EU Trade Commissioner, Karel De Gucht, today welcomed a ruling by an independent panel at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that certain conditions which Argentina introduced for firms wishing to import goods into the country break WTO law. Commenting on the ruling, Commissioner De Gucht said:

President Dalia Grybauskaitė extended congratulations to President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine on the occasion of Ukraine's Independence Day. She wished peace and unity in defending their country.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania condemns in strongest terms brutal killing of American journalist James Foley. Those responsible for this shameful and heinous act must be found and held accountable.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė spoke on the phone with President Giorgi Margvelashvili of Georgia to discuss regional security and preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit which will be held on 4-5 September in Wales.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Oleksandr Turchynov, to discuss the security situation in Ukraine and the European Union, ratification of the association agreement, and implementation of European reforms that are needed for the country's development.

Little attention is paid to volunteers, but their tireless and sometimes dangerous work helps to make a difference to the millions of victims of natural and man-made disasters. Every year World Humanitarian Day is held on 19 August to honour the people who dedicate their lives to making a difference. Read on to find out what the EU, the world´s largest humanitarian aid donor, is doing to support their work.

On the eve of the NATO Summit in Wales, U.S. President Barack Obama is coming to the Baltic States. On 3 September in Tallinn, President Dalia Grybauskaitė together with U.S. President Barack Obama, Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Latvian President Andris Bērziņš will discuss what NATO measures are necessary for ensuring the security of the Baltic countries and for enhancing the region's defense.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has allocated humanitarian assistance of 30 thousand Euros to the Palestinians affected by the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The funds will be transferred to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which carries out assistance programmes to the Palestinians.

Members of the delegation of the Lithuanian Parliament that visited Iran see many unused cooperation opportunities.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė extended congratulations, both personally and on behalf of the Lithuanian people, to President François Hollande of the French Republic on his 60th birthday.