The Commission is proposing for the first time measures to prevent microplastic pollution from the unintentional release of plastic pellets. Currently, between 52 and 184 thousand tonnes of pellets are released in the environment each year due to mishandling throughout the entire supply chain. Today's proposal aims to ensure that all operators handling pellets in the EU take the necessary precautionary measures. This is expected to reduce pellet release by up to 74%, leading to cleaner ecosystems, contributing to plastic-free rivers and ocean, and reducing potential risks to human health. Common EU-wide measures will also help level the playing field for operators.

While in Brussels, Wednesday Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas had a meeting with Federal Minister of Defence of Germany Boris Pistorius to address guidelines for implementation of the upcoming permanent stationing of a German Brigade in Lithuania. The Germans plan stationing the initial brigade HQ element in Lithuania next year.

The 1st Vilnius Biennial of Performance Art (VB23), dedicated to the 700th anniversary of Vilnius and taking place throughout the year, concludes its programme at the contemporary art fair ArtVilnius’23, between October 13–15 at LITEXPO.

On Wednesday, the Government of Lithuania approved a draft resolution of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to allocate EUR 350 thousand in humanitarian aid to Armenia.

Following the successful negotiations between the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Lithuanian Airports and the airlines, Lithuanian Airports have signed an investment agreement with LOT Polish Airlines, which will operate direct regular flights between Vilnius (VNO) and London City (LCY) airports. The Contract will be implemented under a new route development model that will ensure the continuity of flights to the strategically important financial hub of London, which has been served for the last few years.

The new rules would ensure victims get fair compensation when defective products, including digital or refurbished products, cause them physical and psychological harm.

On October 5-7 General Manager of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) Stacy A. Cummings and NSPA Director for Support to Operations Orhan Muratli are conducting a visit to Lithuania. NATO officials visited the ammunition depot constructions in Rukla, held meetings with Vice Ministers of National Defence Greta Monika Tučkutė and Renius Pleškys and other officials.

On Thursday, Parliament and Council reached a provisional deal to further cut fluorinated gases emissions, in line with EU and global climate goals.

On September 25–October 1 NATO Air Policing Mission Detachment fighter aircraft were scrambled twice to intercept aircraft of the Russian Federation flying in violation of flight rules in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.

From now on, more than 100 routes around Vilnius, as well as recommendations on entertainment and dining, which museums to visit or where to find green spaces in the city, are available in English on the ‘Neakivaizdinis Vilnius’ mobile app and the English version of the website: https://neakivaizdinisvilnius.lt/en.