LITHUANIA
The Republic of Lithuania is a member of the European Union (1 May,
2004) and North Atlantic Alliance (29 March, 2004). After joining
the most powerful world structures of economy and defence Lithuania
has become a fully-fledged state with the future of economic and
political stability substantially justifying its geopolitical place
in the centre of Europe.
The historical year of 2004, signifying a new stage of the state
life and perspective, at the same time reminds us of the dramatic
path the millennial country took to preserve its identity and
independence. The year 2004 has been announced as the year of the
Lithuanian language, which is one of the oldest Indo-European
languages in the world, the year of the 100th anniversary of its
resumption supported by UNESCO. At the juncture of the XIV and XV
centuries Lithuania became one of the largest European states.
Vilnius University founded in 1579 became an important cultural and
educational centre on the European scale.
In the XVI century the Lithuanian Statutes were passed. The Statutes
were considered to be a legal foundation for the civilized state and
they had influence on the legislation of other countries. Despite
the loss of the statehood, the Third Statute was valid for 250 years
and helped to preserve the national civic conscience.
Lithuania's union with Poland into a common state (Zhechpospolita -
Republic, 1569) or when Lithuania was under the tsarist Russia
occupation (1795 -1917) and Soviet occupation (1940 - 1990) it came
to the limited manifestation of the national aspirations and
hindered the development of the state. Even though Lithuania then
vanished as a state and the world forgot it, yet the nation
sustained the wish for freedom and this was reminded by liberation
uprisings in 1931 and 1963; during the period of prohibition of the
Lithuanian press, books and periodicals were published and secretly
distributed to citizens.
At all times Lithuania has been an important centre of tolerance and
liberalism of the Old Continent where local communities of various
nationalities such as Russians, Germans, Poles, Jews, Karaites and
Tatars got along well. Lithuania is at the European crossroads of
trade routes. It has been crossed by East-West and Via Hansa
(nowadays - Via Baltica) road corridors.
THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
Lithuanians feel pride in themselves for managing to restore the
independent state twice after the occupations had ended - 16
February 1918 and 11 March 1990. The Lithuanian state is an
independent democratic republic. The aforementioned provision was
inserted in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania and
approved in the referendum of Lithuanian citizens on 25 October
1992. In Article 5 of the Constitution it is said, "In Lithuania,
the powers of the State shall be exercised by the Parliament, the
President of the Republic and Government, and the Judiciary. The
scope of powers shall be defined by the Constitution. Institutions
of power shall serve the people. "Population. Lithuania is the only
one of the Baltic countries, which has a millennial history of the
statehood. Lithuania covers a larger area and it has a larger
population than the two Baltic neighbours, namely, Latvia and
Estonia. Throughout the 20th century and at the start of the year
2004 Lithuania was and still is the most indiscrete in comparison
with the other Baltic states: from the total population of 3.45
million people, 83.5 percent are Lithuanians; 6.74 per cent are
Poles; 6.31 per cent are Russians, 1.23 percent are Belarussians;
and others make fewer than 1 per cent.
The capital of Lithuania is Vilnius. Vilnius combines beautiful old
architecture with modern skyscrapers. Having gained acceleration in
development, it has become the most modern capital city in the
Baltic states. It has become a gravitation centre for meetings of
the representatives of other states. Kaunas, Klaipeda, Šiauliai,
Panevežys could be mentioned among the largest Lithuania's cities.
Communications
Lithuania has a highly developed communications system. There are
three international airports. The national company "Lithuanian
airlines" and eleven foreign airlines provide communications between
the capital and Kaunas, Klaipeda as well as the main cities of the
continent. Klaipeda is the northernmost ice-free port on the Baltic
where the most important seaways and European overland routes
converge. There are four mobile phone companies in Lithuania
providing communications with almost the whole world. There is quick
by spreading public access to the Internet. Finance, banking and
financial intermediation services are provided by 10 commercial
banks as well as by 4 foreign bank departments. Most of them offer
e-banking services. The litas is the Lithuanian national currency.
On 2 February 2002 the litas was pegged to the EU currency the euro:
1 euro = 3.4528 LTL.
Culture
Lithuania presents itself as a country with highly developed
cultural life. Lithuania is famous for its symphony and chamber
orchestras, which have been recognized all over the world.
Performances given by the National Opera and Ballet Theatre have
been truly impressive. Lithuanian talented opera singers, dancers,
and pianists are welcomed on many of the stages all over world. The
best in Europe play directors Eimuntas Nekrošius and Oskaras
Koršunovas and many other artists make Lithuania famous worldwide.
Many of the music and modern dance festival programmes and
performers would impress lovers of European metropolitan art and
culture.
Sports
Basketball is the most popular kind of sport in Lithuania: in 2003
the Lithuanian team for a third time became the European champions.
Besides that, our pride is the sport dancing troupe “Žuvedra" - the
world champions and winners at many various competitions. Lithuania
is famous for its classical and Latin American dance couples as
well. Jurgis Kairys is a well-known stunt pilot. He is the winner of
the stunt flying world cup. Jurgis Kairys and the national team
belong to the elite of the world in this kind of sport.
Services
In the last years there has been a significant increase in the
expansion of the service facilities. Many catering firms offer a
variety of cuisines. Bars, nightclubs and casinos provide
entertainment. Guests are awaited at many local and some foreign
chain hotels, guesthouses, and campsites. Holidaymakers and tourists
are offered to go sightseeing. There are plenty of objects of
cultural tourism, seaside and rehabilitation resorts, and recreation
routes. Exciting adventures are offered by motivating tourism. The
seaside resorts are Palanga and Neringa. The rehabilitation resorts
are Druskininkai and Birštonas.
Heritage
Lithuania is celebrated for its beautiful landscape and unique
historical and cultural heritage. 5 objects have already been
included in the UNESCO world cultural heritage lists. They are as
follows: the Old Town (1994) - it is one of the largest (about 360
hectares) and one of the most beautiful old towns in Central and
East Europe, which reminds of the old rich Italian cities Rome or
Florence; the Curonian Spit (2000) is one of the most unique and
beautiful landscapes in Europe. The architectural and historical
museum reserve - the ancient Lithuanian capital Kernave - represents
the historical layers of life of Lithuanian ancestry from the 10th
millennium before Christ until the early Middle Ages and that is why
Kernave is called Lithuanian Troy (2003). Folk art such as cross
making represents immaterial heritage monuments (2001) - traditional
Lithuanian crosses - handmade creations with features of wooden
sculpture, often with elements of architecture and smithery, for
which UNESCO decided to provide special aid in 2004; Lithuanian song
festivals (2003) were included in the list of the world heritage
together with the Latvian and Estonian song festivals.
There are 5 national, 30 regional, plenty of municipal and
countryseat parks. They unveil all the beauty and diversity of
Lithuania's landscape.
Economic growth
Our country has joined the EU being one of the leaders from all the
candidates countries. Last year Lithuania's economic growth was one
of the fastest not only in Europe but also the world. In 2003, the
gross domestic product grew by 8.9 per cent in comparison with the
year 2002. Furthermore, the gross domestic product reached even 10.6
per cent in the last quarter of the last year. (The GDP grew by 6.5
per cent in 2001 and by 2002 6.8 per cent in 2002). In 2003, the
gross domestic product amounted to 54.846 billion.
In 2002, according to the level of competitiveness Lithuania was in
the 36th place in the world; whereas Czech Republic was in the 40th
place, Latvia - 44th, Poland - 61st. Lithuanian enterprises invest
twice as much as EU companies. Besides that, Lithuanian counterparts
have fewer debts, local and export turnover growth is three times
faster than in Europe.
Forecast
It has been forecasted that the GDP will grow up to 13.8 per cent
(18.8 billion euros) during the period of years 2002 - 2009 because
of the EU integration processes. It is anticipated that Lithuanian
export then will jump up to 1.9 times. The growth of consumption
because of the integration will amount to 14.5 billion euros and it
is thought that in 2005 the influence of this process will be
stronger than in 2002. The EU integration has already had the most
powerful influence over the processing industry, wholesale, retail
trade and agriculture.
It has been forecasted that in 2002-2009 investment in agriculture
will amount only to 4.6 billion euros.
Lithuania - "The Baltic Tiger". Lithuania's economy grows the
fastest in comparison with other European countries. Our country
according to the macroeconomic index is a true leader today.
Lithuania is well prepared for joining the EU. With the open economy
and in a geopolitically favourable location Lithuania promises high
return on investments and effective partnership. The present
macroeconomic index and forecasted economic growth rate justify
Lithuania's image as "The Baltic Tiger".
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