“The United States of America is the key strategic ally to Lithuania, its support is vital for both, strengthening Lithuania’s national defence capabilities and providing actual deterrence in the eastern flank of the Alliance,” Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis said at the meeting with members of US Senate visiting Lithuania.

On January 5 soldiers of the Royal Netherlands Air Force with four Fighting Falcon F-16s fighter aircraft began a new rotation of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission. After four months of mission a French Air Force detachment transferred the mission to the Dutch air contingent during a handover ceremony at Šiauliai Air Base.

Aarhus in Denmark and Pafos in Cyprus are Europe's cultural capitals for this year. Since the capitals of culture initiative was launched in 1985, 54 cities around Europe have had the honour. The aim is to highlight the richness of Europe’s cultural diversity and looks at its shared history and heritage. Read more about this year’s cultural capitals.

The United States has deployed special forces units in the Baltic states to bolster the training and resolve of troops of the NATO allies anxious about “a looming threat from Russia,” and help the US detect any “shadowy efforts” by Moscow to destabilize the former Soviet republics, according to the The New York Times (NYT) report last Sunday.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė extended congratulations to President Doris Leuthard of the Swiss Confederation on assuming office for the second time.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack on a nightclub in Istanbul during the New Year celebration on 1st of January which left 39 people dead and dozens injured. We express our deep condolences to the families and friends of those Turks and foreigners who suffered in the attack and all the people of Turkey.

The European Union has been among those calling for a new cessation of hostilities in Syria ever since the last one broke down in September. In this context, the announcement of an agreement for cessation of hostilities on the eve of a New Year is welcome.

On 29 December, Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius had a meeting with the Chairman of the US Senate Committee on Armed Services John McCain, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and congressional advisors, who were on a visit to Lithuania.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with U.S. Senator John McCain, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Lindsey Graham, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senator Amy Klobuchar, member of the Joint Economic Committee. The meeting focused on cooperation between Lithuania and the United States in defense matters, the implementation of the decisions made at the NATO summit in Warsaw as well as the security situation in Europe and the region.

With 2017 just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about New Year's resolutions. One option could be to volunteer. Since 1996 the European Voluntary Service has enabled some 100,000 young people to volunteer in projects in and outside Europe. Watch our video to find out more and who knows, it might inspire you to take up volunteering as well!