The European Commission has found a Greek auction scheme for the production of electricity from renewable sources and high efficiency cogeneration to be in line with EU State aid rules. The scheme will further EU energy and climate goals whilst preserving competition.

From 1 January, Leeuwarden (The Netherlands) and Valletta (Malta) will hold the title of European Capital of Culture for one year.

The European Union is closely following the ongoing demonstrations in Iran, the increase of violence and the unacceptable loss of human lives.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė extended congratulations to President Alain Berset of the Swiss Confederation on assuming office.

EU ambassadors (Permanent Representatives Committee) today endorsed the deal concluded with the European Parliament on 29 November on revised common safety rules for civil aviation and a new remit for the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The reform includes the first ever EU-wide rules for civil drones, that will allow remotely piloted aircraft of all sizes to fly safely in European airspace and will bring legal certainty for this rapidly expanding industry.

Plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions and boost absorption from forests as a way to tackle climate change were informally agreed by Parliament and Council on 14 December.

The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) published a Country of Origin Information (COI) Report entitled ‘Afghanistan – security situation’. The report is a third update of the version first published in February 2015 1 and provides a comprehensive overview of the security situation in Afghanistan, information relevant for the protection status determination of Afghan asylum seekers.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė offered condolences to President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines over the disastrous storm that took many lives, bringing devastation to towns and villages.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė extended congratulations on behalf of the Lithuanian people and on her own behalf to His Imperial Majesty Akihito on his birthday and Japan’s national holiday.

The UN General Assembly resolution on Status of Jerusalem, adopted on 21 December 2017, reaffirms the provisions of relevant UN resolutions, adopted earlier on this issue. The resolution also reflects a long-held common position of the European Union on this issue.