint procurement scheme, to encourage investment in antimicrobials.

They agree with the introduction of a “transferable data exclusivity voucher” for priority antimicrobials, providing for a maximum 12 additional months of data protection for an authorised product. The voucher could not be used for a product which has already benefited from maximum regulatory data protection and would be transferable only once to another marketing authorisation holder.

Among the new measures to promote the prudent use of antimicrobials, MEPs want stricter requirements, such as restricting the prescriptions and dispensation to the amount required for the treatment and limiting the duration for which they are prescribed.

Strengthened requirements for environmental risk assessment

These new rules would require companies to submit an environmental risk assessment (ERA) when requesting a marketing authorisation. To ensure adequate evaluation of ERAs, MEPs want the creation, within the European Medicines Agency, of a new ad-hoc environmental risk assessment working party. MEPs insist that the risk mitigation measures (taken to avoid and limit emissions to air, water and soil) should address the entire life cycle of medicines.

Increased independence for EU health emergency body

To effectively address public health challenges and boost European research, MEPs want the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA, currently a Commission department) to become a separate structure under the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). HERA should primarily focus on the fight against the most urgent health threats, including antimicrobial resistance and medicine shortages.

Quotes

Rapporteur for the directive Pernille Weiss (EPP, DK) said: “The EU pharmaceutical legislation revision is vital for patients, industry and society. Today’s vote is a step towards delivering the tools to tackle present and future healthcare challenges, particularly for our market attractiveness and medicine access across EU countries. We hope Council takes note of our ambition and commitment to create a robust legislative framework, setting the scene for prompt negotiations.”

Rapporteur for the regulation Tiemo Wölken (S&D, DE) said: “This revision paves the way to addressing critical challenges such as medicines shortages and antimicrobial resistance. We are strengthening our healthcare infrastructure and reinforcing our collective resilience ahead of future health crises - a significant milestone in our pursuit of fairer, more accessible healthcare for all Europeans. Measures improving access to medicines, whilst incentivising areas of unmet medical needs, are crucial parts of this reform.”

Next steps

MEPs are scheduled to debate and vote on the Parliament’s position during the 10-11 April 2024 plenary session. The file will be followed up by the new Parliament after the European elections on 6-9 June.

Background

On 26 April 2023, the Commission put forward a “pharmaceutical package” to revise the EU's pharmaceutical legislation. It includes proposals for a new directive and a new regulation, which aim to make medicines more available, accessible and affordable, while supporting the competitiveness and attractiveness of the EU pharmaceutical industry, with higher environmental standards.

Ref.: 20240318IPR19419
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On March 18 the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission Detachment aircraft were scrambled to identify and escort one IL-20 flying from Kaliningrad into international airspace and then back. It had no pre-filed flight plan, the onboard transponder was switched off and the crew was not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.

On March 19 the NATO air policing fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept one IL-76 flying from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia in international airspace. It had no flight a plan, the onboard transponder was on and the crew was maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.

On March 19 the NATO fighter jets identified and escorted one IL-20 flying from Kaliningrad and back through international airspace. It had no pre-filed flight plan, the onboard transponder was off, no radio contact.

On March 19 the NATO Air Policing fighter jets were scrambled to intercept one SU-24MR flying in international airspace from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia without the flight plan, its onboard transponder off, not maintaining radio communication.

On March 21 the NATO fighter jets identified and escorted one IL-20. It was flying in international airspace from Kaliningrad to the mainland of the Russian Federation without the flight plan, with its onboard transponder off, not maintaining radio communication.

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The first arriving will be accommodated in Vilnius from where they will plan the further progress of the stationing and agreement of requirements set for Host Nation infrastructure. The initial command element will increase in size by the end of the year and become responsible for the assistance in moving the rest of the Brigade to Lithuania.

When the training area at Rūdninkai is fully developed, the military area in Šalčininkai region will become the main service site for the German Brigade providing space for 80% of it. The rest of the Brigade will be based in Rukla.

The Rūdninikai Training Area is undergoing intense preparation for the constructions – internal road communication is built, tree stumps are milled and mine clearance carried out. The area will soon have new administrative, training, firing and other infrastructure needed for readiness activities of the German Brigade.

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