Giedrius Surplys EN

Lithuania expects to get permits for beef and beef product exports to China in June, Agriculture Minister Giedrius Surplys said on Friday.

Vilnius is hosting on Friday a forum of agriculture ministers from China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries, marking the first-ever meeting within the 16+1 framework in Lithuania.

Giedrius Surplys was on Tuesday sworn in as Lithuania's agriculture minister, becoming the country's first post-independence minister without any previous links to the agriculture sector.

Lithuania's new Agriculture Minister Giedrius Surplys, sworn in on Tuesday, believes the country will be able to negotiate larger direct payments to Lithuanian farmers during negotiations with other EU member states than the European Commission proposes.

Giedrius Surplys, until recently Lithuania's deputy interior minister responsible for regional policies, on Tuesday was sworn in as the country's new agriculture minister.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė will make her decision regarding the appointment of Vice Minister of the Interior Giedrius Surplys, 37, for minister of agriculture shortly, her aid says.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis is nominating Vice Minister of the Interior Giedrius Surplys, 37, for minister of agriculture.

The Lithuanian Cabinet approved on Wednesday principles for a migration system reform that envisages making one body responsible for citizenship matters and visa and identity document issuance.

An immigration boom was recorded in Lithuania this summer, figures published by Statistics Lithuania showed on Thursday. Experts say this is due to the government's decision to facilitate hiring some professionals from abroad and visa-free travels with Ukraine.

The Migration Department is drawing up a register of dwellings asylum-seekers could be housed in if there is a sudden inflow of migrants.