Minister calls for case-by-case decisions on foreign-language services

Decisions on whether municipalities should serve residents in a foreign language should be made on a case-by-case basis, Social Security and Labour Minister Inga Ruginienė said, according to LRT.

“Whatever the decision or work organisation, as a citizen and a resident of Vilnius, I would like it to reflect an individual approach and accessibility, rather than simply applying one template and ending the matter,” Ruginienė told reporters on Tuesday.

She was speaking after the Vilnius City Municipality announced in early August that it would no longer accept residents’ requests and complaints submitted in Russian. Information in Russian and other non-EU languages will be provided orally if a particular employee speaks the language.

“Everything depends on the situation. A public message or advertising campaign may be appropriate, but Vilnius Municipality could also have a good message about waste collection,” Ruginienė said.

She had previously said the decision raised questions and that such initiatives encouraged social exclusion. Ruginienė’s party colleague Mindaugas Sinkevičius also questioned the move, saying it was unclear whether it was a political initiative or a communications measure.

Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas said the initiative was part of the municipality’s consistent policy. Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas said the capital should seek a compromise by serving Ukrainians and Belarusians in their languages while expanding opportunities for them to learn Lithuanian.

The municipality has also announced plans to expand Lithuanian-language learning opportunities for foreign-born residents. More than 1,000 people are expected to take part in free courses and online training this year, supported by an additional 300,000 euros in funding. Language clubs are also due to begin operating at different locations in Vilnius in the autumn, while a dedicated online platform for independent Lithuanian-language learning is planned by the end of the year.

Ruginienė says she does not know why border incident was not reported

Ruginienė said she did not know why Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas had not been informed about an incident at the border.

She said the State Border Guard Service, which is subordinate to the Interior Ministry, had a duty to inform the minister. During her time leading the government, she said, she had held several meetings with the service’s leadership and discussed various situations, including in the National Security Commission’s classified room.

“I cannot comment on this specific situation because I do not know the circumstances or when and how the minister should have been informed,” she said.

News portal Lrytas reported, citing sources, that a clash had taken place between border guards and migrants who emerged from a tunnel. One Lithuanian officer was reportedly slapped, while an attempt was allegedly made to drag another officer into Belarus. The officer managed to break free.

Katelynas said that if the reports were confirmed, he would see no possibility for Rustamas Liubajevas to remain head of the State Border Guard Service. At a news conference on Monday afternoon, Katelynas announced that Liubajevas was stepping down. Some opposition politicians have suggested that the decision may have followed heavy pressure from the interior minister. Liubajevas is proposed to be dismissed effective Wednesday.