Why I won’t come back to Lithuania. Not just yet…

Dear Editor,

I am a Lithuanian, but I live abroad, and I am not going back. At least now, at least until the government does not pay attention to its people. According to some authoritative research institutes, during 2017, Lithuania’s population is again projected to decrease (by 45,677 people) and reach 2,758,290 in the beginning of 2018. (http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/lithuania-population/). As of 1 January 2017, the population of Lithuania was estimated to be 2,803,967 people. This is a decrease of 1.63  per cent (46,433 people) compared to the population of 2,850,400 the year before. In other words, our nation is slowly disappearing.

Everyone except government knows the reasons why people leave the country. It is not difficult to understand. I can explain why my family left. Simply, we need food, clothes and medical care. Our children need good education. And the most important thing is we want to be sure of the future. Simple things for simple people.

Instead of doing practical things, our authorities just do everything to make Lithuanians leave. For example, data released by Statistics Lithuania on January 9, showed that in December 2016, prices increased in all but three segments, with a 6.2 per cent boost in the hotel, cafe, and restaurant sector, and services became 2.4 per cent more expensive. This is only one example. (http://www.intellinews.com/lithuanian-price-growth-accelerates-in-december-113388/).

Along with emigration and an unstable economy, another alarming moment is the attempt to make us live in fear. Lithuanians are sick and tired of fear! People even lost a sense of reality. They do not understand if it is good or bad when the number of foreign troops in a small Lithuanian town is equal to the number of locals.

Surely the Lithuanian economy needs foreign investments, but who will come and invest in a country that lives in expectation of war? Lithuanian authorities try to persuade the whole world that military aggression and the seizure of our territories are inevitable, and at the same time say that Lithuania is waiting for foreign business and is creating favorable conditions for it. Does the government really think that foreign businessmen are so stupid to invest money in a country that probably will be the arena of war in some months?

Do you know that all these foreign soldiers demand even more than we, Lithuanians? Once it is decided to deploy them, Lithuania has pledged to support them. Do you know how much? No one knows the exact figures, but everyone understands -a huge amount of money! For example: Japan pays more than $800,000 a year. Are we ready for it?
Government, call me back, do something. Convince me and others to return, promise Lithuanians to make our lives better at home, and support us. It may be surprising to you, my government, but not only guests, immigrants and foreign troops need help, support and a high quality of life in Lithuania. We, Lithuanians, need it more.
I want to, but can’t go back to Lithuania now…

Yours sincerely,
Adomas Abromaitis