Lietuva in brief - 2005-04-27

  • 2005-04-27
The government is holding a new round of talks in Amsterdam with Yukos over the acquisition of a nearly 10 percent stake in Mazeikiu Nafta. Nerijus Eidukevicius, deputy minister of economy and head of the governmental task group for negotiations, said that some progress had already been achieved. The government is negotiating a deal that would allow it to take over Yukos' option to buy a 9.72 percent stake in Mazeikiu Nafta for $75 million. Moreover, authorities are pushing to terminate the company's management agreement, as well as the appointment of two additional state representatives to Mazeikiu Nafta's board.

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has stated his support for Lithuania's proposal to mention the situation in Belarus during a Kishinyov declaration. "Lithuania has always been a democratic process leader in the region," the Georgian leader said during a speech before heads of the so-called GUAM group 's Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova 's in the Moldovan capital on April 22. Saakashvili said he supported President Valdas Adamkus' proposal since "the country's people have a right to freely express their will as well." Adamkus was also present at the meeting.

During the one-year celebration of EU membership, the Vilnius Cathedral Square will be covered with a record-sized map of Europe from May 6-7, and Gediminas Avenue will host a fair. The color map will include great detail, showing cities, rivers and lakes and will be coated for protection from the sun, rain and physical abrasions. The 25-meter-long and 20-meter-wide map is to be registered as a world record.

A Vilnius woman gave birth to her 15th child on April 25. The city municipality has reported that the family already has 13 boys and one girl. The newborn is a boy. The city will grant 5,000 litas (1,450 euros) to the family and a pharmaceutical company will present them with a voucher worth a year of free baby care products. The father works as a mechanic, while the mother takes care of their 15 children.