European Parliament and Council negotiators agreed on a new scheme to protect the so-called “geographical indication” of traditional crafts at the EU and international level.

Parliament’s Environment and Industry Committees last week adopted their position on reducing methane emissions in the energy sector to reach EU climate goals and improve air quality.

The last Sunday in March will mark the start of the new summer aviation season. This year, airlines will offer more than 80 direct regular routes to passengers at Lithuanian airports. The planned routes include destinations that are attractive to business travelers as well as European cities that are popular with holidaymakers for leisure and sightseeing trips.

On Tuesday, Parliament and Council negotiators agreed to increase the uptake of sustainable fuels, such as advanced biofuels or hydrogen, in the aviation sector.

The intensive construction phase of the new passenger departure terminal of Vilnius Airport, which began this year, will bring another convenient innovation to passengers in the future – 2 new telescopic passenger boarding bridges that will be installed, and the modernization of the current ones. An international public procurement has been already announced for the selection of bridge modernization and purchasing partners. It is planned to sign a contract by July, and the installation of the new telescopic passenger boarding bridges will be completed by the beginning of 2025.

Lithuania and Armenia have signed a cooperation agreement in the field of technology and innovation, which will promote long-term partnerships between the two countries.

Lithuania and South Korea plan to enhance their collaboration by boosting maritime transport and logistics connectivity and broadening their ties in the domain of transportation infrastructure advancement. These possibilities were a topic of discussion for Minister of Transport and Communications Marius Skuodis during his visit to South Korea this week, where he engaged in talks with the Ministers of South Korea.

A Lithuanian expert team takes part in the world’s largest live-fire exercise, Locked Shields 2023, on April 18-21. The Lithuanian team is formed by Ministry of National Defence, Lithuanian Armed Forces, National Cyber Security Centre, Defence Intelligence and Security Service, Core Center of State Telecommunications, Lithuanian Riflemen Union and National Defence Volunteer Force specialists.

President Gitanas Nausėda and President Vahagn Khachaturyan of Armenia opened the Lithuania-Armenia Business Forum on Wednesday.

MEPs adopted the reform of the EU’s Emissions Trading System including for aviation and maritime, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and a new Social Climate fund.