Lietuva in brief - 2009-12-02

Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius says the government is “ready to commit” to increase old-age pensions after the current hard times, reports ELTA. “The government is prepared to commit at the end of this period of financial crisis to compensate [the present-day reduction] by a faster increase in post-crisis social spending, among them costs for old-age pensions,” said Kubilius. He said that it is better to consider a specific reimbursement scheme when the economy recovers. Under the transitional law on recalculation of social benefits, old-age pensions will be reduced by 3.3 - 12.4 percent, in proportion to their amount. The largest decrease will be made in old-age pensions which total 1,700 litas (490 euros) and more. Pensions of working pensioners will be cut in proportion to their salaries - from 2.5 percent to 70 percent. 

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Lithuanian National Defense Ministry and the Kosovo Security Force Ministry in Vilnius on Nov. 30, reports ELTA. The memorandum provides for development of relations in international security and stability, education and training, crisis management, international operations, management of emergencies and others. Lithuanian National Defense Minister Rasa Jukneviciene assured Kosovo counterpart Fehmi Mujota that Lithuania would continue providing opportunities for Kosovo’s military representatives to study in military education institutions and would encourage involvement of other Baltic states in the cooperation. During the meeting the ministers agreed on priorities of further cooperation and on potential sectors of the Kosovo Security Forces to receive Lithuania’s support.