Lithuania General Information Area: 65,301 sq km (25,213 sq miles). Population: 3,692,000 (official estimate 2001). Population Density: 56.5 per sq km. Capital: Vilnius. Population: 577,969 (2000). GEOGRAPHY: Lithuania is situated on the eastern Baltic coast and borders Latvia in the north, the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation and Poland in the southwest and Belarus in the southwest and east. The geometrical centre of Europe lies in eastern Lithuania near the village of Bernotai, 25km (16 miles) north of Vilnius. The landscape alternates between lowland plains and hilly uplands and has a dense, intricate network of rivers, including the Nemunas and the Neris. One and a half per cent of the country’s territory is made up of lakes, of which there are over 2800. The majority of these lie in the east of the country and include Lake Druksiai and Lake Tauragnas. Government: Republic. Gained independence from Russia/Germany 1918-1940, and then from the Soviet Union in 1990. Head of State: President Rolandas Paksas since 2003. Head of Government: Prime Minister Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas since 2001. Language: Lithuanian is the official language. Lithuanian has a large number of dialects for such a small territory, including High Lithuanian (Aukstaiciai) and Low Lithuanian (Zemaiciai). Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic with Evangelical Lutheran, Evangelical Reformist, Russian Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim and Jewish minorities. Time: GMT + 2. Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European two-pin plugs are in use. Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 370. City codes: 2 for Vilnius, 7 for Kaunas, 6 for Klaipeda. Outgoing international code: 810. There are two kinds of payphone: rectangular telephones which take magnetic strip cards and rounded telephones which take chip cards. Phonecards are sold at kiosks and post offices. Plans are underway to introduce one type of phonecard, compatible with both phones. Mobile telephone GSM 1800 and 900 networks in use. Network operators include Bite (website: www.bite.lt), Omnitel (website: www.omnitel.lt) and Tele2 (website: www.tele2.lt). Coverage extends all over the country. Roaming agreements in operation. Fax Services in Vilnius are available in large hotels, at the Central Post Office, Gedimino 7, and at Faxsav (tel/fax: (2) 629 868) and at a few other fax bureaux. Internet Public access is available at the Lithuanian National Library and increasingly at Internet centres and cafes in main cities and towns. ISPs include Omnitel (website: www.omnitel.net) and Aiva (website: www.aiva.lt). Telegram There are telegram facilities in main post offices in each town. Post Post to Western Europe takes up to six days. There is a variety of private companies offering express mail services. Press Newspapers are published in Lithuanian and some in Russian or Polish. The major dailies are Lietuvos Rytas, Respublika, Lietuvos Aidas, Kauno Diena and the twice weekly Valstieciu Laikrastis. The newspapers Lithuanian Weekly and Lithuanian Worker are published in English. The Baltic Times is published weekly in English. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.57 12.10 9.410 6.195 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 15.21 11.82 9.760 1.197 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes No No Australian Yes No No Canadian Yes No No USA Yes No No OtherEU Yes No No Japanese Yes No No PASSPORTS: Passport valid for a minimum of six months required by all. VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) nationals listed in the chart above for tourist stays of up to 90 days; (b) nationals of Andorra, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Macau (SAR), Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Note: (a) Nationals of Korea (Rep) and South Africa holding valid Estonian or Latvian visas do not need a separate visa for Lithuania. (b) Nationals of the following countries may apply for a Lithuanian visa without first obtaining an invitation from the Lithuanian Immigration Department: Argentina, Belarus (max 30 days), Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova (max ten days), Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Russian Federation (max 30 days), Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan (max 30 days) and Ukraine (max 30 days). The length of stay permitted varies according to the applicant’s nationality. Some of the above nationals are required to present a travellers cheque book (US$40 per day), credit cards and bank statements as well as a health insurance certificate. Enquire at the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for details; see Contact Addresses section. Types of visa and cost: Single-entry: £11/US$15. Multiple-entry: £14/US$20. Special-entry (for employment or studies): £34/US$50. Transit: £5.50/US$8 (single-entry); £11/US$15 (double-entry). Group: £7/US$10 per person. Validity: Single- and Multiple-entry: 90 days. Transit: 48 hours. Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Application requirements: (a) Passport (valid for at least three months after expiry of visa). (b) One passport-size photo. (c) One completed application form. (d) Letter of invitation endorsed by the Lithuanian authorities (not required by certain nationals – see note above). (e) Fee. (f) Applications by post are accepted only if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope and exact consular fee. (g) Other documents, such as hotel reservations and bank statements, may be required. Working days required: Five. Visas can be obtained within 72 hours for an additional charge of £14/US$20. Money Currency: Litas (Lt) = 100 centas. Notes are in denominations of Lt500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Lt5, 2 and 1, and the worthless 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 centas. Currency exchange: Currency can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change. ATMs are available in most cities. There are 24-hour exchange bureaux at Gelezinkelio 6, near the main railway station and at Lietuvos Taupomasis Bankas, Savanoriu 15A in Vilnius. Credit & debit cards: Most major credit cards are accepted in the main hotels, restaurants, shops and in some petrol stations. Check with your credit and debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: Not accepted by retailers and can only be exchanged at a few outlets. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars. Currency restrictions: The import of local and foreign currency is unlimited. The export of local currency is limited to Lt5000. The export of foreign currency is unlimited. Any amount exceeding Lt40,000 or equivalent must be declared. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Litas against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 £1.00= 5.45 5.40 5.47 5.09 $1.00= 3.74 3.55 3.46 3.19 Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700. Some banks also open Sat 0900-1300. Duty Free The following goods may be imported into Lithuania without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco; 1l of spirits and 2l of wine and 1.5l of sparkling wine and 5l of beer; 3kg of chocolate or foodstuffs containing cocoa; 2kg of coffee; 5kg of sugar; other foodstuffs not exceeding Lt200 in value; 50g of jewellery; goods for personal use. Note: US$20 must be paid in order to import a hunting gun. Public Holidays Nov 1 2002 All Saints’ Day. Dec 25-26 Christmas. Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Feb 16 Independence Day. Mar 11 Restoration of Lithuania’s Statehood. Apr 21 Easter Monday. Jul 6 Anniversary of the Coronation of King Mindaugas. Aug 15 Assumption. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Dec 25-26 Christmas. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 16 Independence Day. Mar 11 Restoration of Lithuania’s Statehood. Apr 12 Easter Monday. Jul 6 Anniversary of the Coronation of King Mindaugas. Aug 15 Assumption. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Dec 25-26 Christmas. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No No Cholera No No Typhoid and Polio No N/A Malaria No N/A Food & drink: Water supplies are generally reliable in cities, though it has a high mineral content and can be cloudy. Bottled or filtered water is preferable for these reasons. If travelling in rural areas, drink only bottled water. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are generally safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat, although there is some risk of fish tapeworm from freshwater fish. Exercise food and drink hygiene precautions, especially in rural areas. Other risks: Hepatitis A and B, and diphtheria are present. TB may be a threat. Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in forested areas, and vaccination is strongly advisable. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix. Health care: Health insurance is recommended. Although emergency treatment for foreign tourists is provided free of charge, all other medical services incur a charge. Travel - International AIR: The national airline, Lithuanian Airlines (TE), flies from Vilnius to Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Frankfurt/M, Helsinki, Kiev, London, Moscow, Paris, Stockholm, Tallinn and Warsaw. Other airlines offering connections to Vilnius include Aeroflot, Austrian Airlines, Air Baltic, British Airways, Estonian Air, Finnair, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa and SAS. For further information, contact Lithuanian Airlines in the UK (tel: (01293) 579 900); or Air Lithuania in Kaunas (tel: (7) 391 420; e-mail: sales@airlithuania.lt; website: www.airlithuania.lt/). Air Lithuania offers flights from Kaunas and Palanga to Billund, Cologne, Oslo, Hamburg, Moscow and Kristianstad. Approximate flight times: From Vilnius to London is 3 hours, to Copenhagen is 1 hour 30 minutes and to Berlin is 1 hour 20 minutes. International airports: Vilnius Airport (VNO) (website: www.vilnius-airport.lt) is situated approximately 6km (3.5 miles) from the city centre. There are taxi and bus services to the city (travel time – 10 minutes). Airport facilities include duty-free shop, banks/bureaux de change (24-hour), refreshments and tourist information. There are also international airports in Kaunas and Palanga; the latter serves the whole of the Baltic coast. Departure tax: US$10. SEA: Klaipeda is connected by trade routes with 200 foreign ports. There are ferry services to Denmark, Germany and Sweden. For information on ferry services from Klaipeda, contact Krantas Shipping (tel: (6) 395 111; fax: (6) 395 222; e-mail: travel@krantas.lt; website: www.krantas.lt). At present, there are services to Ahus, Karlshamm in Sweden; Aarhus and Aabenraa in Denmark; and to Kiel and Mukran in Germany. RAIL: Lithuania has a well-developed rail network and Vilnius is the focal point for rail connections in the region. Major routes go to Riga, Warsaw, Sczecin, Minsk, Kaliningrad, St Petersburg, Moscow and Lviv (Ukraine). Vilnius has passenger train connections with Berlin, Budapest, Prague, Sofia through Belarus and a direct connection with Suwalki (Poland). ROAD: Lithuania has a good network of roads connecting the country with all neighbouring states. The crossing points on the Lithuanian-Polish border are Ogrodniki (Poland)–Lazdijai (Lithuania) and for trucks at Kalvarija (Lithuania). There are numerous crossing points with Latvia, Belarus and the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation. The international road Via Baltica goes from Tallinn to Warsaw through Latvia and Lithuania, thus connecting Scandinavia with Western Europe. Coach: There are passenger coaches from Vilnius to cities including Warsaw, Gdansk, Riga, Tallinn, Berlin, Vienna, Moscow, Prague, Minsk and Kaliningrad. Charter buses go to all Western European countries. Eurolines, departing from Victoria Coach Station in London, serves destinations in Lithuania. For further information, contact Eurolines (4 Cardiff Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, L41 1PP; tel: (08705) 143 219; fax: (01582) 400 694; website: www.eurolines.com or www.gobycoach.com). Travel - Internal AIR: There are domestic airports at Kaunas, Palanga and Siauliai. There are not many domestic flights. RAIL: There are good connections from Vilnius to Kaunas, Klaipeda and Siauliai. Twice-daily passenger trains (including a sleeper train) connect Vilnius with the Baltic coast. Though the train does not stop in Palanga, the major resort on the Baltic coast, passengers to Palanga usually get off at Kretinga station or in Klaipeda, and then reach Palanga by bus. Passengers to Neringa (Nida, Juodkrante) can go to Klaipeda by train, and then take a bus. Suburban trains going to Ignalina connect Vilnius with the popular lake district of the National Park. The ancient Trakai Castle can be reached by taking the suburban train going to Trakai. ROAD: There is a good network of roads within the country. Modern four-lane motorways connect Vilnius with Kaunas, Klaipeda and Panevezys. Traffic regulations: Seat belts must be worn. The speed limit is 110kph (68mph) on motorways, 90kph (56mph) on country roads and 60kph (44mph) inside towns. The Vilnius-Kaunas highway has a speed limit of 100kph (60mph). Traffic drives on the right. Bus: Generally, buses are more frequent and quicker than domestic trains and serve almost every town and village. Car hire: Avis, Hertz and Europcar can provide chauffeur-driven or self-drive cars. Documentation: Most European nationals should be in possession of EU pink format driving licences. Otherwise, a national driving licence is sufficient, if supported by photograph-bearing ID. URBAN: Public transport in urban districts includes buses and trolleybuses, which usually run from 0600-0100. Transport coupons can be bought either at news kiosks before boarding either the bus or trolleybus or from the driver. Minibuses are less crowded but more expensive. Taxi: These display illuminated Taksi signs and can be hailed in the street, found at taxi ranks or ordered by phone. Accommodation HOTELS: Since independence, western-style hotels and motels have been built in Lithuania in co-operation with foreign firms. Modernisation and renovation programmes are generally concentrated in Vilnius. All major hotels in Kaunas are concentrated in the centre of the town. Meanwhile Vilnius and the other major centres in the country enjoy an adequate range of good accommodation including large hotels and smaller pensions. A star grading system is in force. For further details, contact the Lithuanian State Department of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section) or the Lithuanian Hotel Association, Hotel Lietuva, Ukmerges 20, 2009 Vilnius (tel/fax: (2) 726 560; e-mail: info@lithuanianhotels.com; website: www.lithuanianhotels.com). PRIVATE ROOMS: Travel agencies can arrange rental of rooms in private homes as well as houses. This is especially popular in resort regions. CAMPING: Campsites are not numerous. The majority of them are located in the most picturesque regions: Palanga (on the shore of the Baltic Sea), Trakai (lake district) and near larger towns. There are three sites in close proximity to Vilnius. Pitching a tent is permitted at the majority of Lithuanian lakes and rivers (including the National Park) for a small fee, but almost no other facilities are provided at these sites. YOUTH HOSTELS: There are currently about eight hostels in Lithuania. For further information, contact Lithuanian Youth Hostels, Ausros Vartu 20-15A, 2001 Vilnius (tel: (2) 625 357; e-mail: oldtownhostels@delfe.lt; website: www.balticbackpackers.com). Introduction VILNIUS: The historic city of Vilnius (founded in 1323) is the capital of Lithuania. Surrounded on three sides by wooded hills and situated in a picturesque valley formed by the rivers Neris and Vilnia, the ancient yet modern centre of the city lies on the southern or left bank of the river. Unlike Tallinn and Riga in the other Baltic Republics, Vilnius is not of Germanic origin, although like these other cities it has a large old quarter which is gradually being restored. Almost all major European architectural styles are represented, although ultimately it was the Baroque which came to dominate. The heart of the capital is the beautiful and spacious Gediminas Square, the main feature of which is the Cathedral built in the Classical style. Other interesting churches are the Gothic St Ann’s Church and the St Peter and St Paul’s Church, which houses the body of St Casimieras, one of the most revered of Lithuania’s dukes. It also includes some fine sculptures. Any itinerary of the city should include the historic University of Vilnius, which was granted its charter in 1579, the Golden Age in the city’s history. The university is among the oldest universities in Central Europe and has a distinctly Renaissance feel with its inner courtyards and arcades. To enjoy a view of the whole city, visitors should climb the tower of Gediminas Castle. High on a hill in the centre of the city, it rises above Vilnius and is the symbol of the Lithuanian capital. EXCURSIONS: About 25km (18 miles) from Vilnius lies Trakai, an ancient capital of Lithuania. Situated on the shore of the picturesque Lake Galve, on which boat rides are available, the city has a castle dating from the 14th century. Further to the west is the spa of Birstonas, renowned for its mineral waters and tranquility. KAUNAS: To the west of Vilnius lies the industrial and cultural centre of Kaunas, Lithuania’s second city. Also known as the ‘city of museums’ it boasts, amongst others, the Museum of Devil’s Sculptures and a memorial to those who suffered during the Nazi occupation. The most famous museum is dedicated to the works of the Lithuanian painter Ciurlionis. Kaunas also numbers three theatres, some 11th-century castle ruins and the old City Hall among its attractions. ELSEWHERE: Other places of interest in Lithuania include the small riverside spa resort of Druskininkai, situated 135km (84 miles) from Vilnius, and the small town of Rumsiskes, 80km (50 miles) from Vilnius and 20km (12.5 miles) from Kaunas, with its open-air museum of wooden architecture exhibiting farmhouses from all the various regions of the country. Popular seaside resorts include Palanga and Kursiu Nerija (with the settlements of Nida and Juodkrante), which are famous for their clean white sand beaches, natural sand dunes and pine forests. Palanga also boasts the Amber Museum and an interesting botanical park. Nida is the last village on the Lithuanian half of the spit surrounded by endless stretches of clean white sand. A lighthouse from 1874 can be visited here, as can the Thomas Mann Museum, situated in the house where the German writer spent his holidays between 1930-32. To the south lies the city of Klaipeda, an important seaport as well as the main centre for ferry connections from Lithuania. The two main towns in the north of the country are Siauliai, an important industrial centre with the famous Hill of Crosses about 10km (6 miles) from the city, and Panevezys with its famous Drama Theatre. Sport & Activities Hiking: Lithuania is a predominantly flat country, a quarter of which is covered by forests. There are five national parks and numerous other conservation areas. Hiking trails can be found all over the country. One of the highlights is the Curonian Spit National Park, on the peninsula separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea, where visitors can explore a range of large sand dunes and several pine forests. Rare flora and fauna are to be found here. Trakai National Park contains many lakes while Aukstaitija and Zemaitija National Parks feature hills, lakes and uplands. Watersports: A range of watersports is practised on Lithuania’s many lakes and rivers, and equipment can be hired locally. Fishing is very popular. Licences, which are compulsory, are issued by the Department of Water Resources, Juozapaviciaus 9, Vilnius (tel: (2) 723 631). Sailing and windsurfing are popular on the lakes near Trakai, at Kursiu marios (a lagoon at the Baltic) and at Kauno marios near Kaunas. Other: Wintersports include ice-fishing, cross-country skiing and skating. Lithuania has extensive sporting facilities including the 15,000-seat Zalgiris stadium in Vilnius and facilities for swimming, football, handball, basketball (the most popular sport), tennis and hockey. Social Profile Food & Drink: Local specialities include skilandis (smoked meat), salti barsciai (cold soup), cepelinai (made from grated potatoes with a minced meat filling), vedarai (potato sausage) and bulviniai blynai (potato pancakes). Smoked eel is a famous Baltic delicacy. Waiter service is the norm in restaurants and cafes, but self-service restaurants, bistros and snack bars are numerous. Local brands of beer and imported drinks are popular. A famous Lithuanian spirit is midus, a mild alcoholic beverage made from honey. Nightlife: Cinemas can be found in all towns. Lithuanian theatres, most of which are concentrated in the capital, are also renowned. The Jaunimo teatras in Vilnius are famous throughout the country. Opera and ballet are staged in the city at the Vilnius Opera Theatre and Kaunas has a Musical Theatre. Puppet shows are staged for children in Vilnius and Kaunas. There are restaurants with live music as well as numerous discotheques and nightclubs with variety shows in the larger towns. Shopping: Amber, linen goods and local crafts are good buys. National artists sell their works in specialised art galleries in major towns. Shopping hours: Grocery shops open Mon-Fri 0800-2000. Special Events: For full details, contact the Lithuanian State Department of Tourism (see Contact Addresses). The following are a few of the events taking place in Lithuania during 2003: Jan 13 Day of the Defenders of Freedom, Antakalnis cemetries and nationwide. Mar Mardi Gras, Vilnius. May Skamba, skamba, Kankliai (international folk festival), Vilnius; Spring of Poetry, Vilnius. May-Jul Vilnius Festival (traditional music festival), Vilnius. Jun 23 Jonines Night (summer solstice). Jul Thomas Mann Festival, Nida. Sep International Jazz Festival, Vilnius. Dec Christmas Music, Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipêda. Social Conventions: Handshaking is customary. Normal courtesies should be observed. The Lithuanians are proud of their culture and their national heritage and visitors should take care to respect this sense of national identity. Tipping: Taxi fares and restaurant bills include a tip. Otherwise, tips are discretionary. Business Profile Economy: Lithuania has historically been the least developed of the Baltic republics, with a smaller industrial base and greater dependence on agriculture, prior to rapid industrialisation during the Soviet era. Sugar beet, cereals, potatoes and vegetables are the main crops. Electrical, electronic and optical goods and light machinery are the main industrial products. Food processing is also an important industry, with an ample supply of agricultural products from Lithuania’s own farming and fisheries sector and, more recently, from Russia. Timber production has expanded on the back of growing trade links with Scandanavia. Lithuania’s other major economic asset is the Baltic’s only naturally ice-free port (other than Kaliningrad) at Klaipeda. Lithuania is a founder member of the regional co-operation organisation for Baltic littoral states, the Council of Baltic Sea States. The Government has largely completed the dismantling of the old Soviet-style command economy, introducing a market system and liberalising foreign trade. Domestic political factors stalled some parts of the otherwise rapid privatisation programme, especially the key energy industries (which rely largely on raw materials from Russia) as well as the finance and banking sector. However, privatisation of the banking sector was completed in 2002 with the sale of the main agricultural bank; and the sale of most remaining state assets (mainly in the energy and transport sectors) scheduled for 2002. Lithuania’s trade patterns have gradually shifted during the 1990s towards the West, and the European Union now accounts for just under half of all Lithuanian trade. Some 30 per cent of import trade and 20 per cent of export trade is conducted with partners in the former Soviet Union, principally Russia and Latvia. Lithuania has recovered from the serious knock-on effects of the 1998 Russian financial crisis and is now experiencing steady growth of around six per cent annually. The country joined the IMF and World Bank in 1992, as well as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development as a Country of Operation. A convertible currency, the Litas, was introduced in 1993. Lithuania is one of 13 countries in the queue to join the EU. Accession negotiations, which began in October 1999, have progressed well and Lithuania is one of ten (out of the 13) who may be able to join in 2004. Business: Business is conducted in a fairly formal manner and a smart appearance is important. Appointments should be made in advance. English is used for international commerce. A knowledge of German, Russian or Polish may also be useful. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and 1400-1800. Commercial Information: The following organisations can offer advice: Association of Lithuanian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, J Tumo-Vaizganto 9/1-63A, 2001 Vilnius (tel: (2) 612 102; fax: (2) 612 112; e-mail: info@chambers.lt; website: www.chambers.lt); or European Committee of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, Gedimino 56, 2600 Vilnius (tel: (2) 661 700; fax: (2) 496 178; e-mail: mail@www.euro.lt; website: www.euro.lt). Conferences/Conventions: A number of hotels in Vilnius have conference facilities and can organise conventions. Some rest homes in Palanga also provide facilities during the low season. For further information, contact the Lithuanian State Department of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section), the Lithuanian Hotel Association (see Accommodation section) or LITEXPO, Laisves pr 5, 2600 Vilnius (tel: (2) 454 500; fax: (2) 454 511; e-mail: info@litexpo.lt; website: www.litexpo.lt). Climate Temperate climate, but with considerable temperature variations. Summer is warm with relatively mild weather in spring and autumn. Winter, which lasts from November to mid-March, can be very cold. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year with the heaviest rainfall in August. Heavy snowfalls are common in the winter months. History and Government History: Present-day Lithuanians, along with Latvians and ancient Prussians, are descendants of the Balts, an Indo-European ethnic group that settled on the Baltic coast 4000 years ago. The name of Lithuania was first mentioned in the Quedlinburg Annals in 1009. Under Grand Duke Gediminas, who is recognised as the founder of Lithuania, and under the rule of Grand Duke Mindaugas, the territory was extended during the 14th century southwards to take in Minsk and later as far as the Black Sea. This power enabled Lithuania to withstand the advance of the Teutonic Knights and to reach, together with Poland, the decisive victory at the Zalgiris (Tannenberg) battle in 1410. At the Union of Lublin in 1569, a full-scale merger between Lithuania and Poland took place, creating ‘The Joint Republic of the Polish Kingdom and Lithuanian Grand Duchy’. However, the ensuing centuries showed that this was insufficient to protect Lithuania from the territorial ambitions of other regional powers. At the end of the 18th century, the Joint Republic was carved up and occupied in successive partitions. Russia took possession of part of Lithuania in 1795 (the western region was claimed by Prussia) and held on to it until the early 20th century. The Russians were driven out by the German army during World War I and, after the Bolshevik revolution brought an end to Russian involvement in World War I, the Lithuanian Council declared independence in February 1918. In 1921, Lithuania joined the League of Nations. Although the Lithuanians had settled their differences with the Russians, temporarily at least, the Poles continued to occupy Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, in defiance of Allied demarcation which had awarded the city to the Lithuanians. The capital of the new state was therefore established at Kaunas. The Lithuanian constitution promulgated in 1922 declared Lithuania to be a parliamentary republic with the Seimas as the legislative organ. However, a military coup in December 1926 brought Antanas Smetona to power at the head of an authoritarian regime backed by the nationalist Tautininku movement. The status of Lithuania was again altered following the Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939, whose secret protocols allowed for a Soviet takeover of all three Baltic Republics. Lithuania was occupied by the German Army in 1941 until its re-annexation by the Soviets three years later. The republic underwent some industrialisation and the immigration of ethnic Russians between the 1950s and the mid-1980s, though not on the scale experienced by Estonia or Latvia. When Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the Kremlin in 1985, the population still comprised 80-90 per cent ethnic Lithuanians. Taking advantage of the less repressive political climate, pressure for political and economic reform in Lithuania grew. This was spearheaded by the Sajudis, the Lithuanian Reform Movement, which put forward a programme of democratic and national rights coupled with support for an independent Lithuania. The Lithuanian Communist Party was split between Sajudis supporters – who won a majority on the Lithuanian Supreme Soviet at elections in February/March 1990 – and those who backed the Moscow position asserting the supremacy of the centre. Moscow responded initially with selective economic sanctions, and then military deployments to deter the pro-independence elements. Despite occupying radio, TV and other key installations, the Soviet forces were forced to back down in the face of a mass popular mobilisation called by Landsbergis, compounded by a referendum on independence which won 90 per cent support. This decisive period in recent Lithuanian history finished with the failed coup against Gorbachev in August 1991 and the effective end to Soviet Government. Lithuanian independence followed immediately, unopposed and by default. The country was internationally recognised and rapidly gained admission to the United Nations, the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. An attempt to implement price rises at the beginning of 1991 had already led to the resignation of Lithuania’s first Prime Minister, the charismatic Kazimiera Prunskiene, replaced by the new Sajudis leader Gediminas Vagnorius. The transition to a full market economy now began; by 1995 it had been more or less completed. Lithuania was able to deal fairly quickly with several outstanding issues concerning its larger neighbours: the long-running border dispute with Poland was settled with the signing of a friendship and co-operation treaty in January 1992, and negotiations with Russia led to the withdrawal of the remaining Russian troops in Lithuania in August 1993. Lithuania’s main priorities abroad were to secure membership of the European Union and of NATO. Both are now within reach. The country has fulfilled most of the entrance criteria for accession to the EU and may well be allowed to join, along with nine other applicants (mostly from fellow central and eastern European states), in 2004. Strong objections originally posted by Moscow to any of the Baltic states entering NATO have gradually been mollified, and Lithuania may receive an invitation to join at the forthcoming Prague NATO summit in 2002. There is a sensitive outstanding problem with Russia, however, concerning access to the Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad. This geographical peculiarity is important to the Russians as the single Baltic port that is ice-free throughout the year. It has also developed a thriving economy as a free trade port with access to valuable European markets. The Lithuanians are reluctant to allow a free access corridor across their territory, which is the only viable route from the enclave to the rest of Russia. Domestic politics have been dominated by the struggle between the Democratic Labour Party – which grew out of the former Lithuanian Communist Party – and centre-right, liberal and nationalist groupings based initially around Sajudis, and more recently the New Union and the Conservative Party of Lithuania (formed following a split in Sajudis in 1996). New political formations tend to organise around a prominent individual, such as Vytautas Landsbergis, a prominent Sajudis leader and ex-president, and Algirdas Brazauskas who has given his name to the four-party social democratic coalition which won the most recent Seimas (parliament) election in October 2000. Landsbergis’ fortunes, meanwhile, received a setback when he was narrowly and unexpectedly defeated in the February 1998 race for the presidency. The victor was a little-known independent, Valdas Adamkus, who had only recently returned to Lithuania from the United States (where he had worked as an environmental protection officer). Brazauskas recovered the premiership in 2001 after a handful of short-lived predecessors. Government: Under the constitution adopted in October 1992, legislative authority rests with the popularly elected Seimas, the parliament, with 141 Government members. The president is the head of state and is elected for a five-year term by universal adult suffrage. Executive power is vested in the Government, consisting of the prime minister, who is appointed by the president with approval of the Seimas, and his cabinet. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.