Lietuva in brief 2010-08-12

Lithuania’s membership in the European Union is not topical for almost one fifth of the population, reports ELTA. Pre-retirement age people, representatives of ethnic minorities, workers and unemployed are among those having the most pessimistic attitude towards the participation of our country in this organization, the poll shows. The poll shows the majority of the population supports and is interested in the country’s membership in the EU and would like to receive more information on the issue via television, newspapers, radio and Internet. Over 71 percent support Lithuania’s membership in the EU. EU membership is mostly supported by young people up to 29 years (75.7 percent) and those 40-49 years of age (73.2 percent), also by people of Lithuanian nationality (73.3 percent), people with higher education (81.1 percent), specialists (85 percent), pupils and students (74.4 percent).

The financial effects of higher education, health care and county reforms may be expected in 2-3 years, says Finance Minister Ingrida Simonyte, reports ELTA. “More serious reforms, those referred to as structural, in fact show the largest effects and best saving results only over 2-3 years, a year at best. Surely, they will not be very visible in the first year, especially with regard to counties where the idea of the reform was to simplify the administration matters and bring services closer to people, rather than economize,” the finance minister said on Ziniu Radijas on Aug. 5.