Lietuva in brief - 2012-03-01

From this day forth, non-citizens of European Union member countries can get their VAT refunded (for purchases obtained in Lithuania) at the post offices of Lithuania, ELTA reported. The Tax Free service is provided at the post offices located in the Vilnius shopping centers Panorama and Akropolis. Using the Tax Free service in these post offices, tourists can get VAT refunded in cash. The amount of purchases made in a store must make at least 200 litas (58 euros) including VAT. When leaving the European Union country, the tourist must show his/her purchases, tax-free form, receipts and passport to customs officials to have the tax-free form stamped. The Tax Free form must be validated at the customs within 3 months of purchase date. With the tax-free form stamped there are no time limits to have VAT refunded. In Lithuania, no refunds are made for foodstuffs, alcohol beverages, tobacco and tobacco products, gold and gold articles, jewelry, fuel and oil, the goods that can be exported under the license issued following the procedures set in legal acts, and etc. Also, a VAT refund is not made for services.

President Dalia Grybauskaite met with OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Knut Vollebaek, who is currently visiting Lithuania, the presidential press service said. The meeting focused on the situation of ethnic minorities in Lithuania, the experience of other countries, and on OSCE’s role in promoting social integration processes. In Lithuania, the Commission for Coordination of Ethnic Minority Affairs and a permanent group of experts within the Ministry of Education and Science have been established to deal with the issues relating to ethnic minorities. The president said that Lithuania cares about every single citizen and every Lithuanian citizen should care about their country.

During parliament’s spring session, President Dalia Grybauskaite’s top priority will be the reform of the energy sector, in particular, the project of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, Chief Presidential Adviser on Legal Affairs Solveiga Cirtautiene said. Cirtautiene named a consistent fight with corruption, breaking up monopolies and oligopolies, and improving the judicial system, among other things, as main priorities of the president. The advisor also noted that the Government had undertaken to draft necessary laws for the construction of the terminal by the middle of March. Cirtautiene said it was very important that parliament adopted these laws.