April 30, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

Today Lithuanian Government has decided to strengthen Lithuania’s participation in implementation of European Union Eastern Partnership program. The main focus would be directed for Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in order to help these countries fulfil Association Agreement and reforms related with liberalization of visa regime. Lithuanian Government decided to send experts to institutions of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova to help these Eastern Partnership countries to adapt EU directives to national law and share Lithuania’s experience of integrating into European Union. (Lithuanian Prime Minister Press Office, BNS, 15min.lt, unofficial translation)

On April 30 Artūras Paulauskas, head of Lithuanian Parliament National Security and Defense Committee, at Cybersecurity Conference said that ‘when situation in Ukraine is so tense and when the nature and means of military actions is changing so fast, the threats of cyber security need to be taken very seriously’. Also Artūras Paulauskas said that ‘we can see today, that not only military but also diplomatic, propaganda and cyber tools are used to destabilize selected targets, create chaos inside the countries, undermining effortless flow of information and financial exchange operations.’ (Lithuanian Parliament Press Office, BNS, alfa.lt, unofficial translation).

On April 30, Petras Vaitiekūnas, Lithuanian Ambassador to Ukraine, on ‘Actual hour’ radio programme said that ‘Russia continues creating panic and destruction in East Ukraine’. (News radio, 15min.lt)

On April 30 Arnoldas Pranckevičius, European Parliament President Adviser, on ‘Attention center’ the TV programme said this about Ukrainian conflict: ‘Today politics of EU goes in three directions: firstly – conflict de-escalation, secondly – Russia’s suppression and deterrence and third – support for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia’. Also he approved the preparation of using the next stage of economic sanctions if Russia doesn’t stop escalating the conflict. (Lithuanian National TV, delfi.lt, 15 min.lt)

Economist Nourieli Roubini in an interview for Bloomberg TV said that ‘there is the beginning of a new cold war between the West and Russia’ (15min.lt). You can watch this interview here: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/roubini-ukraine-could-tip-europe-back-to-recession-NjbbICk3T6K0fAQOSzbRCg.html.

On May 4th in Vilnius will stage a bicycle event called ‘VeloMaidan’ dedicated to support Ukrainian people in the fight with Russian aggression. More information about event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1430375097213037/.