Vilnius, May 8 (ELTA) – Ammunition manufacturer Giraitės ginkluotės gamykla (GGG) posted revenue of EUR 28.4 million last year, up 24% from a year earlier, the company said. Its net profit rose 19% to EUR 3.6 million over the same period.

The small calibre ammunition manufacturer said the growth was driven by increased investment, expanded production capacity and rising demand for its products.

Shareholders more than doubled the company’s share capital last year, increasing it from EUR 22.9 million to EUR 47.5 million.

Giraitės ginkluotės gamykla said the move would allow it to double production capacity by 2027 and strengthen its ability to meet rising demand.

Revenue from ammunition sales rose by 27% over the year, while sales to the civilian market remained stable, increasing by 61%.

Last year, the factory exported 67% of its output. Export revenue reached EUR 19.3 million, up 25% compared with 2024.

Giraitės ginkluotės gamykla (GGG) is the sole ammunition factory in the Baltic States. 100 percent of its shares are owned by the Lithuanian state. The shareholders rights and duties are fulfilled by the Ministry of Finance.

Vilnius, May 8 (ELTA) – German Lidl discount supermarket chain in the Baltic States will be headed by Janusz Wlodarczyk, currently board member and chief operating officer for Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

He will replace Marin Dokozić, who has held the post since October 2025. 

Lidl Lithuania said on Friday that Dokozić will join the management board of the Germany-based Lidl Group, where he will oversee operations in several countries in southern Europe.

He will remain in his current role until the handover process is completed.

Wlodarczyk has more than 20 years of experience at Lidl. He has served since 2025 as board member and chief operating officer for Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and, according to the company, has contributed significantly to the group’s growth in the region.

The Baltic management team will also be joined in June by Lukasz Hejman as new board member and head of operations.

He has worked at Lidl for two decades, holding regional management roles in Poland and Germany as well as senior positions in other markets.

Vilnius, May 8 (ELTA) – Lithuania’s gas system operator Amber Grid said Friday it generated revenues of EUR 32.9 million in the first quarter of 2026, up by 58% from the same period last year. 

In January–March 2026, Amber Grid posted a net profit of EUR 15.8 million, or nearly four times more than in the same period a year ago.

EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) for the first quarter of 2026 totalled EUR 23.3 million, or more than triple from the first quarter of last year.

Adjusted EBITDA, which eliminates and reflects regulatory adjustments, amounted to EUR 8.3 million and was stable from the same period last year. and was EUR 0.1 million higher than in Q1 2024.

In the first three months of 2026, Lithuania consumed 6.77 terawatt hours (TWh) of gas, 19% more than in the first quarter of last year. The increase in gas consumption was mainly driven by a prolonged and colder-than-usual winter, which significantly boosted demand for gas used in heat and power generation.

Revenue from gas transmission activities rose to EUR 32.7 million, up from EUR 16.3 million in the first quarter of 2025.  (Q1 2024: EUR 17.7 million). Gas transit to other EU countries and Ukraine increased by 88% year-on-year to 5.66 TWh, compared with 3.01 TWh in the same period last year.

Vilnius, May 8 (ELTA) – Border guards from Kabeliai frontier station caught 18 irregular migrants that had tunnelled from Belarus to Varėna district, southern Lithuania, and returned them to Belarus.

The incident happened on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, 6 May.

Officers monitoring surveillance systems noticed that numerous migrants emerged from a tunnel on the Lithuanian side of the border. The tunnel had been dug under the border fence covered with razor wires, which Lithuania had installed to safeguard itself against illegal migration from Belarus.

Border guards the closest to the site responded to the border violation, including officers with dogs.

They caught 18 migrants that had exited the tunnel and fled to a forest.

All of them were young men. All but one claimed to be from Afghanistan. Only three of them had Afghan passports, whereas the rest were undocumented.

One of the migrants claimed to be from Sri Lanka but did not have identification documents.

As always, the state of migrants was assessed individually. It was determined that they were not in any danger. Having examined all the circumstances, it was decided not to allow the migrants to enter Lithuania and to return them to Belarus.

Moreover, in the border area close to the location where the migrants were detected, officers stopped an Audi A6 with Lithuanian number plates.

The driver of the vehicle was a 41-year-old man, a citizen of Ukraine. The passenger was a 33-year-old woman, a citizen of Ukraine.

Initial information suggests that the Ukrainian citizens who are residing in Lithuania lawfully arrived to pick up 7 of the migrants. The Ukrainians were detained.

A pre-trial investigation was opened into the smuggling of people through the state border. The crime is punishable by a fine or the maximum imprisonment sentence of up to 8 years.

This is the second case in 2026 that migrants tried to tunnel from Belarus to Lithuania. Previously, a tunnel was found in Vilnius district on 6 April.

According to the VSAT, the tunnels are dug with the knowledge of Belarusian officers.

The agency stated that most recently irregular migrants attempting to enter Lithuania from Belarus are typically men aged 20 to 40, who are physically fit and often brazen, and seek to avoid contact with officers.

So far this year, by 8 May, border guards stopped 731 migrants from accessing Lithuania from Belarus, whereas 146 migrants were stopped at the Polish border and as many as 2,475 were stopped in Latvia.

Vilnius, May 8 (ELTA) – Vilnius will host the Michelin Guide awards ceremony, “Exclusive Celebration: Welcoming the Third Selection” on 5 June, during which the third selection of Lithuanian restaurants will be presented and the latest ratings announced, the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation said in a statement.

“Lithuanian gastronomy is currently experiencing one of its most significant periods of growth – it is becoming an increasingly important part of the country’s tourism and international image. The growing attention from international critics shows that Lithuania is increasingly seen as an attractive gastronomic destination. Ratings such as the ‘Michelin’ guide not only raise the country’s profile but also contribute to the growth of tourism,” says Minister of Economy and Innovation Edvinas Grikšas. 

The intrigue of the third Michelin selection

The second edition of the Michelin Guide in Lithuania, published last year, demonstrated the consistent growth of the country’s gastronomy scene. Four restaurants retained their single stars – “Demo”, “Džiaugsmas”, “Pas mus”, and “Nineteen18” – while a total of 37 restaurants were included in the Michelin Guide’s list of recommended places.

This year’s selection promises even more excitement. On June 5, it will become clear whether the restaurants have managed to retain their stars, and whether new ratings will appear on Lithuania’s gastronomic map, potentially further strengthening the country’s position on the international stage. The entire restaurant community is eagerly awaiting these results.

Andrius Kubilius, the chef at “Deep Roots” and former head of the restaurant “Nineteen18” – which was awarded a Michelin star for several years in a row – says that the arrival of this guide in Lithuania is important not only for already established restaurants but also for a new generation of chefs.

“For young chefs, the arrival of Michelin stars in Lithuania sends a very clear message: their hard work, long hours, and attention to even the smallest detail are meaningful and can be recognized at the highest global level without having to leave Lithuania. This undoubtedly lends the profession immense prestige. Working in the kitchen is no longer just a trade or a service-oriented job – it is a career that demands a high level of professionalism, creativity, and discipline, with a clear and very tangible peak,” says Kubilius.

Lithuanian cuisine – in the international spotlight

Recent years have shown that Lithuanian gastronomy is rapidly strengthening its position in the international market. The country has been recognized by “Falstaff,” one of Europe’s most influential gastronomy guides; a Lithuanian team participated for the first time in the prestigious “Bocuse d’Or” culinary competition; and the “Baltic Gastro Summit” held in Vilnius brought together regional professionals for discussions on the future of the sector.

According to Kubilius, the attention given by the Michelin Guide highlights not only the achievements of individual restaurants but also the broader maturity of Lithuanian gastronomy.

“Lithuanian gastronomy has already moved beyond the stage where we blindly copied Western European classics or Scandinavian trends simply to cater to international tastes. Today, we can offer the Michelin Guide our authenticity – forest bounty, fermentation traditions, a multicultural heritage, and local products presented through the lens of modern techniques. We no longer break the rules just for the sake of rebellion – we simply have enough self-confidence to show who we truly are,” says Kubilius.

According to him, the arrival of the Michelin Guide has served as a kind of confirmation that Lithuania’s gastronomic ecosystem has come of age. This maturity is driven not only by the talent of the chefs, but also by the entire supporting chain – farmers, suppliers, the growing curiosity of diners, and ever-higher expectations for quality. As a result, Lithuania is increasingly seen not just as an interesting regional discovery – it is becoming an independent gastronomic destination that travelers can visit for the restaurant culture itself.

“The international attention on Lithuanian gastronomy is increasingly reflected in the market itself – restaurants are more boldly defining their direction, seeking their own unique style, and creating exceptional experiences. The Michelin Guide is becoming one of the most important benchmarks of quality in this process – it not only helps assess the level of restaurants but also strengthens confidence in Lithuania as a gastronomic destination,” says Olga Gončarova, director of the public institution Lithuania Travel.

The latest Michelin Guide ratings will be announced at the “Exclusive Celebration: Welcoming the Third Selection” ceremony, which will take place on June 5 in Vilnius at the LTG “Saulė” hall.

Vilnius, May 8 (ELTA) – ELTA Brief provides a concise overview of the key events of Friday, 8 May, in Lithuania and around the world.

On Friday, prosecutors said they had opened an investigation into statements by Nemunas Dawn leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis over suspected incitement to hatred. In an interview with ELTA, Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said possible coalition changes were not the most pressing issue in politics at present. In a sitting of a parliamentary committee, Environment Minister Kastytis Žuromskas addressed questions raised this week by communications specialist Karolis Žukauskas over alleged non-transparent activities at his ministry.

LITHUANIAN POLITICAL NEWS

The Prosecutor General’s Office has opened a pre-trial investigation into incitement of hatred by MP Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the Nemunas Dawn party. The investigation was launched following complaints of MEP Dainius Žalimas and another applicant over MP Žemaitaitis’ recent posts on the social platform Facebook. MEP Žalimas noted that MP Žemaitaitis shared an image of a protester holding a banner, which the MP altered using AI, and then publicly humiliated the woman. According to the MEP, he made vulgar sexual comments, incited bullying and actively engaged in bullying himself thus further escalating the situation.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said the composition of the ruling majority was not the key issue in politics, with the Social Democrats set to decide within a month on possible coalition changes. In comments to ELTA, she said security was the top priority given the geopolitical situation. The prime minister added that the coalition could change only if cooperation with partners made it difficult to secure decisions needed for Lithuania.

The Judicial Council on Friday advised the president to submit the candidacy of former Constitutional Court president Gintaras Goda to parliament for appointment to the Supreme Court of Lithuania. Fourteen council members backed the proposal at an extraordinary meeting. Under Lithuanian law, a former Constitutional Court judge may be appointed to the Supreme Court without a selection procedure or examination. Goda, whose term as Constitutional Court president ended in March, previously served at the Supreme Court from 2005 to 2017.

The Judicial Council also advised the president to submit to parliament the candidacy of Lithuanian Court of Appeal judge Nerijus Meilutis for a second term as the court’s chairman. If approved by lawmakers, Meilutis will continue leading the Court of Appeal after his current term expires in June. He has served as chairman since June 2021. Court staff backed his reappointment, saying he should continue to head the institution. The 51-year-old Meilutis was the sole candidate for the post. Before joining the Court of Appeal, he worked as a judge in Kaunas and Kaišiadorys, and earlier in his career served as an officer with the Special Investigation Service (STT).

The Vilnius Regional Court, hearing the DHL incendiary parcel case, on Friday questioned the first of five defendants, 63-year-old Ukrainian citizen Vasily Kovacs. Kovacs is being held in custody along with two other defendants, all of whom were escorted to court by officers of the Public Security Service. Kovacs remained handcuffed throughout the hearing. His lawyer, Oksana Leontjeva, said Kovacs had been living in Latvia but agreed to surrender under a European arrest warrant issued at Lithuania’s request. She told ELTA that her client maintained his innocence. Kovacs and his nephew, Vadim Borsuk, are both standing trial in the case. Kovacs told the court he had transported the parcel to a specified address in Vilnius but had not been paid for doing so.

The Lithuanian National Olympic Committee (LTOK) has launched an investigation into possible financial irregularities at the Lithuanian Skating Federation. The probe centres on Olympic Solidarity scholarships allocated to specific athletes to prepare for the Olympic Games. LTOK said a complaint and other information suggested the funds may not have been used for their intended purpose.

LITHUANIAN BUSINESS NEWS

Environment Minister Kastytis Žuromskas, delegated to the role by Nemunas Dawn, on Friday denied allegations that he had bought a house in a development linked to party deputy leader Robert Puchovič at below-market price and that he was indebted to him. He told an extraordinary meeting of the parliamentary environment committee that he purchased the property under market conditions with bank financing before entering politics and was still paying off the loan. Lawmakers had summoned him to respond to questions raised by communications specialist Karolis Žukauskas over alleged lack of transparency involving the ministry, its agencies and the minister himself.

FOREIGN NEWS

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington expected a response from Tehran later on Friday to a 14-point memorandum proposed by the United States. The proposal aims, among other things, to lay the groundwork for an initial 30-day negotiation period to end the war. It also includes possible US sanctions relief and agreements on the future of the Strait of Hormuz, while seeking to establish a framework for talks on Iran’s disputed nuclear programme. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday gave Iran 48 hours to respond, warning that if no agreement was reached, bombing would resume “sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”

Poland has signed an agreement for EUR 43.7 billion in low-interest European Union defence loans under the SAFE programme. Warsaw plans to use the funds for its key defence priorities, including the East Shield border fortification programme, anti-drone systems, air defence, artillery, armoured vehicles and ammunition production. Poland was the first of the 19 participating countries to sign its agreement. Lithuania is expected to follow soon.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he accepted responsibility after Labour’s poor performance in local elections but had no intention of stepping down. Although final results were still pending, grim forecasts for Labour appeared to be borne out. By midday, the anti-immigrant Reform UK party of Nigel Farage had won 478 seats in 57 of the 136 English councils to declare results, while Labour had lost 322 seats. Labour was also bracing for poor results in voting for the devolved parliaments of Scotland and Wales, due to be announced later. Starmer said he intended to remain party leader and continue as prime minister to avoid “plunging the country into chaos.”

Vilnius, May 8 (ELTA) – The Ministry of National Defence and the Department of Mobilisation and Civil Resistance are, for the third time, inviting all citizens to test their knowledge in a traditional citizenship exam on Civil Resistance Day, marked on 14 May, according to a statement from the State Data Agency.

Registration is open on the website pilietiskumoegzaminas.lt (citizenshipexam.lt), and participants will be able to test their knowledge on 14 May from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The planned duration of the exam is 40 minutes, and participants will be able to choose a time that is most convenient for them to complete the tasks.

Prizes await the top performers: winners of the first place will receive smartwatches, second place winners will receive e‑readers, and third place winners will receive backpacks with a basic survival kit.

Participants are invited to register for the Citizenship Exam already now at pilietiskumoegzaminas.lt.

Partners of the Citizenship Exam include the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Youth Council (LiJOT), the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, Vilnius University, and the Lithuanian Non‑Formal Education Agency (LINEŠA). Information partner – the Lithuanian National Radio and Television.

Vilnius, May 8 (ELTA) – At the invitation of President Gitanas Nausėda, the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and his spouse, Suzanne Innes-Stubb, will pay a state visit to Lithuania next week, the presidency said in a statement.

During the visit, the presidents of Lithuania and Finland will discuss bilateral relations, regional security and defence issues, support for Ukraine, as well as economic and technological cooperation.

The First Ladies of Lithuania and Finland will have a separate program during the visit.

The programme of the visit is as follows:

Thursday, 14 May

10:00 Official welcoming ceremony for the President of the Republic of Finland and the First Lady. Photo and video opportunity.

10:20 Meeting between the Presidents of Lithuania and Finland (tête-à-tête). Protocol photo and video opportunity.

10:45 Meeting of the delegations. Protocol photo and video opportunity.

11:30 Press conference by the Presidents of Lithuania and Finland. Photo and video opportunity, questions and answers.

19:30 State dinner hosted by the President of Lithuania and the First Lady in honour of the President of Finland and the First Lady at the Presidential Palace. The event is closed to the media.

Friday, 15 May

10:00 Lithuania–Finland Business Forum (AC Hotel, Vilnius). Photo and video opportunity.

11:30 Visit by the Presidents of Lithuania and Finland to the Padvarionys Border Guard Station of the Vilnius Border Guard Unit. Photo and video opportunity.

13:30 Visit by the Presidents and First Ladies to a training session of football club “Ataka” at the Mykolas Biržiška sports ground (Taikos 81, Vilnius). Photo and video opportunity.

Luxembourg, May 8 (ELTA) – In February 2026, compared with January 2026, seasonally adjusted services production decreased by 0.3% in both the euro area and the European Union (EU), according to first estimates from Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office. In January 2026, services production grew by 1.0% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU.

In February 2026, compared with February 2025, services production increased by 1.4% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU.

In Lithuania, services production grew by 0.2% in February 2026, compared with January 2026 (a 4.5% fall). Over the year, services production dropped by 2.1% in the country.

In the euro area in February 2026, compared with January 2026, services production increased for transportation and storage by 0.2%, decreased for accommodation and food services by 0.6%, for information and communication by 2.0%, for real estate activities by 0.4%, increased for professional, scientific and technical activities by 0.5%, remained stable for administrative and support services.

In the EU, services production decreased for transportation and storage by 0.3%, for accommodation and food services by 0.6%, for information and communication by 2.0%, for real estate activities by 0.3%, increased for professional, scientific and technical activities by 1.0% and for administrative and support services by 0.1%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the largest monthly decreases were recorded in Estonia (-16.3%), Luxembourg (-9.5%) and Denmark (-3.0%). The highest increases were observed in Bulgaria (+4.6%), Hungary (+3.7%) and Poland (+1.4%).

In the euro area in February 2026, compared with February 2025, services production increased for transportation and storage by 0.5%, decreased for accommodation and food services by 0.8%, increased for information and communication by 4.0%, for real estate activities by 0.5%, for professional, scientific and technical activities by 2.3%, and for administrative and support services by 0.3%.

In the EU, services production increased for transportation and storage by 0.5%, decreased for accommodation and food services by 0.7%, increased for information and communication by 3.2%, for real estate activities by 0.8%,

for professional, scientific and technical activities by 3.0%, and for administrative and support services by 0.5%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest annual increases were recorded in Hungary (+7.6%), Bulgaria and Slovenia (both +6.3%) and Poland (5.8%). The largest decreases were observed in Romania (-5.3%), Denmark (-2.8%) and Lithuania (-2.1%).

Vilnius, May 8 (ELTA) – President Gitanas Nausėda on Friday extended congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on the first anniversary of his election as head of the Catholic Church, his office said in a statement.

The Lithuanian leader expressed his sincere respect and gratitude to the pontiff for his tireless efforts to promote unity in the world and to pursue just and sustainable peace, while encouraging world leaders to seek solutions to problems.

“No less respect is due to your consistent emphasis on the inherent dignity of the human person, freedom of faith and conscience, care for the weak and the disadvantaged, and the elevation of the human being and critical thinking above modern technologies,” the president’s message of congratulations reads.

The Lithuanian president assured Pope Leo XIV that Lithuania’s deep historical ties with the Holy See remain alive and meaningful. According to President Nausėda, the Lithuanian people with great gratitude remember and cherish the significant contribution of the Catholic Church to Lithuanian statehood and its support in the pursuit of independence.

President Nausėda reiterated an invitation for the Pope to visit Lithuania and wished him every success in his continued pastoral mission for the good of the Catholic Church, the faithful, Lithuania, and people all over the world.

Vilnius, May 8 (ELTA) – A Lithuanian court has found six residents of Vilnius, Trakai, Visaginas and Rokiškis guilty of smuggling Belarusian cigarettes and illegally distributing them as part of an organised group, prosecutors said Friday.

The Panevėžys Regional Court fined the group nearly EUR 100,000 in total, including EUR 25,000 for the alleged organiser and EUR 14,700 for a former border guard dismissed from service over the crimes.

The court order took effect on 7 May after all six defendants admitted guilt.

Authorities also confiscated wetsuits, telephones and a boat engine, while more than EUR 5,000 corresponding to the value of a minibus used in the operation will be recovered.

According to investigators, border guards detained four men aged between 27 and 42 near Lake Prūtas on the Belarus border in May last year while they were unloading smuggled cigarettes from a boat into a minibus. Later that night, law enforcement officers detained a State Border Guard Service (VSAT) officer and a Vilnius resident suspected of organising the smuggling operation.

Officers seized 90,000 packs of Belarusian cigarettes worth nearly EUR 384,000.

Prosecutors said the group had prepared for the operation in advance by renting a lakeside property and purchasing equipment, while the border guard provided information on patrol movements and other law enforcement activity.