Lithuania continues unwavering support to Ukraine. In the end of Last week UAVs made by Lithuanian manufacturers, thermal imaging equipment and 5-ton telescopic loaders were transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

On Thursday, President Gitanas Nausėda and his team are working in Alytus District. The President began the day by attending the commissioning event for the synchronous compensator at the Alytus Synchronous Compensator Station.

The Head of State stressed that this event is a crucial step in the preparation for synchronization with the electricity grids of continental Europe. He also pointed out that Lithuania has implemented a number of significant energy projects in recent years, such as the opening of an international gas interconnection with Poland, the transfer of ownership of the Klaipėda LNG terminal to Lithuania, and the increase of the country’s own power generation capacity.

“All these projects share a single fundamental goal: achieving energy independence,” the President emphasized.

The Head of State said he was glad that there was not much time left to wait for energy independence. “In just a few weeks, together with Latvia and Estonia, we will finally be disconnected from the electricity system of a country that never stops exploiting energy for its own geopolitical purposes. It is symbolic that today we are at the very point where the Lithuanian and Polish electricity grids interconnect. Synchronization will soon happen here on 9 February,” the President pointed out.

Gitanas Nausėda emphasized the significance of the Alytus synchronous compensator, saying: “It will serve as the first line of protection, ensuring the reliability and resilience of the entire system. It will also support the rapid growth of green energy and, importantly, boost energy security across the region while reinforcing our reputation as a reliable partner.”

In February 2025, the Baltic electricity systems will synchronize with the Continental European Grid, enabling independent control of the electricity system’s most critical parameter: frequency.

Lithuania will operate a total of three synchronous compensators—located in Telšiai, Alytus, and Vilnius Districts—to ensure the reliable functioning of the entire power system and facilitate high-quality grid voltage regulation.

The first synchronous compensator began operating at the Telšiai Transformer Substation in October 2024, while the final compensator in Vilnius District is set to launch later this year.

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The potassium iodide pills previously distributed to residents and municipalities are about to expire and will be renewed shortly. Lithuania has purchased almost 5 million new tablets for €500,000, which will be distributed through pharmacies and municipalities to the residents of 17 municipalities within a 100 km radius of the Astravas nuclear power plant. Residents will be able to collect their tablets from their municipalities or from designated pharmacies.

On Sunday, 12 January, the Regulation on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) will become applicable, bringing a significant improvement in ensuring that innovative and effective health technologies are available to patients across the EU.

Baltic Culture Fund invites to submit applications for the funding tender by 22 February. The amount of the Fund for 2025 is €300,000.

From April, people travelling to the UK will need to obtain a travel permit.

In December 2024, consumer prices rose by 0.2 per cent, with annualised inflation at 2.1 per cent. - reports ELTA, citing data from the State Data Agency.

The unemployment rate increased in Lithuania in the last month of 2024, the Employment Service reported today.

On December 30, 2024–January 5, 2025, NATO Air Policing Detachment in the Baltic states was not activated to intercept aircraft of the Russian Federation violating international aviation regulations in international airspace over the Baltic Sea, nor to patrol airspace over the border of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and the Russian Federation.

The Commission launched a call for proposals for three editions of a European Festival of Journalism and Media Freedom.