Vilnius, June 18 (ELTA) – The package of amendments to real estate and income taxes will be put to final vote on Thursday next week, a week later than initially planned, the Seimas speaker has said.

An extraordinary sitting was held Monday to debate the draft legislation, with the vote to pass it scheduled for a parliamentary sitting on Thursday.

“We will see how it goes on 26 June. The vote to pass the rest of the tax package will be held on that day,” Saulius Skvernelis told Žinių radijas on Wednesday.

The Democrats For Lithuania leader said his party will support the Coalition Council’s decision not to tax primary homes. However, the Seimas on Monday voted in favour of a bill proposing taxing primary homes valued at EUR 450,000 and above, a subsequent motion tabled by the ruling Social Democratic Party (LSDP).

Skvernelis said his party would stick to the Coalition Council’s agreement, adding that the Social Democrats would need to seek support from other parliamentary groups.

Vilnius, June 17 (ELTA) – President Gitanas Nausėda has called a meeting of the State Defence Council (VGT) for Wednesday to discuss the security situation and progress on the development of critical infrastructure, his adviser Frederikas Jansonas told ELTA.

In the previous sitting held in mid-April, the VGT discussed proposed changes to the law on the principal structure of the Armed Forces. It agreed to seek a raise of the number of professional soldiers in the coming 15 years to 20,000, as a result of the First Division that is currently being restored.

The upcoming sitting is also expected to address preparations for the NATO summit in The Hague scheduled for 24-25 June.

In January, the VGT agreed to allocate 5-6% of Lithuania’s GDP annually from 2026 to 2030.

The State Defence Council is composed of the president, the Seimas speaker, the prime minister, the minister of national defence and the chief of defence.

Vilnius, June 17 (ELTA) – The Seimas has raised the corporate tax rate by 1% to 7% and 17%, depending on the size of a company. The new rates will take effect on 1 January 2026.

In the final vote on Tuesday, 96 MPs supported the corporate tax bill to 19, while eight MPs abstained. 

Large businesses will pay the rate of 17% on their profits while the reduced rate of 7% will apply for small and medium-sized companies with annual income of up to EUR 300,000.

The corporate tax rates were already raised by 1% at the beginning of this year. Additional revenue from both hikes are set to go to the State Defence Fund.

MPs also backed a proposal to extend a one-year period of the 0% corporate income tax rate for small business to two years.

The increased corporate tax is expected to bring EUR 47.3 million to the state budget in 2026 and EUR 134.5 million in the following year. 

Vilnius, June 17 (ELTA) – The Seimas has voted to approve a new levy on insurance contracts to collect revenue for the State Defence Fund as of next year.

In the final vote, the security contribution bill was backed by 104 MPs to 11, while 15 MPs abstained.

A 10% rate will apply to all insurance contracts except for life insurance and compulsory insurance of motor vehicles from 2026.

The Seimas also approved Social Democrat MP Matas Skamarakas’ proposal to Seimas to establish tax breaks for farmers who would not need to pay taxes on their crop and farm animal insurance. The MPs opposed his bid to tax the insurance of agricultural machinery.

The Parliament rejected the opposition’s proposal to set out a size of the security contribution in insurance contracts. It was tabled by Conservative MPs Gintarė Skaistė and Mindaugas Lingė.

The insurance levy is expected to bring EUR 82.5 million in revenue to the state budget next year and EUR 110 million in 2027.

Vilnius, June 18 (ELTA) – First Lady Diana Nausėdienė on Wednesday met with participants of the Lithuanian International Student Services (LISS) program at the Presidential Palace, the presidency said.

“I wholeheartedly welcome you to Lithuania—the homeland of your roots, culture, and history. Lithuania is not only the land where our ancestors were born but also the country of our hearts, which we carry with us wherever we go. Although you live far away, today you are at the very heart of Lithuanian identity,” said Diana Nausėdienė, as she welcomed the program participants.

According to the first lady, Lithuanians are a diaspora nation, making it vitally important that our expatriates preserve the Lithuanian language, culture, and traditions from generation to generation—and, through them, maintain a close connection with Lithuania.

“We deeply appreciate the efforts of you, our diaspora youth, to learn more about modern and contemporary Lithuania. We value the contribution of Lithuanians in the United States and Canada in nurturing Lithuanian identity, promoting our culture and history across the Atlantic, and strengthening our economic, scientific, and cultural ties,” she pointed out.

The first lady emphasised that Lithuania offers many opportunities to apply knowledge gained abroad and international experience. This is supported by statistics: for five years now, the number of people returning to Lithuania has exceeded the number leaving.

“Everyone is welcome in Lithuania—those who return to live here, those who maintain ties, work, create, and contribute to Lithuania’s prosperity from afar. There are many ways to get involved: by strengthening Lituanistic schools, implementing cultural projects, attracting tourists to Lithuania, and in the future—by creating businesses, investing, and sharing scientific and professional achievements. I invite you to be active creators of a ‘returning’ Lithuania,” urged Diana Nausėdienė.

The first lady noted that LISS provides a unique opportunity to discover Lithuania not only through museums and historical sites, but also through lived experiences, interpersonal communication, and professional engagement.

“Your ability to preserve your language, traditions, and national identity is the greatest gift you can bring back from here. Because Lithuania is not just a land—it is a connection. Each of you is a bearer of that connection, an ambassador of Lithuania to the world. It is vital for our country that you, the younger generation, continue to preserve the Lithuanian language, culture, and traditions, and in doing so, maintain a strong bond with Lithuania. We truly hope the path you choose will be at least partly linked to Lithuania. I invite you to be active creators of Lithuania and to remember that you are always welcome here,” Nausėdienė emphasised.

The LISS program, running since 2009, offers bachelor’s and master’s students of Lithuanian descent living in the US and Canada the opportunity to do internships in Lithuania, experience modern Lithuania firsthand, reconnect with their national identity, strengthen ties with their homeland, and become young ambassadors for Lithuania abroad.

The program is organised by the Lithuanian American Community, with support from the Lithuanian Foundation (US) and the Kazickas Family Foundation (US). In 2025, the opportunity for young diaspora members to join the program is partially funded by the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through their initiative for projects by Lithuanian diaspora organisations.

This year, the 17th LISS brings together 28 students of Lithuanian descent from the US and Canada.

Vilnius June 18 (ELTA) – Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys on Tuesday took part in an informal video teleconference of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council, convened in response to the increased tensions in the Middle East following the military escalation between Israel and Iran, the ministry reports.

The minister stressed that Iran’s violations of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty pose an existential threat to Israel, neighbouring countries, and international security. This threat, according to the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy, must be stopped as soon as possible.

“We must do our utmost to ensure that Iran resumes negotiations and provides all information related to its nuclear activities without delay, gives access to the IAEA inspectors, and resumes full cooperation with this organisation,” Budrys said.

The Lithuanian foreign minister called on both sides to avoid further escalation and take urgent measures to stabilise the situation in the region. He said the decisive factor for stabilisation would be Iran’s decision to resume negotiations on the nuclear agreement and to eliminate violations of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty identified by the IAEA.

Minister Budrys also condemned Iran’s military support to Russia, which has been ongoing for three years, and called for a strengthened EU response.

EU foreign ministers also discussed coordinated action to assist European citizens wishing to leave Israel and Iran.

Vilnius, June 18 (ELTA) – Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry said it had summoned a representative of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Lithuania on Tuesday and handed in a strong protest over the heavy shelling of Ukrainian cities by the Russian Armed Forces last night, which killed or injured dozens of civilians, destroyed and damaged residential houses, educational and cultural institutions. 

Residents of Kyiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and other regions of Ukraine were affected by the terrorist attacks of the Russian armed forces, which may have involved the use of cluster bombs.

These attacks are part of Russia’s ongoing and recently intensified Russian terrorist campaign against Ukrainian civilians, as the country faces daily intense Russian missile and drone attacks deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure. 

This systematic Russian terror only proves once again that Russia deliberately disregrads international law, maliciously escalates, and shows no interest in a ceasefire and peace. Therefore, the international community must intensify its pressure on Russia and provide all-around support to Ukraine, according to a press release from the ministry.

The diplomatic note of protest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania draws attention, among other things, to the extremely cynical statement of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation that all the intended targets in Ukraine were destroyed. The document also underlines that Russia’s acts of aggression against Ukrainian civilians violate the fundamental norms of international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes for which there is no statute of limitations in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

At least 16 people were killed and 114 wounded in a Russian attack in Kyiv in the early hours of Tuesday. Russia launched more than 32 missiles and 440 drones in the strikes on Kyiv. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, said up to 14 people may be under the rubble.

Vilnius, June 18 (ELTA) – Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys says Lithuania sees a consensus on continued strong support for Ukraine as one of its key aims for the upcoming NATO Summit in the Netherlands.

The minister’s comment came after the parliamentary committees on defence and foreign affairs held a joint sitting Wednesday to discuss preparations for the bloc’s meeting due next week.

However, asked by reporters whether Lithuania would support the summit’s final declaration if it did not mention Ukraine, Budrys refused to give a clear answer.

“I believe we will have a document in place as there has never been a summit that did not have a document in its entirety, and we will manage to implement these tasks. I will not preempt (things) as we will really be working hard now,” he said.

The foreign minister also said that Lithuania expects firm statements in The Hague on NATO’s unity and keeping the Americans in the collective defence policy, as well as a historic decision on defence spending.

“It is still not all clear yet how it will work out, since there are still some countries that are not in favour of it (greater spending – ELTA) or are not in favour of a timeframe for when we could achieve it. We will also focus on Ukraine as an important third element,” Budrys Budrys said.

NATO heads of state and government and key partners will meet at the World Forum in the Hague on 24-25 June.

Luxembourg, June 18 (ELTA) – The euro area annual inflation rate was 1.9% in May 2025, down from 2.2% in April. A year earlier, the rate was 2.6%. European Union annual inflation was 2.2% in May 2025, down from 2.4% in April. A year earlier, the rate was 2.7%. These figures are published by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, on Wednesday.

Lithuania recorded the annual inflation rate of 3% in May 2025, down from 3.6% observed in April. A year ago, the rate was 0.9%.

The lowest annual rates were registered in Cyprus (0.4%), France (0.6%) and Ireland (1.4%). The highest annual rates were recorded in Romania (5.4%), Estonia (4.6%) and Hungary (4.5%). Compared with April 2025, annual inflation fell in fourteen Member States, remained stable in one and rose in twelve.

In May 2025, the highest contribution to the annual euro area inflation rate came from services (+1.47 percentage points, pp), followed by food, alcohol & tobacco (+0.62 pp), non-energy industrial goods (+0.16 pp) and energy (-0.34 pp).

Vilnius, June 18 (ELTA) – More than half of Lithuanians disapprove of the ruling coalition’s plan to create a ministry of regions, a proposal put forward initially by President Gitanas Nausėda, a public opinion poll for the LRT broadcaster shows.

Among those interviewed, 67% said they opposed the idea of another ministry, 18% welcomed the proposal and another 15% were undecided or did not answer the question.

The establishment of the Ministry of the Regions is mainly welcome by residents of major cities, specialists, civil servants and managers working in the public sector, and respondents who said they trust local government.

The idea of another ministry is viewed negatively mostly by men, people over 30 years old, those living in rural areas and smaller towns, workers, farmers, people of other nationalities and those who do not trust local government.

Pollster Baltijos Tyrimai carried out the survey in May and June.

Last September, President Gitanas Nausėda suggested a new Ministry of Regions could take over the functions of shaping regional policies from the Ministry of the Interior.

A few other ministries could also hand over some of their functions to the new body, enabling it to pursue national policies that meet regional expectations, Nausėda said back then.

Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič told ELTA he believed the new ministry would strengthen the country’s regions. He also said the Ministry of Regions could start operations in 2026, with a package of legislation set to be tabled in Parliament this year.

Vilnius, June 18 (ELTA) – The second edition of GameTech, Lithuania’s flagship video game accelerator powered by GameBCN and supported by the Lithuanian government and Startup Lithuania, concluded with a dynamic Demo Day. Ten studios showcased the results of three months of acceleration, Startup Lithuania agency said in a press release on Wednesday.

Karolina Urbonaitė, Head of Startup Lithuania at Innovation Agency Lithuania, stated that “programs like GameTech accelerator show how Lithuania can attract international talent while continuing to empower its own studios. We’re excited about what’s coming next.”

Joan Francesc Bañó, CEO of GameBCN, emphasised the long-term goal of the program: “With GameTech, we’re helping shape a new generation of game developers capable of thinking globally while growing locally. Lithuania has the creativity, ambition, and institutional support to become a reference point in Europe.”

The event brought together industry professionals, investors, and publishers from across Europe, reinforcing Lithuania’s ambition to become a leading player in the regional game development ecosystem. Each participating studio presented their progress, sharing gameplay demos, visual developments, and market strategies with a highly engaged audience.

Generating consistent revenue is essential for studios to keep creating, and initiatives like GameTech play a vital role in laying that foundation.

This edition featured a diverse mix of teams from Lithuania, Germany, Denmark, and Spain, working on projects across genres such as rhythm games, puzzle adventures, narrative simulators, and socially driven storytelling. The strong international presence reflects GameTech’s growing appeal and Lithuania’s role as a welcoming environment for global talent.

The event featured a professional panel that brought together key figures from the Lithuanian game development ecosystem, including Mingailė Joniškė (Honeyplot Games) and Tomas Narbutaitis (Matima Studio), both participants in the GameTech program; Rasa Narkūnaitė (Dumplings Inc.); Vilius Šlapelis (Innovation Agency Lithuania); and Ricardas Jascemskas (Lithuanian Game Developers Association). 

During the panel, Lithuanian teams shared their pride in how much the country’s game development scene has evolved in a short time. At the same time, they highlighted a key challenge: for the industry to continue growing, it must be viewed not just as a passion project, but as a sustainable business.

GameTech’s Demo Day not only marked the end of the program — it reaffirmed Lithuania’s growing presence on the global game development stage.

As GameTech’s second edition comes to a close, the accelerator is already looking ahead to its third edition. Applications are now open until 30 June at https://gametech.gamebcn.co 

Vilnius, June 18 (ELTA) – The Novian IT group’s consolidated revenue in 2024 amounted to EUR 38.9 million and grew 2.4% compared to 2023, INVL Technology said in a statement via the stock exchange on Wednesday. 

The group’s EBITDA for the 12-month period was EUR 2.57 million and was 2.1 times the previous year’s figure. The operating profit for last year was EUR 1.5 million, or 14.3 times the amount in 2023.

Novian last year earned most of its revenue – 59% – from activities related to IT solutions, with another 24% coming from software development and 17% from IT services. Its companies conducted operations in 37 countries, earning 77% of their revenue in Lithuania, 12% elsewhere in Europe, and 11% in other countries of the world.

“We are pleased with last year’s results, which again show that the success of an IT business depends not just on experience and the application of relevant innovations but also work together with clients to create innovations. I am grateful to the team, which has contributed to this,” says Tomas Vitkus, CEO of the Novian group.

He says that, looking forward, the priority areas for Novian’s work include not only projects for national institutions and businesses, but also defence projects, artificial intelligence and high-performance computing solutions to address the challenges of climate change, and potential applications of quantum technologies.

The Novian group consists of Novian Technologies, Novian Systems and Novian Pro in Lithuania, Novian Eesti of Estonia, Andmevara of Moldova, Zissor of Norway, and Novian Rwanda of Rwanda. The Novian group’s results for 2024 are based on the audited results of Novian Technologies, Novian Systems, Novian Pro, and Zissor, and the unaudited results of the group’s other companies. The Novian group is owned by INVL Technology, a company that invests in IT businesses and is part of  Invalda INVL, asset management group.

Vilnius, June 18 (ELTA) – A fire broke out in a battery waste facility on the outskirts of Vilnius Tuesday evening, police have said.

Lithium battery waste was housed in the sorting facility on Sandėlių Street that caught fire at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The blaze damaged the building and the battery waste.

An investigation into the cause of the fire has been opened.

Lithuania has recently faced a series of large fires at waste plants, which prompted prosecutors to form a task force to investigate the causes of the incidents. The National Crisis Management Centre (NKVC) and the Fire and Rescue Department (PAGD) had said there was no evidence found to link the fires to sabotage or other criminal activities.

Several companies suffered large fires in recent months. At the end of April, a blaze erupted in waste management facility operated by the company Energesman in Vilnius. On 8 May, a power plant caught fire in Kaunas, which incinerates waste to produce heat and electricity. A fire was also reported in a scrap metal yard in Alytus city a day later. On 10 May, flames erupted in plastic product factory Plasta in Vilnius. Casualties were not reported in these incidents.