What can protect you against severe forms of COVID-19: a test or a vaccine? Vilnius believes that vaccines is the only way to containing the pandemic. Following the national-level resolution to offer free COVID-19 testing to those who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, the number of tests done in Vilnius has increased almost seven times, however, the capital city has no plans to increase the scope or resources of testing any further. It has decided to focus on vaccination instead.

Vilnius is looking forward to more impressive laser and light performances – inspiring, uniting and at the same time causing no harm to the environment and health, like fireworks. The capital’s Council has just adopted a resolution whereby the city committed to create an alternative to fireworks for celebrations and important occasions of the city, especially the New Year.

After months of lockdown, travel and tourism have slowly restarted. Discover what the EU recommends to ensure safe journeys.

Lithuanian Airports, managing three air gateways in Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga, record a rapid recovery of passenger aviation. Compared to the first quarter of 2021, the number of passengers more than doubled and the number of flights on offer was 71% higher in the second quarter.

MEPs adopted rules to facilitate making more data available to help create new products and innovation, in particular in Artificial Intelligence.

MEPs want the deadlock in international negotiations on the establishment of two protected Antarctic marine areas to end soon.

The Regional Cyber Defence Centre (hereinafter RCDC) was officially established in the beginning of July, it will operate as an element of the National Cyber Security Centre under the Ministry of National Defence. Col Romualdas Petkevičius, who was appointed director of the RCDC on July 14 says he will seek to make the RCDC become a regional practical cooperation platform that will help prevent cyber-attacks on the countries’ critical infrastructure in the nearest year. In the following interview Col R. Petkevičius presents the RCDC vision and nearest work plans.

Today, the European Commission adopted the New EU Forest Strategy for 2030, a flagship initiative of the European Green Deal that builds on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. The strategy contributes to the package of measures proposed to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions of at least 55% by 2030 and climate neutrality in 2050 in the EU. It also helps the EU deliver on its commitment to enhance carbon removals by natural sinks as per the Climate Law. By addressing the social, economic and environmental aspects all together, the Forest Strategy aims at ensuring the multifunctionality of EU forests and highlights the pivotal role played by foresters.

The new EU Ethics Body would be able to initiate investigations on possible conflicts of interest or “revolving door” cases for Commissioners, MEPs and staff.

The Commission has announced renewed support for those most in need in Iran and Pakistan with €22 million in humanitarian aid. This package will assist those most affected by man-made crises, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate induced and other natural disasters in the region.