The European Agenda on Migration adopted by the Commission in May 2015 set out the need for a comprehensive approach to migration management. Since then, a number of measures have been introduced – including the adoption of two emergency schemes to relocate 160,000 people in clear need of international protection from the Member States most affected to other EU Member States, and the endorsement of the Commission Action Plan on Return.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė extended congratulations, on behalf of the Lithuanian people and on her own behalf, to Johann Schneider-Ammann on assuming the office of the President of the Swiss Confederation.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia carried out 47 executions earlier yesterday.

On 1 January 2016 roughly 700 Lithuanian soldiers with designated infantry equipment and vehicles will begin standby for NATO and EU rapid response forces.

The free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Ukraine, which will fully come into force on January 1, 2016, will lower prices for Ukrainian goods in Lithuania and vice versa and will also allow businesses from both countries to save many millions of euros, Deputy Foreign Minister Raimundas Karoblis has said.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed two loans with the Municipality of Budapest:

On December 21 deployment ceremony was held for 7 troops leaving for Turkey to take part in NATO's air defence operation called Active Fence as the Deployable Communications and Information Systems Module (DCISM).

The EU decided to extend its sanctions against Russia for another six months until July 31, 2016. Besides political setback, there are tremendous economic damages both for European and Russian business. Still questions remain concerning sanctions' effects and perspectives.

The recent unrest in the Oromia and Amhara regions of Ethiopia has caused a considerable number of casualties and only a constructive dialogue among all affected parties can lead to a peaceful and sustainable resolution of such disputes. Working within the framework of Ethiopia's Constitution, all stakeholders need to continue such a dialogue and refrain from recourse to violence and inflammatory statements.

On behalf of the Lithuanian people and on her own behalf, President Dalia Grybauskaitė extended congratulations to Emperor Akihito of Japan on the occasion of his birthday and Japan's national holiday.