The Minister of Transport and Communications stated that Lithuanian Post (LP) managed to stabilise the situation with regard to the distribution of higher mail volumes; however, not everyone is satisfied with the result. According to the Minister, the public, employees and other stakeholders remain concerned and there is still a significant gap between their expectations and the achieved results. Marius Skuodis expressed his opinion on the matter during a remote meeting with the company board.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on migration flows in the EU.

The Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committees will vote on whether to give their consent to the trade and cooperation agreement between the EU and the UK on Thursday.

MEPs will debate a citizens’ initiative to ban the use of cages for farm animals , together with experts, Commissioners and representatives of other EU bodies on Thursday.

This week, the Future Mobility Group is to commence its activity in the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The Group is to take on ambitious tasks of promoting the creation and development of innovative solutions in the transport sector and of increasing sector competitiveness and Lithuania’s innovation potential.

On 9 April, laboratory research company Rezus.lt opened its Covid-19 testing site near the passenger terminal of Palanga Airport. Paid testing services will be provided here in line with the flight schedule, with services also set to be provided on weekends.

Wishing to ensure transparent and professional management of state-owned companies the Ministry of Transport and Communications, following public consultations with staff selection agencies and state institutions and enterprises, decided to improve the board members’ selection process. Some actions are to take immediate effect. Staff selection agencies are to actively engage in all stages of board members selection, and greater focus is to be put on setting up candidate requirements. Proposals to change legislation will be submitted with regard to other matters raised during consultations.

A ceremony to mark the joining of two Smiltynė Ferry Terminal ferry hull blocks took place on 8 April. This event signifies the commencement of a new stage of the vessel construction. The new ferry is scheduled to be released to water in July.

The Commission is mobilising €123 million from Horizon Europe, the new EU research and innovation programme, for urgent research into coronavirus variants. This first emergency funding under Horizon Europe adds to a range of EU-funded research and innovation actions to fight the coronavirus and contributes to the Commission's overall action to prevent, mitigate and respond to the impact of coronavirus variants, in line with the new European bio-defence preparedness plan HERA Incubator.

Each day of a pandemic can present ever new challenges, but systematically planned processes make it possible to step up the fight against COVID-19 threats. Consistent work over the last few months, ensuring a fast, coordinated and safe vaccination process for the population, allows us to state: Kaunas is ready for mass vaccination. The electronic online registration system of Kaunas residents, which started at the beginning of March, will be of special benefit here.