The shutdown of the 2nd block of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is planned on 31 December 2009. It is not yet clear on when and whether a new NPP would be constructed. According to estimations of the Energy Institute, by 2010 capacity of all power stations operating in the country would reach 2857 MW and meet the national demand.

Straight after the appointment to the post of the minister of foreign affairs, Vygaudas Ušackas visited countries which are in the focus of attention of the Lithuanian foreign policy: he paid an official visit to Georgia,Ukraine and Belarus. Actually, Minsk has become the key point of the visit.

After the parliamentary elections in Lithuania in October 2008, the new majority was formed with the Homeland Union/Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS/LKD) ahead. The Homeland Union (and especially one of its leaders, a deputy to the European Parliament Vytautas Landsbergis) has always supported the Euro-Atlantic solidarity, criticized the Russian foreign and local policy, and consistently supported the Euro-Atlantic integration of its closest neighbors (first of all Ukraine and Georgia).

In December 2007 the partnership agreement between the EU and Russian Federation (RF) expired, which was extended for one more year, since quite serious problems occurred regarding signing of the new agreement. First of all, Poland blocked the negotiations on this issue, being unsatisfied with the fact that Moscow banned the import of Polish meat products to Russia.

The Centre for Geopolitical Studies would like kindly to offer for Your attention an analytical monthly magazine which has a major goal to analyze the most important events and processes of Lithuanian foreign policy. This magazine is called “Lithuanian Foreign Policy Horizons” and mostly focuses on analysis and summary of foreign policy of Lithuania and related countries.

The analytical magazine “Lithuania Foreign Policy Horizons” is published in lithuanian and english languages. The magazine is subscription. A filed in order form please send us back by email info@geopolitika.lt or by fax (85) 250 55 36.

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.