Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas symbolically resigned his post on July 12 upon the inauguration of President Valdas Adamkus, a procedure customary when new presidents take office. While he has the power to appoint and dismiss ministers, Adamkus has stated that he will not change the Cabinet and nominated Brazauskas to return to his post the day after the inauguration.
More than two months after Lithuania joined the European Union, the Seimas (Lithuania's parliament) passed a constitutional amendment that allows EU laws to supersede domestic ones. According to the amendment, regulations resulting from EU treaties should be directly applied in Lithuania. Lithuania received criticism from EU officials for not having passed the amendment before joining the union.
The date of the upcoming parliamentary elections was changed from Sept. 16 to Oct. 10 after the Seimas passed a constitutional amendment regulating the timing of elections. While acting President Arturas Paulauskas, who resumed his duties as parliamentary chairman on July 12, had earlier issued a decree setting the September election date, President Valdas Adamkus is expected to issue a new decree.
Moldovan Foreign Minister Andrey Stratan (photo) met with President Valdas Adamkus, former acting President Arturas Paulauskas and Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas in Vilnius on July 9. Among topics discussed were the pro-Russian revolt in Moldova's Pridnestrovye region as well as Lithuanian support for Moldova's EU and NATO integration efforts.
The daily Lietuvos zinios reported that the extradition of Gintaras Petrikas (photo) from the United States to Lithuania could take up to two years. According to the newspaper, Petrikas' lawyers are expected to file a series of appeals that would drag out the process. Petrikas is suspected of absconding with 344 million litas' (100 million euros') worth of deposits from a savings and loan bank.
A group of academic institutions announced plans to found a new Center for Studies of Eastern European Jewish Culture and History, which will research and promulgate information about Jewish life in Lithuania and neighboring countries. Organizers also plan to hold grant competitions for academics researching the history of Jews in Lithuania.
The Latvian government selected the Lithuanian mint to participate in a tender that would make it the official producer of Latvian state awards, including medals and special orders. Latvian producers of medals said they would be unable to fill a large order before the Nov. 18 Independence Day ceremonies and thus excluded themselves from the tender.
