In view of the upcoming celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Pope St John Paul II in 2020, the Seimas decided to designate the year 2020 as the Year of St John Paul II. The decision (draft No. XIIIP-4158(2)) was adopted by 78 votes in favour with no votes against and no abstentions.

Smuggled cigarettes account for 21.3% of Lithuania's tobacco product market, up by 2 percentage points compared with a year ago.

This year, the Christmassy city of Vilnius will once again surprise by its unconventional solutions – an alternative Christmas courtyard will be open from the 20th of December till the 5th of January. The capital will offer a space for winter festivities in the former Lukiškės Prison (Lukiškių skg. 6) for those in search for different Christmas. Everyone, who is open to experiments and metamorphoses, are welcome to enjoy light installations, an alternative Christmas tree – a sculpture of running water, and interactive swings at the courtyard.

The European and Asian ministers are discussing issues of digitalization of transport systems and reduction of emission of carbon dioxide today, in ASEM 5th Transport Ministers’ Meeting held in Budapest (Hungary). One more issue that is discussed is importance of durability of European and Asian transport networks. The Lithuanian and Japanese Vice Ministers of Transport are signing a bilateral Memorandum of Cooperation in their bilateral meeting.

Kaunas was recognized as one of the most promising cities for tourism in the latest Financial Times fDi Magazine ranking Tourism Locations of the Future 2019/20. It was given a ninth place in the Foreign Direct Investment Strategy category. In addition, one of the most influential global rankers noticed Kaunas in other five areas.

On 12 December 2019, the Seimas decided to lower the age of conscription to the mandatory initial military service. As of 1 January 2020, the conscription age of male citizens changes from 19–26 to 18–23 years. The change was introduced by the amendments to the Law on National Conscription (draft No XIIIP-3037(2)), which were adopted by 88 votes in favour, with 1 abstention.

Lithuania will need to spend 14 bn euros over ten years to meet its climate change commitments.

Lithuania's power transmission system Litgrid is looking for producers of a study on Lithuania's electricity development until 2050, with the tender's winner expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2020.

The European Commission on 9th December updated the EU Air Safety List, the list of airlines that do not meet international safety standards, and are therefore subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union. The EU Air Safety List seeks to ensure the highest level of air safety for Europeans and all other passengers travelling in the European Union.

A modern multifunctional parking lot has been launched in Vilnius Airport, the largest airport in the country. The parking lot has nearly 1,000 new parking spots, a car rental centre is being completed and it also has electric cars charging stations.