At the beginning of this year Germany, which is considered nearly the major engine of Euro integration, has taken over the presidency of the European Union. Chancellor A.Merkel highlighted that the motto Germany has chosen for Council Presidency, is „Europe: succeeding together”, and that major priorities will include the initiatives on revitalization of the draft EU Constitution and assurance of energetic security of the EU.

Lithuania has already achieved its strategic goals: it joined the European Union and NATO but what aspects of the accession of both Lithuania and the Baltic States into the European Union are useful for Russia?

Russia will find it very useful if it has much influence in the Baltic States and especially if the Baltic States speak not their on but Russia’s voice coordinating policies and expressing friendly statements, in other words, what Russia wants. Already now the European Parliament may have a Lithuanian Member saying what Russia needs.

Baltic and Russian Affairs Expert Paul Goubl stressed that the Baltic countries are feeling a constantly increasing pressure from Moscow especially in terms of security and shaping of foreign policy. In your opinion, what possible threats Russia poses to Lithuania?

One could talk about many aspects but I would like to mention just a few current and the most obvious facts: one of them has not been yet assessed in Lithuania – the issue of energy safety. It is only a matter of time when we in Lithuania experience the same scenario of Ukraine, Moldova or Georgia.

For effective complex defence of Latvia, the establishment of a permanent division of the National Armed Forces has started in Latgale, reported the official website of the Ministry of Defence.

On 13 January a concert "Together to the victory" was held in Lithuania, where the audience decided to support Ukraine's defence and donated 110 thousand Euros.

Alexander Lukashenko on 9 January signed a decree № 8 "On the establishment of visa-free entry and exit of foreign nationals." The document establishes visa-free entry to Belarus for a period not exceeding 5 days at the entrance through the checkpoint "National Airport Minsk" for citizens of 80 countries, - reported the press service of the President of Belarus.