Society

Innovative Enterprise Status - a way out of bureaucracy and a route to incentives

2025-03-26T16:00:20+02:00

The Ministry of the Economy and Innovation (EIMIN) is initiating changes that would enable the Innovation Agency to grant Innovative Enterprise Status to domestic companies. The agency will also be given additional functions to ensure that large technological and innovative companies are involved in export promotion activities.

"If we want to stimulate innovation, increase competitiveness and build a more efficient economy, we need to take immediate action to make the desired progress. That is why we are initiating changes to the way innovative company status is granted to companies. This will free them from excessive bureaucracy, make administration more convenient and faster, and give them more opportunities to benefit from incentives," said Lukas Savickas, Minister of the Economy and Innovation.

Granting companies the status of Innovative Enterprise is a vote of confidence in our country's innovators, as it will open the way to faster recognition of innovative activities and identification of research and experimental development activities. This would allow them to benefit from the corporate tax relief available under the current regime.

In addition, many national and EU support programmes give priority to innovative companies. This status also enhances the company's image among partners or investors, which can help attract talent and foster cooperation with research institutions.

According to the Minister L. Savickas, the aim is also to enable the Innovation Agency to more actively promote the export of large technological and innovative companies, to better monitor their activities and to make proposals to the Ministry on how to increase the internationalisation of these companies. This will help companies to diversify their markets.

"Our goal is to accelerate the transition of Lithuania's export structure towards high value-added by consistently growing internationally competitive Lithuanian exporters so that their turnover continues to grow and reaches hundreds of millions of euros," the minister said.

Currently, export incentives are targeted only at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), but the SME thresholds are relatively low, so the state has cut off support for companies with significant growth potential. This leads to the paradoxical situation that such companies receive less attention from the state and are excluded from the available instruments. These amendments therefore aim to strengthen the state's ability to contribute to the export promotion of such companies by opening up new markets for them.

By including large companies in the export promotion system, the Innovation Agency will be able to make a greater contribution to Lithuania's strategic goal of reorienting exports towards high technology, both in terms of scope and impact.

The amendments to the Law on Technology and Innovation have been submitted to the relevant institutions for approval.

https://eimin.lrv.lt/

Road safety: deal for modern EU driving licence rules

2025-03-25T14:40:39+02:00

Parliament and Council negotiators agreed new driving licence rules, introducing a mobile licence, a probation period for new drivers, and “accompanied” driving.

The agreement on an update of EU driving licence directive reached on early Tuesday morning is intended to improve road safety in Europe, with almost 20,000 lives lost on EU roads annually.

Training on phone usage and driving in dangerous conditions

MEPs managed to insert new requirements so that drivers are better prepared for real driving situations and develop sufficient risk awareness of pedestrians, children, cyclists and other vulnerable road users. To qualify for a licence, a driver will have to learn about safe phone usage while driving, blind spot risks, driver-assistance systems, the safe opening of doors, and driving in snow and slippery conditions.

Mobile driving licence

A digital driving licence, available on a smartphone with EU-wide digital wallet technology, will become the main format in the EU, under the new rules. Member states will have five years and six month following the entry into force of the new rules to implement this. However, MEPs made sure drivers will continue to have the right to request a physical driver’s licence.

Two-year probation for new drivers, alcohol limit

For the first time, EU rules will set a probationary period of at least two years for new drivers. Novice drivers will be subject to stricter rules and sanctions for driving under the influence of alcohol and driving while not using safety belts or child-restraint systems. MEPs secured an encouragement in the text for EU countries to pursue a zero tolerance policy on alcohol and drugs, that would ban consumption for all drivers.

Lowering the eligibility age for professional licences, introduction of accompanying drivers

To mitigate a shortage of professional drivers, the minimum age whereby a driver can obtain a truck licence will be lowered from 21 to 18, and for a bus driving licence from 24 to 21, provided the applicant holds a certificate of professional competence. EU countries may allow 17-years-old to drive a truck or van on their territory only, if accompanied by an experienced driver. This system of accompanied drivers will apply more widely across the EU for car drivers.

Validity and health checks

Negotiators agreed that driving licences should be valid for 15 years for motorcycles and cars. EU countries may reduce this period to 10 years if the licence can be used as a national ID, while truck and bus licences will have to be renewed every five years. EU countries can shorten the validity of driving licences of older drivers (65 years and older).

Before they are issued with first licence, a driver should pass a medical check, including of their eyesight and cardiovascular condition. However, for car drivers or motorcycle riders EU countries may opt to substitute the medical check by self-assessment forms or, in case of driving licence renewal, other alternative measures. At the initiative of MEPs, national authorities will be encouraged to enhance the public awareness of minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving.

Quote

EP rapporteur Jutta Paulus (Greens, DE) said: "The new driving license directive makes people's lives easier – more digital, more flexible, and with less bureaucracy. At the same time, we are sending a clear signal for greater road safety in line with Vision Zero: fewer accidents, fewer injuries, and fewer fatalities on our roads.

Additionally, we introduce uniform standards across Europe and make it easier for young people to enter the driving profession. On top, we strengthen our volunteer civil protection services and tackle the shortage of skilled workers in the transport sector. Finally, we ensure that no one’s right to drive is restricted due to long processing times.”

Next steps

The preliminary deal still needs to be approved by Council and Parliament. EU countries will have four years to transpose new provisions into national law and prepare for its implementation.

Background

Revised EU driving licence rules are part of a road safety package presented by the Commission in March 2023, which aims to improve safety for all road users and to move as close as possible to zero fatalities in EU road transport by 2050 ("Vision Zero"). The same package also contains driving disqualification rules on which Parliament and Council negotiators are working to find an agreement.

Ref.: 20250324IPR27462
www.europarl.europa.eu

Minister Sabutis Calls for Strengthening Military Mobility Links and EU-NATO Cooperation

2025-03-24T15:47:59+02:00

Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications Eugenijus Sabutis emphasizes the need to strengthen transport resilience in response to current challenges. He advocates for securing additional European funding for military mobility projects, while reducing bureaucratic barriers and procedures between the European Union (EU) and NATO. During the informal meeting of EU transport ministers in Warsaw, Minister Sabutis also proposed measures to ensure the seamless movement of both civilian and allied transport.

“In response to current challenges, it is essential to enhance cooperation between the EU and NATO. There is potential to reduce bureaucracy and streamline procedures, enabling our allies to benefit from a more efficient logistics system that meets their needs and aligns with NATO standards. Strengthening military mobility links and their security is critical. We propose the development of various transport and telecommunications infrastructure projects that will facilitate the seamless movement of people and allied forces across the Baltic States and Poland,” said Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications Eugenijus Sabutis.

Mr. Sabutis emphasizes the crucial role of transport links – particularly the Via Baltica motorway and the European gauge railway Rail Baltica – in enhancing connectivity and national security for the Baltic States. He stated that Lithuania will actively collaborate with its neighbors to ensure these projects receive sufficient funding in the upcoming EU multiannual financial framework.

According to Minister Sabutis, it is particularly important to develop the North-South transport corridor, which connects the Baltic, Black, and Aegean Seas. The new TEN-T network already includes a European rail link to Klaipėda, the shortest route between Lithuania and Ukraine, as well as new military mobility connections from Białystok through Augustów, Lazdijai, and Alytus to Vilnius.

Moreover, during a meeting between the Lithuanian Deputy Minister Julijus Glebovas and his Polish counterpart, it was agreed to explore the possibility of launching an additional train between Vilnius and Warsaw next year. It is expected that the travel time between the two capitals could be halved by 2027.

The estimated cost for dual-purpose projects in Lithuania, designed to meet both civil and military transport needs, is approximately €3.5 billion. Additionally, Lithuania requires an extra €4 billion to complete the Rail Baltica project by 2030.

Earlier this year, the Lithuania and Poland applied to the European Commission for funding to adapt the Augustów-Vilnius road to meet military mobility requirements.

The construction of the Rail Baltica railway from Kaunas to the Latvian border will extend to 114 km by the end of this year. Construction of the 46.3 km section of the main line embankment and civil engineering works is currently underway between Kaunas and Panevėžys.

Three of the four sections of the 40 km long Via Baltica section in Lithuania (from Marijampolė to Poland) have already been completed, with 28.5 km of the trunk road finally modernised. The last section will be completed this year.

www.sumin.lrv.lt

Energy Minister: The Baltic States Could Become a Model for EU Infrastructure Protection and Resilience

2025-03-20T12:04:09+02:00

Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas participated in the European Union’s Transport, Telecommunications, and Energy Council meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on March 17. He also met with European Commission (EC) Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy Henna Virkkunen, and European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen.

During the council meeting, ministers discussed the protection of the European Union’s (EU) critical energy infrastructure, energy security architecture, and the Action Plan for Affordable Energy to ensure that the EU remains resilient, adaptable, and prepared for potential physical and cyber threats. They also addressed the need to secure independence from fossil fuel prices while increasing independence from fossil energy sources.

“The security situation in the Baltic Sea Region remains tense, requiring measures to protect critical energy infrastructure from potential cyber and physical attacks. Although the synchronization of the Baltic States was successfully completed, the work does not end here. The Baltic Sea Region, where several serious incidents have occurred that caused damage to critical infrastructure and energy supply disruptions affecting electricity prices, could become a model for strengthening the security and resilience of critical infrastructure. Lithuania is also learning from Ukraine’s experiences in critical infrastructure protection and is providing full support to Ukraine,” said Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas.

During the council meeting, ministers also discussed the current situation and next steps on EU regulations related to gas supply security and electricity risk prevention. These regulations are key elements of the EU’s energy security system.

To ensure Europe’s energy security and sovereignty, the EU must fully end the remaining energy imports from Russia. Lithuania completely stopped importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia in 2022, and this year, with the successful synchronization of its electricity grid with continental Europe, Lithuania has secured energy independence from Russia.

During the council meeting, Lithuania urged the EC to present an action plan as soon as possible with specific measures to help member states eliminate LNG imports from Russia. “In the current geopolitical context, we must move immediately from planning to concrete actions,” said the minister.

During the Energy Council meeting, Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas met with European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen and European Commission (EC) Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy Henna Virkkunen. The discussions focused on energy security issues in the Baltic States and Poland and the next steps in strengthening regional resilience. The minister also thanked the EC for its initiatives to strengthen energy security and Poland for raising this issue on the EU political agenda.

The minister emphasized that the key element in preparing for potential energy crises is critical infrastructure protection – both from physical and cyber threats. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen infrastructure protection and resilience by creating new solutions, requiring not only national but also EU-level funding, with particular attention to regions with increased threats. “The Baltic States and Poland are ready to become a model for EU infrastructure protection and resilience, which, in collaboration with the EU and NATO, could be applied in other regions,” said the minister.

During his visit to Brussels, the Minister of Energy also met with other important EC officials to present Lithuania’s position on energy policy issues important to Lithuania and the EU. Additionally, Lithuania joined the group of countries supporting renewable energy for the first time at the meeting of the Friends of Renewables. Lithuania’s membership was warmly welcomed. During this meeting, the role of renewable energy resources in strengthening energy security and reducing energy prices was discussed. “We must continue to accelerate the development of renewable energy resources, with a special focus on simplifying permitting processes for energy production, network infrastructure, and energy storage devices and their connection to transmission networks,” said Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas.

During the Energy Council, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia presented the successful synchronization of the Baltic States’ electricity grids with continental European networks and emphasized the necessary future steps to ensure the security of energy infrastructure, particularly within the scope of the synchronization project.

The next informal EU Energy Ministers’ meeting is scheduled for May 12-13, 2025, in Warsaw, Poland.

https://enmin.lrv.lt/

Lithuania withdraws from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention

2025-03-19T12:52:01+02:00

On March 18 at 9 a.m. (Vilnius time), Lithuania, Poland, Latvia and Estonia announced their withdrawal from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention). Military threats to the countries bordering Russia and Belarus have significantly increased over the past years, that requires strengthening deterrence and defence capabilities.

The unanimous recommendation to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention which Baltic and Polish Ministers of Defence have come up with in an intense debate sends a strategic message: all possibilities will be exhausted to strengthen deterrence and ensure effective defence while freely availing of military solutions of free choice. The decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention is passed by the President and the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.

Lithuania ratified the Ottawa Convention in 2003. The threat perception has changed fundamentally since then, the security situation has deteriorated and the former legal commitment is now seen as a curtailment of Lithuania’s capabilities and choice in national defence.

“The common regional decisions sends a clear message: countries bordering russia are prepared to use everything possible to protect their citizens. We have reached a unanimous position in an intense debate that represents the united standpoint of the Baltic states and Poland regarding the difficult geopolitical situation. We want to establish mutual principles to ensure the most effective possible border protection. We have also discussed our standpoint with the Allies, on the ground or in preparations. I am grateful to them for the constructive approach to the sensitive situation we are in,’ says Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė.

Russia, the aggressor in the war in Ukraine, is not a party to the Ottawa Convention. It has vast stockpiles of anti-personnel mines and use them intensely against a signatory of the Ottawa Convention, Ukraine.

Anti-personnel mines are an effective and relatively low-price means to disrupt pedestrian movement of infantry forces and establish a strong and hardy defence line to block an advancing force.

Lithuania will continue adhering to the recognized principles and norms of the international law addressing methods and means of warfare and protection of civilians despite denouncing the Ottawa Convention. Lithuania is absolutely serious about it commitments concerning implementation of the Geneva Conventions and the Additional Protocols and will do everything required to mitigate any humanitarian implications of anti-personnel mine use.

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NATO Crisis Management Exercise 2025 kicked off

2025-03-18T16:30:32+02:00

Lithuania and the Allies are training at CMX’25 on March 13-18, 2025. The real-world hybrid and military threat-simulating scenario will train and test the Alliance’s consultation and decision-making procedures in the time of crisis. The exercise takes place for the 24th time.

“NATO CMX is an opportunity to test in practice and perfect our response mechanisms across different emergencies – at both civilian and military level. This is an important instrument for Lithuania that keeps our readiness on fleek and helps ensure effective cooperation with the Allies so that we stay quick and coordinated in our response to emerging threats, as well as to test-run our national response systems, plans and decision-making,” pointed out Vice Minister of National Defence Tomas Godliauskas.

Held since 1992, CMX includes civilian and military representatives of the NATO HQ, Commands and member states, in CMX’25 they will interact with the Council of the EU, European Commission and the European External Action Service.

The decision-making training exercise will be based on an undisclosed scenario and will not include forces training in military areas.

“When we look at the big picture of NATO, with will always have to begin with ourselves. As a strong link in the Alliance, we contribute to the action on collective deterrence and readiness to act. Therefore, this exercise is an opportunity to assess and strengthen the inter-institutional crisis prevention and management coordination and institutional readiness for emergencies,” says Government Chancellor Laimonas Rudys.

“Collective defence is the underlying principle of NATO. It is necessary to ensure a smooth and efficient collaboration of the 32 Allies, effective national and collective NATO response procedures and decision-making more than ever. NATO CMX offers a chance to test our readiness and to continue improving Allied cooperation skills in the times of crises together,” Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Julius Pranevičius says.

In Lithuania the exercise is coordinated by the National Crisis Management Centre and includes participants from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, the Interior, Transport and Communications, Health, Energy, State Security Department, Defence Intelligence and Security Service under the MoD, Police Department, Mobilization and Civil Resistance Department, Defence Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, State Border Guard Service and Health Emergency Situations Centre under the Ministry of Health.

www.kam.lt

After the Tragedy in North Macedonia, Lithuania to Treat Four of the Country’s Citizens

2025-03-17T11:57:59+02:00

On the night of 16 March, following a tragedy in one of North Macedonia’s nightclubs, the country reached out to European Union member states through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre, requesting them to take in fifteen critically ill patients. Lithuania responded to this call for help and is accepting four patients.

“Lithuania stands with North Macedonia in the face of this tragedy, responding to the urgent request for assistance. We thank the Romanian Air Force for ensuring the transportation of the injured to Lithuania – this is a great demonstration of the strength of solidarity among European nations, and the mutual assistance mechanism is working smoothly, helping one another when it is needed most,” said Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas.

The National Crisis Management Centre, which coordinated the interaction between countries and institutions, expressed gratitude to Lithuanian authorities for their prompt response to the request for aid and their involvement in providing assistance to those affected.

“The patients from Macedonia require urgent medical treatment. They are in critical condition, and our specialists will be mobilised to provide immediate care. Later, these individuals will need ongoing treatment, possibly additional procedures and surgeries. We will, without a doubt, provide all of this,” said Minister of Health Marija Jakubauskienė.

According to Minister Jakubauskienė, in cooperation with hospitals, an emergency transportation and treatment plan for the Macedonian victims of the fire was swiftly put in place. From Monday morning, four emergency medical resuscitation vehicles were prepared to receive the injured Macedonians from the aircraft at the airport and transport them to hospital.

The nightclub tragedy in North Macedonia occurred during a concert. The fire claimed the lives of at least 59 people and left 155 injured.

www.lrv.lt

Rail Baltica Project Implementation in Lithuania is Accelerating

2025-03-12T16:41:00+02:00

Julijus Glebovas, Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications, met with the heads of the companies implementing the Rail Baltica project in Lithuania and urged them to speed up the implementation of the project. The aim is to build the European railway line from Kaunas to Panevėžys as early as possible and to connect the Lithuanian and Polish sections at the same time.

The meeting with the management of LTG Infra, the company of the Lithuanian Railways Group (LTG) implementing the project in Lithuania, and representatives of the Management Board and Supervisory Board of RB Rail AS, the Baltic joint venture, discussed the progress of the Rail Baltica project and the next steps to be taken.

Deputy Minister Glebovas stressed that in the current geopolitical context it is particularly important to increase the pace of the construction of the European railway line between Kaunas and Panevėžys. According to the Deputy Minister, it is also crucial to prepare for the construction towards the border with Poland in the shortest possible time.

“We believe that one of the ways to achieve this is to optimise operations and resources prioritising those parts and sections of the project that connect us to the West and enable train traffic. Rail Baltica is also pivotal for military mobility and national security. We need to complete the project by 2030, so we expect the responsible companies to take all possible measures to speed up the work,” said the Deputy Minister.

Construction of the 46.3 km of the Rail Baltica’s mainline embankment and civil engineering structures is currently underway in Lithuania on the section from Kaunas to Panevėžys. Construction work is expected to extend to 114 km by the end of this year, covering 43% of the entire first phase line. During the meeting, the national implementing body AB LTG Infra also committed to increase the pace of construction.

To complete the remaining design work on this section, AB LTG Infra took over the design contract for the 78 km section from Kaunas to Ramygala from the Baltic joint venture RB Rail as early as 2024.

“Last year, LTG Infra, which is implementing Rail Baltica in Lithuania, finalised operations that will have a lasting impact on accelerating the project. The management model has been changed following agreement between the parties concerned, which means that we are taking over the contracts in Lithuania from the Baltic joint venture. Among the most important achievements are the agreements with international partners, the designer IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture, S.A.U. and the contractor Rizzani de Eccher, which allow us to continue with the construction of the Neris Bridge and the design of future sections,” said Arenijus Jackus, Director of Rail Baltica Lithuania.

On the stretch from the Polish border to Jiesia (Kaunas), planning of the territories has been completed, and land is being purchased. A contract for the design of this section is expected to be signed promptly.

So far, €1.6 billion have been earmarked for the Rail Baltica project in Lithuania. The aim is to spend no less than one third of the European Union (EU) funds allocated for Rail Baltica this year.

Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications Eugenijus Sabutis, who has met with the EU Commissioner for Transport and other senior officials in Brussels last week, stressed the need to increase European investment in Rail Baltica and other strategically important transport infrastructure projects in Lithuania. The implementation of Rail Baltica in both countries and its financing were also among the key issues discussed at a meeting of Lithuanian and Polish Transport Ministers in Warsaw earlier this year.

Rail Baltica is the largest rail infrastructure project in the history of the Baltic States, connecting Tallinn, Pärnu, Riga, Panevėžys, Kaunas, Vilnius and Warsaw. The total length of the Rail Baltica line in the Baltics will reach 870 km: 392 km in Lithuania, 265 km in Latvia and 213 km in Estonia.

www.sumin.lrv.lt

Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on February 24–March 2, 2025

2025-03-10T14:42:02+02:00

On February 24–March 2 NATO Air Policing Detachment in the Baltic states was alerted to intercept aircraft of the Russian Federation violating international aviation regulations in international airspace over the Baltic Sea twice.

On February 24 NATO fighter aircraft identified and escorted one AN-26 flying in international airspace from Kaliningrad to the mainland of the Russian Federation, with its on-board transponder but without the pre-filed flight plan and not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.

On February 25 NATO fighter jets were scrambled to intercept one SU-24MR flying through international airspace from Kaliningrad and back, with its on-board transponder switched off, no flight plan and without maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.

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The Government approved the algorithm for responding to cable damage in the Baltic Sea proposed by the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of the Interior

2025-03-03T13:59:09+02:00

The Government has approved the algorithm of response to incidents against underwater infrastructure where key role in action against diversion and detention of suspect ships is played by the State Border Guard Service in cooperation with the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

The Ministry of National Defence had issued a non-paper concerning interpretation of the international law of the sea a little earlier responding to the increasing number of incidents.

Action was taken in light of the worsening security situation in the Baltic Sea, namely, the undersea cables being damaged more frequently.

“The increasing incident rate and resulting damage requires additional action on improving infrastructure security in the Baltic Sea, including updating the legal basis in force. Amendments to acts of the international law of the sea outline systemic changes for a more effective and quicker incident response. We have put in place means and algorithms to facilitate coordination between the responsible institutions and to improve protection of the critical infrastructure consequently,” says Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė.

The algorithm clearly defines procedures, such as ship boarding, detention or arrest, and indicates concrete actions to be taken and coordination required in case of damaged energy and communications infrastructure.

“Security of the critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea is vital for key functions of the state and energy stability. We are particularly attentive about the maritime boundary – we need to be ready to counter the threats related to possible provocations, hybrid attacks. The tense security situation in the region and such incidents as cut off communications and power cables in the Baltic Sea clearly demonstrate that additional measures are needed, as well as stronger inter-institutions cooperation and interaction between responsible institutions. We are certain that when approved, this algorithm, will equip us fully to respond to incidents expeditiously, which makes it also an element of deterrent,” noted Minister of the Interior Vladislav Kondratovič.

The algorithm for incident response in the Baltic Sea was developed by the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of the Interior and other institutions. Inter-institutional cooperation was presided over by the National Crisis Management Centre.