Diplomats

Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has decided to recall some of its diplomats from Minsk, although not as many as demanded by Belarus’ authorities.

The Lithuanian government approved on Wednesday an initiative to pay annuities to diplomats who have spent 25 years or more in the foreign service.

Former Lithuanian diplomat and chairman of the Lithuanian community in France Ricardas Backis has passed away at the age of 85, the Lithuanian Embassy in France said.

Diplomats, business people and politicians arriving for a reception given by the Chinese embassy in Vilnius on Monday evening to mark the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China were met by a group of Tibet supporters.

Lithuanian diplomats are working toward a coordinated EU policy of not recognizing Russian passports issued to residents of Eastern Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said, adding that the country will take unilateral action if the initiative fails.