The main event of year was the elections of Lithuanian "Seimas" (for a term of four years) in October 2000. The "Seimas" (Parliament) of the Republic of Lithuania is the highest representative and legislative authority. Mr. Arturas Paulauskas was elected as the Chairman of "Seimas" at the first sitting of the "Seimas". The main powers of "Seimas" are:

• consider, adopt and issue laws, make amendments to the Constitution;
• approve or disapprove of the candidature of the Prime Minister nominated by the President of the Republic;
• discuss and approve the programme of the Government and supervise its policy;
• approve the State Budget, supervise its implementation and establish state taxes;
• announce presidential elections, municipal elections;
• ratify international treaties, discuss other important issues of foreign policy.

The Parliament elects committees from its members to explore drafts for legislation and to clarify other issues in accordance with the Constitution. Parliamentary commissions (standing and ad hoc) are formed to carry out short-term or limited assignments.

The Lithuanian Constitution establishes the system of the balance of powers of the President of the Republic and the "Seimas". The laws enacted by the "Seimas" are enforced after the signing and official promulgation thereof by the President of the Republic, unless a later date of enforcement is established in laws. The President of the Republic has the right of legislative initiative. Apart from the President, this right is vested in the members of the "Seimas", the Government and the voters, provided that the legislative proposal of the voters is signed by 50 thousand voters. Upon the approval of the "Seimas", the President of the Republic appoints and dismisses the Prime Minister, charges him or her to form the Government and approves its composition. Upon recommendation of the Prime Minister, the President appoints and dismisses ministers. Ministers of the Republic of Lithuania are accountable to the "Seimas", the President of the Republic and directly subordinate to the Prime Minister. The President accepts the resignation of the Government.

The Lithuanian President is the head of the State and is elected by the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot for a term of five years. Mr.Valdas Adamkus was elected President of the Republic of Lithuania on 4^th January 1998. During the years 1999-2000, the Lithuanian President initiated a few actions to support the development of IS, e-business, Internet and computerisation of Lithuanian schools.

1.1 Commissions of the "Seimas" and the President Office

Committee on Education, Science and Culture of the Lithuanian "Seimas" is the highest body in charge of RTD policy in Lithuania. The head of the Committee is Mr. Rolandas Povilionis, rector of Vilnius University and member of "Seimas". The trends of activities of the Committee on Education, Science and Culture are:

• to prepare and consider drafts of laws, directives and other documents which regulates education, science, culture and provision of information, and to present proposals relative thereto;
• to consider and present conclusions on draft documents, referred to the committee, which are related to education, science, culture and provision of information, as well as other projects, ascertaining whether they are in conformity with the State policy on these issues;
• to prepare proposals and recommendations for the Government and local authorities concerning education, science, culture and provision of information;
• to provide support to persons, organisations and institutions engaged in cultural activities.
• to exercise parliamentary control of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Culture, and other cultural institutions. More information is available at http://www.lrs.lt

In November 2000 the new elected Lithuanian "Seimas" created the new Commission on Development of Information Society in Lithuania. The Commission consists of 10 members of "Seimas", representing all Parties. The head of this Commission is member of "Seimas" Mr. Gintautas Babravicius. More information is available at http://www.lrs.lt

The Advisory IS development Commission was established at the President Office. The members of this Commission are Lithuanian scientists, experts, and representatives of Government and President office. The head of the Commission is President Advisor Mr. Regimantas Gaska. The IS development problems, current status and trends of development and future actions are discussed during regular meetings.

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania is the executive and the supreme body of the state administration. The coalition of two Parties - Liberals and Social Liberals formed the new Government in November 2000. The Lithuanian "Seimas" confirmed the leader of Liberals Mr Rolandas Paksas in the position of Prime Minister. In December, the Lithuanian "Seimas" adopted the State Development Programme for the years 2000 - 2004 and the budget for the year 2001. The State Development Programme foresees maximum liberalisation of economy, destroying of bureaucratic barriers, fostering of IS development, modernisation of science and education, continuation of integration policy into EU and NATO. One of the strategic Programme directions is the development of science, education, language and culture in Information Society, computerisation of Lithuanian schools and the connection of Lithuanian schools to the single Educational Network until 2003. In the year 2001, the Lithuanian Government foresees for the first time that there will be a separate paragraph in the budget for financing directly IS development.

The Ministry of Education and Science is responsible for providing state policy in education, studies, research and development activities in Lithuania. The Ministry is involved in various international programs and projects, related to IS and IT development. The Ministry finances universities, research institutes and centres, various programs including the Lithuanian Academic and Research Computer Network LITNET project. The Minister is Algirdas Monkevicius, and the Vice-minister is Albertas Zalys, which is the head of the Science and Studies Department. The Department directly co-ordinates the development of science, studies and research activities in Lithuania.

The Lithuanian Government merged the Ministry of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities with the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the end of 2000. Mr. Vytautas Markevicius is the Minister of Internal Affairs. The reform is very important for IS development, as the Department of Information and Informatics under the Ministry of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities was one of the IS development co-ordinating bodies. The main mission of the Department was the co-ordination of IT projects that are of importance to the State, development strategies and its implementation through various programs. New appointments and changes in the Department of Information and Informatics are foreseen in January 2001.

The Ministry of Economy (Minister Eugenijus Maldeikis) has an important role for the development of Information Society in Lithuania. The Ministry is responsible for the state investment policy, privatisation of state property, regional and national development, analysis of national economy, industry and business activity, co-ordination of the integration EU, foreign investments and other important affairs relating to economics strategy.

The Ministry of Finances (Minister Jonas Lionginas) provides financing, according to the Law on the Budget, of all state sectors including the financing of science and education and the development of Information Society. The Ministry controls the implementation of the laws of Republic of Lithuania in banking, taxes, foreign investments and other sectors.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications is in charge of telecommunications and the transport system in Lithuania. Mr. Gintaras Striaukas is the Minister. Mr. Jonas Usas is head of the Communications Department.

In 2000 Lithuania started negotiations for the EU accession. On the 23^rd December 1999, the Government adopted a Resolution on the establishment of the Delegation for the EU Accession Negotiations. The main functions of the Delegation are to conduct EU membership negotiations and facilitate preparation of negotiating positions. On the 20^th January 2000, following the nomination by the Government, the President of Lithuania appointed the deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Vygaudas Ušackas to the position of Lithuania’s chief negotiator with the EU. At the end of 2000 the Lithuanian Government adopted 29 negotiating positions including education and training, research and technological development, small and medium size enterprises, culture and audio-visual policy, telecommunications and information technology. In December 2000 the Lithuanian President appointed Mr. Petras Austrevicius (Secretary of former Government) to the position of chief negotiator.

The Science Council of Lithuania is the most important body co-ordinating RTD. The Science Council of Lithuania orientates the system of science and studies towards the needs of the Lithuanian national economy, culture, education, public health and ecology. The Lithuanian science community elects 15 members, other 9 are appointed by the Lithuanian "Seimas". The Chairman of the Council is Kestutis Makariunas.

The Lithuanian high level (inter-ministerial) State Information Policy Development Advisory Commission was formed by Government decree in March 1999. The members of Commission are vice-ministers of all Lithuanian ministries. The main tasks of this Commission are the co-ordination of IT projects financed by the State in various ministries, IS development strategies and various programs The head of the Commission was the vice-minister R.Gudauskas who was also the Head of the Department of Information and Informatics.

The Permanent Information Society Commission as a top-level Advisory body was established by Government Decree Nº 635 in 1998/05/25. The main functions of the Commission are the investigation of Information Society development problems and the preparation of proposals for its solutions. The Commission members are representatives of the President Office, Government, "Seimas" (Parliament), experts and key persons working in Information Society. The Chairman of the Commission is Mr. Laimutis Telksnys.

Kaunas University of Technology, Vilnius University, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vytautas Magnus University are organising various conferences, seminars and workshops related to Information Society and Information Technologies. The Computer Science, Informatics and Communications Faculties of Kaunas - University of Technology are specially active. All universities carried out a lot of IS related local and international R&D projects.

Contact persons:

• Rector Ramutis Bancevicius, Kaunas University of Technology;
• Rector Rolandas Pavilionis, Vilnius University;
• Rector Edmundas K. Zavadskas, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.
• Rector Vytautas Kaminskas, Vytautas Magnus University.

The Institute of Mathematics and Informatics carried out scientific activities in mathematics and R&D activities in Informatics on the following topics: computer networks, data analysis, optimisation, signal processing and software engineering. The specialists of the Institute are members of various IS development co-ordinating commissions and groups. IMI is the ESIS II Project local contractor.

Contact person: Director Mifodijus Sapagovas.

ESIS II local contact: Project Manager Petras Sulcas

Institute of Information Technology is contractor and co-ordinator of various IT and IS projects in state and private enterprises. Director Saulius Sidaras.

State Enterprise Infostruktura is the operator of Governmental Institutions Computer Network VIKT. VIKT provides access to State Information systems and is an important infrastructure for Information Systems of Local Authorities and Municipalities. Infostruktura is one of largest Internet provider.

Director Evaldas Paulauskas.

State Enterprise Sintagma is participant of some important IS projects, such as the Public Administration Information System, Schools Computerisation and other projects.

Director Bronius Bieliauskas.

The Lithuanian Chamber of Commerce and Crafts was created in 1992. Today the Lithuanian Chambers are the only business self governing organisations, operating under the Law on Chambers on Commerce and Crafts. The Lithuanian Chamber is a member of the Association of European Chambers and other international organisations. The Lithuanian Chambers are operating in all largest cities. The President of the Lithuanian Chambers Association is Mr. Simas Petrikis.

The Lithuanian Computer Society (http://www.liks.lt) and Infobalt, Association of the largest IT companies (http://www.infobalt.lt) are the most active in promoting Information Society, forming of state IS policy and public opinion in Lithuania. The Lithuanian Computer Society and the Infobalt association are initiators of many local and international conferences, meetings and discussions.

The Chairman of the Lithuanian Computer Society is Mr. Alfredas Otas. The President of Infobalt is Mr. Robertas Tamulevicius.

The Lithuanian Science Foundation, State organisation (head Vladislavas Guoga) supports science and IS related programs and projects.

The Lithuanian Open Society (Soros) Foundation supports various programs including IS projects in Lithuania. Managing Director Diana Vilyte.

5.1 Telecommunications sector

Lietuvos Telekomas is a private company (state owned 10% shares only). The company has the monopoly for wired voice communications in Lithuania until 31 12 2002 and is the largest Internet provider. General Director and President of Lietuvos Telekomas is Pentii Matii Tapio Paarma (Finland, Sonera).

Omnitel is the largest Lithuanian mobile communications’ company and one of the largest Internet provider. President Viktoras G. Gruodis.

Bite GSM is the second mobile communications’ company (Teledenmark owns 100% shares) and Internet provider. President Ole Jacob Thorsen.

Tele 2 is the third mobile communication company that started in 1999. The owner of Tele 2 is NetCom, Sweden. General Director Carl-Magnus Stenberg.

5.2 Potential alternative infrastructure providers

• Lietuvos Energija (Lithuanian Power company). Director Arunas Kesarauskas.
• The state enterprise Lietuvos gelezinkelis (Lithuanian Railways). Director Jonas Birziskis.
• UAB LEMA. Director Jonas Kamarauskas.

5.3 Largest IT companies

• UAB ALNA. General Director Tomas MILAKNIUS.
• UAB Baltic Amadeus. General Director Viktoras Tonkich.
• UAB SONEX. President Arunas Bartusevicius.

• Lithuanian Prime Minister office, http://www.lrvk.lt
• Lithuanian "Seimas" (Parliament), http://www.lrs.lt
• European Committee under the Government, http://www.euro.lt
• Department of Information and Informatics, http://www.iid.lt
• Ministry of Economy, http://www.ekm.lt
• Association Infobalt, http://www.infobalt.lt
• Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, http://www.urm.lt
• Lithuanian Computer Society, http://www.liks.lt
• Lietuvos Telekomas, http://www.telecom.lt
• Department of Science and Studies, http://www.mokslas.lt.