Vilnius, March 12 (ELTA) – Irregular migrants did not attempt to cross from Belarus to Lithuania on Tuesday and Wednesday, 10–11 March, reports the State Border Guard Service (VSAT).

Migrants have not been detected at Lithuania’s border with Belarus for 13 consecutive days.

Migrants did not attempt to cross from Belarus to Latvia on Tuesday, but Latvian border guards stopped 7 of them on Wednesday.

Polish border officers stopped 13 foreigners trying to enter the country illegally from Belarus on Monday, but did not encounter any migrants on Tuesday.

So far this year, the VSAT has prevented 37 irregular migrants from entering Lithuania from Belarus. The figure stood at 1,652 at the end of 2025.

Since the start of the migrant crisis orchestrated by Belarus in 2021, Lithuania has thwarted a total of 24,651 illegal border crossing attempts.

Vilnius, March 11 (ELTA) – On Wednesday, 11 March, President Gitanas Nausėda delivered an address at the Flag Raising Ceremony of the three Baltic States in Vilnius on the occasion of the Day of the Restoration of Lithuania’s Independence, reports the Office of the President.

“Today we celebrate a historic choice. We commemorate the day when people gathered in this square with the Vytis and national tricolour flags, waiting for one single message – the message of freedom and independence. After long decades of oppression, they would have accepted no other. […] Thirty-six years ago we stood up. We took a deep breath. And we set out on our own path,” said Nausėda.

“Our choice set the course for the future. For many years we have been strengthening the independent State of Lithuania. We became members of the European Union and NATO. To this day we continue to diligently build the well-being of ourselves, our loved ones, and society as a whole,” the president continued.

Nausėda said it was symbolic that on Independence Day Lithuanians were joined by President of Moldova Maya Sandu. He said Lithuania would never forget the decision of the Parliament of Moldova in May 1990 to recognise Lithuania’s reestablished independence.

“Today Lithuania firmly supports Moldova’s efforts to become a member of the European Union. Today we wish the people of Moldova every success on their long road to peace, security, and lasting prosperity,” stated the president.

The head of state said that the countries are bound by a common threat in the world and feel the consequences of global events. Therefore, the ability of Moldova, Ukraine, and other countries of the region to resist Russian aggression is also Lithuania’s goal and most earnest aspiration.

“So today I ask you to convey to the people of Moldova an age-old wish that we reserve only for our closest friends: For our freedom and yours! Happy Day of the Re-establishment of Lithuania’s Independence to everyone,” Nausėda said concluding his speech.

As reported, President of Moldova Maia Sandu paid an official visit to Lithuania on Tuesday and Wednesday. She net with President Nausėda, Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas and Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė.

On 11 March, the Moldovan leader took part in events marking the Day of the Restoration of Lithuania’s Independence.

Vilnius, March 10 (ELTA) – The European Parliament has named former Lithuanian president Valdas Adamkus a laureate of the European Order of Merit to for his significant contribution to European integration.

“Europe has always been built by people. Bridging divides, breaking barriers, overthrowing dictatorships and overcoming crises for a better future for our continent. This European commitment deserves to be celebrated. With the European Order of Merit, we honour those who did not simply believe in Europe, but who helped build it,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said when announcing the first recipients of the European Order of Merit in plenary in Strasbourg on Tuesday.

In addition to Adamkus, nine other persons were appointed honourable members of the European Order of Merit. Among them are Jerzy Buzek, former prime minister of Poland and former [resident of the European Parliament, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, former president and prime minister of Portugal, Sauli Niinistö, former president of Finland and former speaker of the Parliament of Finland, Maia Sandu, president of Moldova.

Other seven persons were named members of the European Order of Merit. Among them are José Andrés, chef and founder of the NGO “World Central Kitchen”, Giannis Antetokounmpo, basketball player, Oleksandra Matviichuk, human rights lawyer, and others.

Following Tuesday’s announcement, the laureates will be invited to an official conferral ceremony to take place during the 18-21 May plenary session in Strasbourg, the European Parliament’s press service said.

Last year, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the European Parliament’s Bureau decided to establish the first European distinction of its kind granted by an EU institution; a civilian distinction to honour the achievements of individuals who have made a significant contribution to European integration or to the promotion and defence of European values. Up to 20 laureates may be appointed to the Order each year.

Vilnius, March 10 (ELTA) – The economic resilience of the Baltic countries including Lithuania against global shocks is not based solely on political decisions but also on the ability to respond quickly to risks, according to Lietuvos bankas (The Bank of Lithuania). 

Investor confidence in the region is determined by regulatory stability, the speed of decision-making and being part of the European Economic and Monetary Union, which reduces uncertainty and boosts the credibility of institutions, the central bank said in a statement.

This is being discussed today at a round table discussion organised by Lietuvos bankas on the economic resilience of the Baltic region and the decisions that determine it.

“In the Baltic States, decisions on security, energy and economic resilience are made under genuinely tense conditions, without the luxury of long deliberations and with a clear sense of responsibility for the outcome of these decisions. They are immediately tested in practice, so this is what specifically reveals the ability of the state and society to withstand pressure, ensure financial stability and maintain confidence even in the face of constant security challenges,” says Gediminas Šimkus, board chairman at Lietuvos bankas.

According to him, living with geopolitical tensions is both a challenge and an experience that teaches vigilance and the ability to anticipate shocks and react decisively to them.

“Private capital inevitably faces risks in every project. The risk does not scare investors but they do avoid uncertainty and ambiguity. The role of the state, strategic consistency and predictability therefore remain key factors of trust,” Šimkus underlines.

Despite recent talks of investment drain, investors are not withdrawing from Lithuania. Quite the contrary, they are expanding, which confirms that Lithuania has chosen the right path.

Since 2019, investments in Lithuania have increased by 40% – this is one of the best performance indicators in the European Union.

Since 2022, the ratio of investment to gross domestic product (GDP) has been around 23% and is close to its historical highs.

Between 2022 and 2025, foreign direct investment averaged at around 4% of GDP – almost twice as much as before the pandemic.

A lot of investment goes to companies already active and scaling up in Lithuania, which is a sign of long-term trust.

Since 2022, Lithuania has attracted over 190 new investors. Although the pace of new projects is slowing due to the geopolitical landscape, the economy is transforming towards a higher value-added model, which implies bigger, longer-maturing but more sustainable projects that generate higher long-term returns.

“The main question today is not whether investors are staying but rather why they are staying and on what they are basing their decisions. As one of the most influential economists of the 20th century, John Maynard Keynes, has observed, investing is an act of faith in the future. This however is no blind faith – it is a rational decision based on data, experience and institutional quality,” says Šimkus.

Vilnius, March 12 (ELTA) – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania welcome the decision by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and its member countries to initiate a voluntary collective action regarding the release of emergency oil stocks, as announced on 11 March 2026. The IEA Member countries will take coordinated action to make available to the market the equivalent of 400 million barrels of oil (approximately 54 million tones). It is considered that the collective action will send a unified and strong message to stabilise the global oil market, reports the Ministry of Energy.

As members of the IEA and responsible participants in the global energy system, the Baltic States aim, through the coordinated release of emergency oil stocks to the market and active measures at all levels – the IEA, the European Union, and the regional level – to stabilise global oil markets during a period of uncertainty and to reduce supply security risks in countries most affected by disruptions to international trade routes, with the impact felt particularly in the East Asian region. 

While the Baltic region’s oil supply security has not been directly affected to date, we are clearly observing the broader economic impact, as global energy markets remain highly interconnected and price signals transmit instantly across regions. Persistently high oil prices continue to be a concern for households, businesses and economies across Europe, including in the Baltic States. Given the high level of interdependence among the Baltic States with regard to oil prices, it is important that any market intervention is well coordinated. 

Ministers Kaspars Melnis, Andres Sutt, Žygimantas Vaičiūnas and Viktors Valainis have discussed the IEA collective action over the past days and supports the Baltic States participation in the collective action releasing emergency oil stocks, following national procedures and coordinating closely to ensure the most effective outcome for the market. 

“Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia will, in the next stage, make national decisions regarding the release of emergency oil stocks to the market (determining volumes, timing, and other necessary parameters) to maximise the positive impact on both the market and consumers, and to effectively manage the current rise in oil prices. It is expected that a coordinated release of emergency oil stocks will help curb oil price increases, which is the primary short-term objective, requiring the urgent use of all appropriate measures,” the energy ministers of the Baltic States emphasise the importance of both already adopted international decisions and forthcoming national measures in this context. 

The energy ministers of the Baltic States, highlighting the importance of timely international decisions, also express solidarity with regions affected by global oil prices, in order to stabilise oil costs and respond effectively to any challenges. 

“At the same time, we express our solidarity with regions where energy security is directly affected and where urgent measures are needed to ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply. Coordinated international actions, such as the IEA collective action, demonstrate the importance of cooperation and shared responsibility in addressing disruptions to global energy markets and mitigating oil price increases at both regional and national levels,” noted the energy ministers of the Baltic States. 

The Baltic States also support IEA Governing board recommendations to coordinate the reserve release with measures necessary to resume transit through the Strait of Hormuz (including US-established measures regarding insurance and military convoys). 

The Baltic States remain committed to working together with international partners to strengthen energy security, enhance market stability and ensure a reliable energy supply and the most competitive prices possible for consumers.

Vilnius, March 10 (ELTA) – Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who is visiting Lithuania, presented President Gitanas Nausėda with her country’s highest state decoration, the Order of the Republic.

Nausėda’s personal commitment to bilateral ties and Lithuania’s support for Moldova under his leadership were highly valued, Sandu told a press conference at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday.

According to the president’s communications office, the Order of the Republic was awarded to Nausėda by a decree of the Moldovan president for his exceptional contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between Moldova and Lithuania, as well as for his broad support for Moldova’s accession to the European Union.

In 2022, Nausėda awarded Sandu Lithuania’s highest state decoration, the Order of Vytautas the Great with the golden collar.

Sandu, who arrived in Lithuania on a visit on Tuesday, also met Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė.

On Wednesday, the Moldovan leader is due to take part in events marking the Day of the Restoration of Lithuania’s Independence. 

President Sandu will attend the commemorative ceremony in the March 11 Hall of the Seimas and participate in the ceremony awarding the State Independence Scholarship, where she is scheduled to deliver a congratulatory speech.

Riga, March 10 (LETA-ELTA) – Latvia and Lithuania will continue to cooperate more closely on border security, civil protection and cross-border transport development, according to a report prepared by the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, which was examined by the government on Tuesday.

The report outlines a meeting of the Latvia-Lithuania Intergovernmental Commission for Cross-border Cooperation, which took place in Panevėžys last November. Representatives of ministries, regions and municipalities from both countries attended the meeting, which discussed topical issues on security, transport and cross-border cooperation.

In the area of migration and border security, the countries discussed the situation on the border with Belarus, stressing that the Belarusian regime continues to use migration as an instrument of hybrid attack. They agreed to step up information exchange and coordinate joint patrols to respond more effectively to irregular migration flows and other security threats.

Latvia and Lithuania also recognised the need to develop cooperation in the field of civil protection, including joint planning and exercises on mass evacuation scenarios. To this end, joint projects and exercises are planned to strengthen both countries’ emergency preparedness. One such project is the joint Latvian-Lithuanian Interreg project MassMovement, with a budget of over EUR 2 million.

Cross-border transport development was also discussed. Lithuania informed that the Vilnius-Riga train service has become popular and both countries support the continuation and extension of this connection. At the same time, work is planned to restore regular passenger train services on the Vilnius-Daugavpils route, which is expected to be introduced during the 2026-2027 timetable period.

The Commission also discussed road infrastructure development, including the implementation of the Via Baltica project and preparations for the construction of the Bauska bypass. Latvia and Lithuania also agreed to continue work on harmonising bus timetables to improve the mobility of people in border regions.

In the field of culture, the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in the protection of cultural heritage in crisis situations by organising joint training and exchanging experience.

The Commission also agreed to cooperate in the European Union (EU) multiannual budget negotiations to provide more funding for security, infrastructure and economic development projects on the EU’s eastern border with Russia and Belarus.

The Latvian-Lithuanian Intergovernmental Commission for Cross-border Cooperation has been operating since 1999 and aims to promote the development of the border regions of the two countries and to coordinate cooperation in various sectors.

Vilnius, March 10 (ELTA) – Lithuania’s oil production totalled 26,570 cubic metres last year, down 5% from 2024, the Lithuanian Geological Survey said on Tuesday.

The agency said the country’s oil resources remain significant despite the decline in production.

“At the end of 2025, the balance of extracted oil resources stood at 2,109.950 cubic metres,” it said in a statement.

Oil was produced at 11 fields last year: Girkaliai, Kretinga, Nausodis, Vėžaičiai, Vilkyčiai, Pociai, Diegliai, Sakučiai, Šiūpariai, Agluonėnai and Genčai.

Four companies carried out oil production in 2025.

Vilnius, March 10 (ELTA) – President Gitanas Nausėda on Tuesday participated remotely in the Friends of Competitiveness Group meeting, held in preparation for the European Council meeting on 19–20 March in Brussels. 

The participants discussed energy prices, the deepening of the European Union’s single market, and the reduction of bureaucracy, according to a statement from the president’s office.

The meeting was organised by Germany, Italy, and Belgium and was also attended by the leaders of Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, and Slovenia.

Speaking about energy prices, President Nausėda emphasised that the unstable situation in the Middle East is affecting global energy markets and increasing price volatility, therefore, urgent action is necessary to protect the European economy and industrial competitiveness.

“In the short term, we should not rule out the possibility of drawing on strategic oil reserves and applying other short-term measures. In the longer term, we must accelerate Europe’s energy transition—ending our dependence on Russian energy resources, expanding renewable energy production, and investing in Europe’s energy network, energy storage, and system flexibility. This is a prerequisite for a secure and competitive European economy,” the head of state said.

President Nausėda also drew attention to the need to consider short-term measures to mitigate the energy price shock for industry, including targeted support for strategically important sectors and a possible European-level financial instrument to help energy-intensive companies during the transition period.

The meeting also focused on strengthening the European Union’s single market. President Nausėda stressed the need to remove the main barriers to the free movement of goods, services, and capital and to ensure the ambitious strengthening of the single market.

The Lithuanian leader also highlighted the importance of promoting investment and creating conditions for the savings of European citizens to be channeled more actively into the economy.

“While strengthening the European Union’s single market, we must also think about its expansion—it has to be open to Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkan countries,” the Lithuanian president stressed.

The meeting also discussed the European Union’s legislative simplification agenda. The president expressed support for the European Commission’s efforts to reduce the administrative burden, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, the public sector, and consumers.

Speaking about the European Union’s next multiannual financial framework, President Nausėda underlined the importance of reaching a timely agreement on the new EU budget and aiming to conclude negotiations by the end of 2026.

Vilnius, March 10 (ELTA) – Gambling companies generated EUR 274.1 million in gross revenue last year, up 13% year-on-year, the Gaming Control Authority (LPT) said on Tuesday.

The lottery market expanded at a similar pace in 2025. According to LPT data, a total of 167.2 million tickets were sold last year and EUR 91.9 million was paid out in winnings.

Gross revenue from remote gambling rose 19% to EUR 202.4 million. Revenue from land-based gambling was largely unchanged, totalling EUR 71.7 million.

According to LPT data, EUR 86.9 million in lottery and gambling taxes was paid into the Lithuanian budget last year. Of this amount, EUR 29.3 million came from organisers of major lotteries, while gambling operators contributed EUR 57.6 million.

Vilnius, March 10 (ELTA) – ELTA Brief provides a concise overview of the key events of Tuesday, 10 March, in Lithuania and around the world.

On Tuesday, the Seimas officially opened its spring session, with a work programme that includes 505 draft laws. Another highlight of the day was discussions among politicians on rising fuel prices and the possible introduction of a price cap. Interim Social Democratic Party (LSDP) leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius said around 15 party branches had already announced their nominations for party chairman.

LITHUANIAN POLITICAL NEWS

The Seimas on Tuesday opened its spring session. Its agenda includes 505 draft laws submitted by President Gitanas Nausėda, the Government, parliamentary committees and groups. The Government proposed the largest share – 117 bills. Lawmakers say the main priorities for the session are national security, economic growth, social wellbeing and stronger public finances. Amid a shifting geopolitical and security environment, MPs plan to update the National Security Strategy. They will also deliberate plans for the Kapčiamiestis and Tauragė military areas as well as measures linked to the deployment of a German brigade in Lithuania. Addressing lawmakers, Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas called for unity, dialogue and mutual respect. President Gitanas Nausėda urged MPs to put the public interest first and to seek consensus even on the most complex issues. Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė thanked lawmakers for what she called constructive work during the autumn session, adding that strengthening national defence remains one of the Government’s key priorities.

Over a dozen branches of the Social Democratic Party (LSDP) have nominated candidates for party chair, including acting leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius, Robert Duchnevič, Vytautas Grubliauskas and Vitalijus Mitrofanovas. Sinkevičius has not revealed whether he will run in the leadership election. He said the LSDP branch in Jonava will meet next week to discuss its nomination for party leader. Debate is also continuing within the party over the ruling coalition with Remigijus Žemaitaitis’s Nemunas Dawn party. More than half of members of the LSDP’s Alytus branch said at a meeting last Friday that the Social Democrats should not continue governing with Nemunas Dawn. Sinkevičius said the party has not yet decided whether to conduct a formal survey of members on the coalition issue, adding that the matter will be discussed by the party’s board next week.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said a meeting with the US envoy to Belarus was being coordinated. Media reports say John Coale is expected to visit Lithuania next week. Ruginienė said the meeting is currently planned but there is no firm guarantee it will take place. Last December, Coale announced that the United States was lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash fertiliser exports. He also said discussions on sanctions would continue.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu said during a visit to Lithuania that it was realistic for her country to join the European Union by 2030. Sandu said Chisinau was making every effort to achieve the goal. President Gitanas Nausėda said Moldova’s and Ukraine’s accession to the EU was a strategic objective for Lithuania. Nausėda noted that Moldova’s possible membership by 2030 was based on realistic prospects.

The Belarusian information space last year sought to increase distrust of Lithuania and NATO, the military said. At a press conference, officials said such messaging sought to portray relations between Vilnius and Minsk as irrational, aggressive and harmful to Lithuania itself. Colonel Liutauras Bagočiūnas, strategic communications head at the Armed Forces, said propaganda outlets also exploited the rise in hybrid incidents recorded in Lithuania and elsewhere in Europe in 2025, including airspace violations and threats to critical infrastructure. Analyst Agnė Eidimtaitė said defence and security remained the main themes in hostile messaging last year, with Russian and Belarusian propaganda focusing in particular on the Baltic Sentry mission and alleged plans to blockade the Kaliningrad region. Reports on Lithuania’s efforts to strengthen its defence capabilities also drew significant attention, she said, adding that the messaging sought to portray these measures as a threat to countries hostile to Lithuania.

The Central Electoral Commission (VRK) on Tuesday revoked the parliamentary mandate of Kazys Starkevičius linked to a corruption case, and said Angelė Jakavonytė will take his seat in the Seimas. The decision, reached by consensus, can be appealed in court within one month of its publication in the Register of Legal Acts, under the procedure set out in the Law on Administrative Proceedings. Starkevičius announced his decision to resign on social media last Friday. In February, as the large-scale corruption investigation continued, the Special Investigation Service (STT) carried out searches at the homes of Starkevičius and Saulius Skvernelis, as well as their offices at the Seimas. Skvernelis was questioned as a special witness. Law enforcement also sought to question Starkevičius, but media reports said he allegedly refused to testify.

Sixty Lithuanian journalists from various media outlets and two journalist organisations on Tuesday appealed to members of the Seimas, the prime minister and the culture minister over proposed amendments to the law governing Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT). The letter urged politicians not to back changes that it said could threaten the independence of the public broadcaster. It said the amendments were harmful, could undermine editorial independence and risked paving the way for political interference in media content and editorial policies. The draft law is scheduled to be submitted for consideration on Thursday.

The Prosecutor’s Office and the Special Investigation Service (STT) said the Klaipėda District Court has approved the release of Vaidas Bendaravičius, mayor of Pagėgiai and former local councillor, from criminal liability under surety for abuse, misappropriation of property, document forgery and disposal. He retains his mayoral post. The STT said Bendaravičius has not been barred from public service, but must make a contribution to the Crime Victims Fund. Prosecutors and the court said he fully pleaded guilty in the councillor allowances case, expressed sincere regret and compensated the damage caused. Bendaravičius received a one-year bail term and must pay EUR 9,000 to the Crime Victims Fund. According to case documents, between 2019 and 2023 he falsified 22 reports on councillor allowances, inflating fuel costs for council activities and misappropriating municipal property, causing EUR 3,104 in damage to Pagėgiai municipality.

LITHUANIAN BUSINESS NEWS 

As prices of energy resources have soared due to the conflict in the Middle East, Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė says Lithuania may consider setting a price cap on fuel to ease the impact on fuel bills. However, as the politician emphasised, the state budget would first need to be assessed for feasibility. She also said that the Finance Ministry had been instructed to prepare several options to address rising fuel costs, but she declined to say whether short-term use of reserves might be among them. Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas told lrt.lt that Lithuania should not introduce a price cap, noting that fuel prices change rapidly and that sudden increases at petrol stations should be evaluated by the Competition Council. Hungary and Croatia have already introduced price caps on petrol and diesel in Europe.

MP Aidas Gedvilas of the ruling Nemunas Dawn party denied backing parliamentary proposals that would have benefited the Jozita service station chain, after media reports linked him to the company as the politician’s family business had previously sold two service stations to Jozita in a deal valued millions of euros. Party leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis described an investigation by the investigative journalism centre Siena as an attempt to attack his party, and said Gedvilas had properly declared all contacts to the Chief Official Ethics Commission (VTEK) in line with the law. Opposition Liberal MPs have asked the State Tax Inspectorate (VMI) and the Special Investigation Service (STT) to examine the publicly available information.

Lithuania and the European Commission will soon coordinate potential state aid measures to help businesses cope with the impact of the Middle East conflict, similar to support provided during the coronavirus pandemic. Minister of the Economy and Innovation Edvinas Grikšas said his ministry has already prepared a draft resolution and will seek Government approval to apply to the European Commission for the aid at the next Cabinet meeting. Grikšas said businesses face challenges from rising energy prices, including gas, oil and electricity, disruptions to international supply chains, and shortages of working capital. Data from the Lithuanian Energy Agency (LEA) show that over the past week, natural gas prices jumped nearly 36% and oil prices rose 17.4% due to developments in the Middle East.

FOREIGN NEWS

European Union (EU) chief Ursula von der Leyen, called the abandonment of nuclear energy a strategic mistake. Von der Leyen said the war in the Middle East, now in its second week, had exposed Europe’s “vulnerability” and dependence on fossil fuels, leaving the EU at a structural disadvantage. She said returning to a “reliable, affordable and low-emission” energy source such as nuclear power, alongside renewables, would help ensure energy independence, security of supply and competitiveness. The EU president announced that Brussels would allocate EUR 200 million to invest in “innovative nuclear technologies.”

US President Donald Trump said he may lift some oil sanctions to boost supplies and curb soaring prices amid the Middle East conflict that wreaked havoc in markets. Trump did not name specific countries and did not specify which sanctions could be waived. His remarks followed a conversation with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, one of the world’s largest oil producers. Oil prices, which had fluctuated throughout the day, fell sharply on Tuesday after Trump’s earlier remark that the US-Israeli conflict with Iran could end sooner than expected, while stock markets rebounded. Trump said Washington could lift sanctions on unnamed countries if the war ends.

Hungary has imposed a price cap on fuel products as oil prices skyrocketed amid the war in Iran. From Tuesday, the price for 95-octane petrol cannot exceed 595 forints (EUR 1.51) per litre, and diesel cannot cost more than 615 forints. The decree, signed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, was published in the official gazette on Monday evening. The maximum price will not apply to vehicles with foreign license plates. AFP reported that Croatia, South Korea and Thailand have also capped fuel prices.

A UN-mandated commission of inquiry has accused Moscow of committing crimes against humanity by deporting and forcibly transferring children from Ukraine to Russia. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine said Russia had relocated or deported thousands of children from occupied Ukrainian territories, and that 80% of those investigated had not returned. According to the commission, the involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin, “including through his direct authority over entities that have steered and executed this policy, has been visible from the outset.”

Vilnius, March 10 (ELTA) – Kärcher, a provider of cleaning equipment and solutions, will be located in Vilnius Business Park, which is managed by Darnu Group, a developer of retail and stock-office spaces in Vilnius. 

Under the signed agreement, the company will rent 1,341 sqm of premises on Sedulų Street in the western part of the capital, where it will establish a multifunctional centre comprising a shop, an office, and a warehouse. The opening is scheduled for the end of summer this year, Darnu Group said in a press release.

“It also clearly demonstrates the trust of a well-known international brand, showing that what we offer at Vilnius Business Park meets the highest standards of efficiency and quality. We focus on developing and providing comprehensive solutions for businesses that require customer service functions, office space, and logistics all in one place,” says Mykolas Čiplys, Head of Sales and Rental at Darnu Group.

The company’s choice of space format reflects prevailing market demand: tenants are looking to efficiently combine multiple functions in a single location while ensuring easy accessibility, adequate parking, and adaptable space for both retail and warehousing.

Kärcher plans to establish a centre in Vilnius Business Park, which will include the largest Kärcher store in the country, along with administrative and warehouse space and training facilities.

“For over a year, we have been actively searching for a new space that meets our current operational needs and supports our growth plans. It was important for us to create a comprehensive Kärcher centre – a place where sales, consulting, practical equipment testing, training, and administrative activities come together,” says Mindaugas Levickas, CEO of Kärcher Lithuania.

According to him, the choice was based on the convenient location, client and employee parking, the availability of commercial premises on the ground floor, and a modern building that meets energy efficiency and sustainability standards.

Work on designing and fitting out the premises is now in progress. The centre will open to the public at the end of summer, while the Kärcher team moves into the new premises.

Darnu Group, the leading company in the segment of stock-office premises in the capital, has developed almost 50,000 sqm of such premises to date. The company is the only one offering clients the option to buy or rent premises with a purchase option.