February 2001

Lithuania Master Report

2.1. Historical overview and general legislation

The first regulations in the telecommunications area started after the regaining of independence in the year 1990. The former Ministry of Communications and Informatics (until 1998) provided government regulations and the co-ordination of the development of telecommunications as a state-significant infrastructure. Lithuania was recognised as a leading country in the development of telecommunications infrastructure. After 10 years of independence there were major changes - some of them were negative for IT development. The responsible institution for the informatics and Information Society development in the years 1998 - 2000 was the Department of Information and Informatics of the Ministry of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities. On October, the Lithuanian Government announced the new reorganisation of the IS co-ordinating body again. On November, the Government started the merger of the Ministry of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The current reform can make a great influence for the co-ordination of IS development.

The Law on Telecommunications is currently the regulatory framework in the telecommunications area with due regard to the requirements of the European Union law.

The Law on Telecommunications regulates relations between the telecommunications operators and the users of their services, the management, use and control of radio communication. The Law regulates import, manufacturing, use and maintenance of equipment radiating electromagnetic waves, ensures an effective use of radio frequencies, and sets forth conditions for promoting competition in the telecommunications sector.

This Law did not regulate licensing activities of radio and television program broadcasters, with the exception of the requirement to submit to the Radio and Television Commission the basic terms and conditions of the activity of co-ordinated radio and television stations frequencies (channels) and of telecommunications networks intended for broadcasting radio and television programs (Article 1. Purpose and Application of the Law).

The National Regulatory Authority is under establishment now (Lithuanian Government decrees May 2000). Currently most of telecommunications services, except fixed voice telephony, are liberalised. Three alternative mobile communications operators provide services in Lithuania. A full liberalisation of the whole sector, including voice telephony services, should happen on January 1^st, 2003.

Recently, the most important developments in the telecommunications sector are:

• fast penetration of mobile services;
• digitalisation of telephony network;
• construction of a fibre network around the country and rings in the cities;
• development of new advanced services (ISDN, GSM-banking, GSM-internet);
• fast development of wireless communications;
• development of cable TV infrastructure.

Lithuania Telekomas (telecom) was established as a state-owned enterprise in 1992 after the separation from the Soviet Union telecommunications system. From that date on, the regulatory and operational functions were separated. In 1997, the state enterprise Telekomas was transformed into a joint stock venture. The Ministry of Communications and Informatics fulfilled the regulatory functions until July 1998. The new phase of Lithuania Telekomas started in July 1998 after the privatisation. 60% of the total Telekomas shares were sold to the Consortium Amber Teleholding equally owned by Telia (Sweden) and Sonera (Finland).

Ten percent of the shares owned by the Lithuanian Government and another 5% were sold to Telekomas employees. In June 2000 the Lithuanian Government sold 25% of Telekomas shares.

The strategic goals of Lithuania Telekomas for 2000:

• to attain the 40% level of digital lines (1998 - 21%);
• to reach a density level of 40 lines per one hundred of the population;
• to balance the tariffs in order to align them with costs.

2.2. Umbrella Policies and national IS strategy

The Ministry of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities drafted on October 2000 the last version of the Program on Information Society in Lithuania. The Program announced the state policy, IS developments plans, financing and co-ordination. The Program was presented before IS commissions, experts and scientists. It is expected that the current Government and "Seimas" will approve the Program.

The main policies of the Programme are the adoption of the Council Decision 98/253/EC on a long-term EU program stimulating the creation of the Information Society in Europe, as well as the provision of the EC Decision 96/339/EC in Lithuania.

On May 2000 the Department of Information and Informatics of the Ministry of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities had prepared the "Lithuanian Information Society development strategy". The IS strategy was approved by the high level State Information Policy Advisory Commission. This Program announced the strategic directions of the IS development for a three years period. In order to prepare plans for realisation and co-ordination of finances, the temporary working group was established. 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 2001 the Lithuanian Government foresees a separate paragraph in the budget for financing directly IS development. The money will be allocated for support of the most important IS projects.

2.3. IS Application Areas

The main IS application areas in Lithuania are:

• telecommunications and internet;
• Government and Administration;
• Education and research.

2.3.1 Telecommunications

Telecommunication is the fastest growing sector in Lithuania. The telecommunications market in 1999 represented about 550 MEURO. During the year 1998 July - 1999 July, direct foreign investments grew up to 634%. The total investments at the end of 1999 were more 630 MEURO. Similar investments are foreseen in 2000. Mobile communications operators currently serve about 400 000 users (13% of citizens). At the end of 1999 the number of users was about 300 000, which represented 9% of the Lithuanian citizens. About 80% of the companies and organisations are users of mobile communications.

The main direction of mobile communications developments was the introduction of new services. In June 2000 the mobile communications company Bite GSM (occupies about 40% of Lithuanian mobile communications market) started providing Internet services. The company plans to sell Internet services through companies - distributors.

The largest mobile communications company Omnitel (occupies about 60% of market) continues active in developing electronic banking services. Bank Snoras has signed an agreement with Omnitel for new banking services: iBankas, GSM-Bankas, Elkas, BIS. More information at http://www.snoras.com.

Both companies are developing WAP technology. The technology allows searching 5 of the Lithuanian WWW sites. Experts foresee that this year’s sales will exceed 10.000 WAP telephone sets.

The Mobile communications company NetCom with the network Tele-2 (started in Vilnius area at the end of 1999) is trying to attract users with a simple price structure and free additional services as charge free short messages, possibility to choose number and others. Tele-2 participated in the competition for the third GSM-900 license and was selected as best candidate. In 2000 Tele-2 had plans to invest 30 MEURO for the establishment of the infrastructure in other Lithuanian cities.

Lithuania Telekomas, owner of Comliet with NMT - 450, has signed a 7,5 MEURO agreement with Nokia for equipment needed to develop wireless infrastructure in rural areas. Comliet has now 9000 users and expects to increase the number of users up to 45000. Lithuania Telekomas expects to minimise waiting queues in areas where there are no fixed lines infrastructure.

2.3.2 Internet

Internet is the second in terms of growth rate in the sector. Experts foresee a 2-2,5 times growth of users in 2000 year. At the end of 2000, about 8% of citizens and about 70% of businessmen are going to be accessing the Internet. The total international Internet bandwidth is more 50 Mbps. About 5,4% of citizens are accessing Internet from working places in companies. Five big Internet providers (more 20 secondary) with separate links to Internet operate in Lithuania

2.3.3 Science and Education

In 2000 a few IS projects started in the Science and Education sector. The Integration of the Lithuanian Academic and Research Computer Network LITNET in the European Academic Network TEN 155 (LITNET–GEANT) Programme for the years 2001-2004 was adopted by the Lithuanian Government. Other project is the Lithuanian Schools Computerisation Project, initiated by the Lithuanian President and supported by the Government and private companies. Lithuania Telekomas announced about 1,6 MEUR (6 MLt) support to this Project in form of discounts and installation of communication lines for schools. The largest mobile communication company Omnitel promised 2,2 MEUR (8 MLt) for this Project too. The Lithuanian Government invested in the year 2000 in the renovation of computers and other equipment in Universities and modernisation of research equipment in state research institutes. Great part of this investment was used in the development of research infrastructures, computer networks and information systems. The Integral System of the Lithuanian Libraries project is under development.

2.4. Government and Administration

The Governmental Institutions Computer Network VIKT is the main infrastructure for IS applications in State and Local Administrations. Under development are: - State Administration Information System, Regional and Local Authorities Information Systems. The Minister of Administration Reforms and Local Authorities signed the order No. 7 "Concerning the Procedure for Legalising the State and Municipal Information Systems" on 25 January 1999. More information can be found at http://www.iid.lt and http://www.vikt.lt.

One of the constituent parts of creating the information society is the implementation and development of the administration information system of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. Seeking to create the integral system of the state records, the classificatory and registers which are necessary to form a uniform state information system, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania 1997 adopted the following Resolutions on the 21^st July:

• Resolution No. 726 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania "On Using Data of the State Registers and Confirming the Regulations of the List of the State Registers";
• Resolution No. 792 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania "Concerning Partial Amendment to Resolution No. 1418 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania "On Establishing, Designing, Reorganising and Using the State Registers".

In 1999, a State Register Service (SRS) at the Department of Information and Informatics (Ministry of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities) was established. SRS is charged with the consolidation of the integral system of state registers and with the provision of information about them (in line with the Directives 98/253/EC, 96/339/EC and Council Resolution 399Y0128(01).

The procedure for the exchange of information between the state registers and state information systems, the provision and use of the data, methodological documents of preparing projects of State registers were approved by the Order No. 148 of the Minister of Communications and Informatics on the 11^th November 1997.

2.5. Telecommunications and Internet

The main public telecommunication operator - the incumbent - is Lithuania Telekomas (LT) with monopoly until 2002/12/31 for fixed local lines and domestic long distance services. The owners of Telekomas are Amber Teleholding (Sweden and Finland) with 60% shares, the Lithuanian Government with 10% and the employees with 5% of the shares. On June 2000 the Lithuanian Government sold 25% of the shares of Lithuania Telekomas and at present only owns 10% of Telekomas shares. There is no available information about the new shareholders of Lithuania Telekomas. Lithuania Telekomas (LT) was one of major investors in Lithuania in 1999. 500 M. Lt (125 MEURO) were invested in the construction of new lines and digitalisation and establishment of a billing system, construction of a fibre network around the country. The digitalisation of the telephone network will serve as a basis for better developed services, e.g. ISDN. LT had plans for the implementation of IP telephony. On December Lithuania Telekomas announced about 30% higher prices for local calls and fixed a monthly price for dial-up Internet in 2001.

2.5.1 Mobile communications

Five mobile communications operators are operating in Lithuania:

• Omnitel - private Consortium Amber Teleholding and USA joint venture is leader in mobile communications and one of main Internet service providers (http://www.omnitel.lt),
• Bite-GSM - private company, owner TeleDenmark, Denmark (http://www.bite.lt)
• Tele 2 - private company, owner NetCom, Sweden
• Comliet - NMT network, owner of Lithuania Telekomas (http://www.comliet.lt)
• Nelte - private Lithuanian Company, provider of paging services

The new mobile communications operator Tele-2 Network, started on the 14^th December 1999 in the Vilnius area. The owner of this network is NetCom, Sweden. Levi & Kuto has licence for the DSC 1800 network and had plans to obtain a licence for GSM 900, earlier owned by Lithuania Telekomas. In November Tele-2 was selected as the best candidate for the third GSM-900. Tele-2 network started with DSC 1800 network in Vilnius at the end of 1999. In 2000 Tele-2 started in other main cities and has plans to take up at least 10% of the mobile communication market in near future.

There was a persistent competition in Lithuania between the two other GSM operators Omnitel and Bite GSM in 1999 and then between the three in 2000. The prices of the services of operators are quite similar. Omnitel and Bite GSM operators presented new kinds of services in 1999-2000. The largest mobile communications companies Omnitel and Bite GSM are developing mobile data communications and WAP technology based service. Both companies are Internet service providers

Omnitel offered an integrated mobile, Internet and computer services, named "Mozaika". More information can be found at http://www.omnitel.lt. Bite GSM offered two new services named "Namu zona" (Home area) and "GSM-Pro". The "Namu zona" service allows the cheapest calls for users in a registered small area (home), with few square km areas.

2.6. Electronic commerce

The Lithuanian Government supports the development of E-business. In 2000 a special working group was established to prepare proposals for the Government and for the promotion and support of E-business. The head of this group was Mr Edmundas Zvirblis, vice-minister of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities. More information is available at http://www.iid.lt. The use and development of E-commerce in Lithuania is in the initial phase. On July 2000 the Lithuanian "Seimas" adopted the Law on the Electronic Signature. According to the estimation of the Department of Information and Informatics, the infrastructure for certification, amendments to existing laws and regulations will be ready in the middle of 2001. Lithuanian banks and mobile communication companies with GSM authorisation possibilities are starting e-business. A few companies are developing e-shopping sites and are ready to enter this market in the near future. The Law on Electronic Commerce is under preparation.

A special portal http://www.infocom.lt was established under the support of PHARE and the Association Infobalt for the promotion and support of e-business in Lithuania.

2.7. Education and Research

The main infrastructure for IS applications in research and education sector is the Lithuanian Academic and Research Computer Network LITNET. Information systems for studies, education and scientific research operate in all Universities and main Research Institutes. Remarkable state investments were planned for the renewing of infrastructure and development of advanced Information Technologies in Universities and State institutes in the years 1998-2001.

The development of distance education in Lithuania, under the support of the State Science and Studies Fund and State investments, is co-ordinated by Kaunas University of Technology, KTU (http://www.ktu.lt). The projects aims:

• to establish a Central teaching studio at KTU, to establish 4 distance regional centres - classes in Kaunas, Vilnius, Klaipeda, Siauliai, Panevezys,
• at carrying out the methodical research of the study organisation and courses preparation in the synchronous (real-time-based) distance education system, investigating a possibility to expand the distance education courses and videoconferences qualities through new teaching methods.

The new government announced the main principles in Science and Education areas:

• financial reform and modernisation of Science and Education;
• establishment of infrastructures for Information Society and computerisation of Lithuanian schools.

2.8. Transport

The Ministry of Transport and Communications (http://www.transport.lt) is responsible for the implementation of the State policy in the Transport sector. Four transportation sectors are under development:

• railways infrastructure;
• roads infrastructure;
• air communications;
• water transport.

The State Program for the years 1999-2000 declared the restructuring and partial privatisation in all sectors. Therefore, major changes and the modernisation of transport system according to EU standards are foreseen in the near future. More 55 investment projects (more 1800MEURO) are foreseen until 2005. 43 projects are related with the development of a Transeuropean Communications Network.

In the air communication sector, according to the demands of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the baggage register and check system has been restructured. A complex of modern communications, navigation and surveillance facilities has been introduced.

The reconstruction and modernisation of Klaipeda seaport is going under ES PHARE and ERB support.

The main Lithuanian roads – Via Baltica E67 (Tallinn - Riga - Kaunas - Warsaw) and E271 (Klaipeda - Kaunas - Vilnius - Minsk - Gomel) are under development.

The Lithuanian Roads for the Information System are under development. All transport sectors are operating with www-based information systems with schedules, prices and other information.

2.9. Health Care

The background for the Lithuanian Health care is the Lithuanian Health Program adopted by the Lithuanian Parliament on July 1998. The Ministry of Health carries out the functions of State Administration in the sphere of health care commissioned to it laws and other acts, as well as implements the state policy in that sphere. The restructuring of health care and implementation of National Health Concept are currently going on. The Health Care Information System is under development. All information about more than 10 programs and projects, activities and health statistics can be found at http://www.sam.lt.

Other important player for the implementation of advanced IT technology in this sector is the Open Society Foundation in Lithuania (OSF). The OSF supports the development, through the Medical Internet Program, of the medical information network, Information Systems and portals, development of national databases, provision of conditions for hospitals, medical libraries and other medical establishments that provide access to the Internet and participates in distance learning and medical education projects.

2.10. Labour

The Ministry of Social Security and Labour (http://www.socmin.lt) is responsible for implementing social security and labour policies. An advanced system guaranteeing and protecting human social rights is functioning in the country. However, taking into account the changes in economic and social conditions, the system is improving constantly and modern IT contributes to the dissemination of the newest information.

The Lithuanian Labour Exchange Information System, Labour Exchanges, and training centres in the main cities were created under PHARE’s support. A few private companies offer web based information guides for specialists and companies. See http://www.brainpower.lt.

2.11. Competition

The IS applications in this sector are in the initial phase. The Law on Competition (http://www.lrs.lt) adopted in "Seimas" in 1999 is compatible with the main competition principles that are applied in the EU member states and this would be considered as one of the prerogatives favouring integration into the common European market. On July 1999, the Government approved the Regulations of the Competition Council. On the 18^th October, the President appointed the Chairman and four members of the Competition Council. The main functions of the state Competition and Consumer Protection office are monitoring the enforcement of the Law on Competition regarding the abuse of a dominant position, agreement restricting or hindering competition, competition restricting actions, concentration of market structures and consumer protection.

2.12. Access for all

At least 64 kbps leased lines or wireless 2 Mbps Internet access possibilities (Internet classes) exist in the largest Lithuanian libraries, which participate in the Lithuanian Libraries Information System Project. Other access possibilities exist in all municipalities and in about 10% of the Lithuanian schools. Private companies are establishing Internet cafes with a few computers and printers in the largest cities. The average payment for one-hour use in Internet cafe is about 2 EUR.

Access to the information networks regulates:

• The Law on State Registers, adopted on the 13th August 1996, regulates the creation and functioning of the system of registers of the integral state information system. This Law regulates the collection and storage of data, user rights and duties for presentation of information. Citizens have the right to know the personal information stored in the state information system (registers) and to check it.
• The Law on Mass Media regulates the provision of information to the public.

2.13. Copyright and intellectual property rights

Pursuant to the Law on Copyright and Related Rights (in force from the 9^th June 1999 on), a Council of Copyright and Related Rights was established on the 12^th January 2000. It consists of representatives from various producer associations. This Council will serve as a consultative and expertise body to the Ministry of Culture (which by the Government’s resolution of 19^th November 1999 is a main co-ordinating and implementing institution in the area of intellectual property rights).

The Law on the Legal Protection of Computer Programs and Databases, adopted on the 30^th January 1996, creates the legal basis enabling all the authors and co-authors of a program or a database to protect copyright of their production.

2.14. Public access to data

More 40 State Information Systems and more 40 State Registers are accessible on the Governmental Institutions Computer Network VIKT. The list of all IS and State Registers can be found at http://www.iid.lt. In 1999, the State Register Service (SRS) of the Department of Information and Informatics (Ministry of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities) was established. SRS is charged with the consolidation of the integral system of state registers and with the provision of information about them (in line with EC Directives)

In the middle of 2000 the Lithuanian Government, following the European Commission e-Europe initiative, announced about the "e-vyriausybe" (e-government) project. Prime Minister Mr A.Kubilius issued the Act No 164 on the 16^th August for the establishment of a working group to prepare the conception of "e-vyriausybe", easy and fast access to Government Information sources. The leader of the "e-vyriausybe" working group was Mr Jonas Milerius - head of "Seimas" Information Technologies Department. More information is available at http://www.lrs.lt. On October 2000 the group presented the implementation plan and Government services accessible via Internet. The new Government, formed on November 2000, announced further developments in the e-government project.

2.15. Privacy, data protection, consumer protection

The Law on Legal Protection of Personal Data, adopted on the 11^th June 1996, regulates the legal protection of personal data stored in information systems. On March 12^th 1998 the Law No VIII-662, partly amending and supplementing the Law on Legal Protection of Personal Data, was adopted. In 1999 the State Data Protection Inspectorate drafted amendments to the Law on Legal Protection of Personal Data (fully harmonised with the Directive 95/46/EC) and submitted them to the Government. The "Seimas" adopted the Amendments to the Law 17 July 2000. The Law specifies the independent status of the State Data Protection Inspectorate. The Inspectorate carried out 10 inspections (seven by correspondence) about the processing of personal data in both public and private sectors. It registered 29 new entities processing personal data and provided over 100 consultations on the processing of personal data.

The fight against software piracy started in the second half of 1999 and continued in 2000. The initiators of this action were the Association Infobalt and BSA (Business Software Alliance) local representative. In 2000 a part of the IT companies were inspected in co-operation with the police. According with newspapers’ information, more 30 court-cases were investigated. In a few cases the possible fines are over 100 KEUR (450 KLt).

2.16. Security

On November 1999, the Ministry of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities drafted a Law on Electronic Signature (in line with the EU requirements) which was approved by the Government in May 2000. The Law legalised the electronic document and electronic mail, as well as created the preconditions for the use of electronic documents, which have a legal force. The infrastructure for certification, amendments to the existing laws and regulations, as well as the Law on Electronic Commerce, are expected in 2001.

In 2000 the State Enterprise Infostruktūra won an open competition on a project of institutional building in this area. This company has already drafted regulations of supervision authority of electronic signature and provider of services on electronic signature certification services.

2.17. Freedom of expression and information as far as the distribution via electronic networks is concerned

On December 1999 "Seimas" adopted a new wording of Public Information Law more strictly regulating freedom of expression. The main change was excluding the upper fine limit for moral damages of persons. There are no currently methods, rules for calculation of fines and courts practice for moral damages. The President didn't sign this law and returned it for revision to "Seimas". During the second "Seimas" voting in the middle of 2000, the Law did not receive the needed votes’ majority.

Legal acts on the distribution of illegal information containing harmful contents in a public computer network are under development and are expected in 2001.

3.1. Ministries

The Ministry of Communications and Informatics (until 1998) provided government regulations and co-ordinated the development of telecommunications. In 1998 the Lithuanian Government reorganised the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, splitting it up into a Department of Information and Informatics (DII), that operates under the Ministry of Public Administration reforms and Local Authorities, and a Department of Telecommunications that is part of the Ministry of Transport. In 1998 - 2000 the responsible institution for the informatics and Information Society development was the Department of Information and Informatics. The main mission of the Department was the co-ordination of IT projects that are important to the State, development strategies and implementing them through various programs. More information can be obtained at http://www.iid.lt.

On October 2000 the Lithuanian Government announced about the new restructuring of Ministries. The Ministry of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities will merge with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

3.2. National regulatory Authority

The basic law governing the telecommunications in Lithuania is the Law on Telecommunications (http://www.lrs.lt) that entered into force on the 1^st August 1998. Department of Communications under Ministry of Transport (http://www.transp.lt) was temporarily authorised by Government Decree to provide NRA function prescribed in the Law until the NRA will be established. Now the National Regulatory Agency (NRA), on the base of the State Radio Frequency service (SRFS), is under establishment (Government Decree in May 2000). NRA must be independent from operators and from Ministries. The head of state, the Lithuanian President will appoint the Director/Members of NRA for a 5-year period. The State Radio Frequency service (SRFS) was the executive part of the Radio Administration of Lithuania. It has the status of an independent regulatory enterprise, founded and supervised by the Ministry of Transport. SRFS does not receive any governmental financing, but recovers its expenses from the fees for all kinds of Radio Station Licenses. The wide range of SRFS responsibilities includes the direct involvement at all levels of sophisticated radio spectrum management; spectrum monitoring; telecom equipment testing and type approval; control over the importation, installation and operation of radio stations, and many others. More detail about SRFS service, procedures of licensing and testing, fees and registration of wireless equipment can be obtained at http://www.radio.lt.

3.3. Office for the protection of economic competition

The legal basis for the economic competition is the Law on Competition adopted by "Seimas" on the 23^rd March 1999. According to the Law the Lithuanian Competition Council is responsible for the protection of economic competition. On the 18th October 1999, V.Adamkus, President of Lithuania, signed the Decree No 641 "On Competition Council". Pursuant to the Article No.1 of the Law of Competition and following the nomination by the Government, the President designated Rimantas Antanas Stanikunas as the chairman of the Competition Council. In 2000, the Council investigated a few cases related to monopolies in communications and oil prices. The Council investigated Lithuania Telekomas’ case on setting-up passive filters on analogous lines. The filters were removed in the second half of 2000.

3.4. Consultative councils

The Lithuanian high level (inter-ministerial) State Information Policy Development Advisory Commission was formed by Government decree on March 1999. The head of the Commission is vice-minister and head of the Department of Information and Informatics at the Ministry of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities. The Commission was formed on the level of vice-ministers and the main goals of the Commission are:

• to prepare plans for the development of IS, state modernisation in terms of the use of new information technologies and tools in all state activities areas;
• to co-ordinate inter-institutional projects;
• to co-ordinate and control, adapted by the Government, development of IS, and state modernisation;
• to inform the Government on the realisation of state-important projects.

The Permanent Information Society Commission as 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 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.

3.5. Bodies in charge of RTD policy

The 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

The Science Council of Lithuania is the other important body for 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 Council:

• supports the development of fundamental science and related research;
• analyses if the budget funds for science and studies are used properly;
• presents information on the state of science and studies and the use of budget funds to the Lithuanian public;
• maintains the qualification of Lithuanian scientists and the prestige of science in Lithuania;
• evaluates studies programs, textbooks,
• determines the qualification requirements for higher schools and research institutes, for scientific degrees and academic (scientific) titles.

More information is available at http://www.lmt.lt

The Department of Science and Education of the Ministry of Education and Science provides State policy in the science and education area. The Department controls the implementation of laws, legal acts and decrees of the Ministry in Science institutes, Universities and other institutions. The head of the Department is Mr. Albertas Zalys, Vice-Minister of Education and Science. More information is available at http://www.mokslas.lt

3.6. Organisations in charge of the promotion of the IS

The new elected Lithuanian "Seimas" created the new Commission on Development of Information Society in Lithuania at the end of November 2000. The Commission consists of 10 members of "Seimas", representing all Parties. The head of this Commission is the member of "Seimas" Mr. Gintautas Babravicius. Currently there is no available information about activities and working plans of this Commission. The Association INFOBALT and the Lithuanian Computer Society are the main public organisations, which provide promotion of IS in Lithuania.

The Association INFOBALT was founded in July 1994 to facilitate Lithuania's transition to market economy while protecting the interests of the country's IT and telecommunications companies. Currently the Association includes 133 member companies. These companies cover at least 85% of the Lithuanian computing, information systems and office equipment market.

Strategic tasks of the Association INFOBALT:

• To unify Lithuanian ICT companies and represent them in Lithuania and abroad
• To co-operate with the governmental and public structure in Lithuania and abroad facilitating ICT market growth as the priority of the overall country economical growth.
• To integrate with the other Baltic states and to organise joint projects
• Support the creation of Information Society projects in Lithuania and having close relations with all structures responsible for Information Society development
• Organise the annual trade fair INFOBALT and represent Lithuania in other trade fairs and conferences in foreign countries
• Research ICT and office equipment markets and analyse development tendencies in all ICT areas in Lithuania.

Lithuanian Computer Society (the abbreviation, used further in the text, is LIKS) is a voluntary and independently acting social association of computer and software users, specialists and amateurs in informatics and computer science.

LIKS acts according to the Constitution of the Lithuanian Republic, to the Law of social organisations and other laws of the Republic, to the decisions of the Lithuanian Government; LIKS activity is based on the Statutes.

LIKS aims at:

• stimulating the progress of computerisation and development of informatics as a perspective and important modern science and industry branch in Lithuania;
• forming the opinion of the society and the Government on questions of the use and management of the state's information resources and information technologies;
• taking care of the preparation and improvement of the professional skills of specialists and users in computers and informatics; taking care of teaching informatics and computers in the general education schools;
• stimulating and supporting professional contacts and the exchange of the urgent problem domain information, developing internal and international contacts and relationships;
• raising professional ethics of LIKS members, helping them in defending their author's rights, representing professional and author's interests of Lithuanian computer specialists both in Lithuania and abroad.

The European Council in Helsinki on the 10^th and 11^th December 1999 has invited the six new candidate countries: Romania, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Malta to begin accession negotiations. The Lithuanian Government has adopted measures to complete the process of administrative preparation for membership negotiations and the drafting of negotiating positions with the view of starting negotiations on February 2000. On 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. 28 Working groups were established to prepare the negotiations positions papers. During 1999-2000 the Lithuanian Government approved papers for 16 negotiating positions. More information is available at http://www.urm.lt/EU-negotiations/.

The draft Law on Standardisation was submitted to the "Seimas" for adoption on the 1^st July 1999. On the11th April 2000 the Lithuanian "Seimas" adopted the Law. The Law provides all the essential elements of standardisation and establishes the basic objectives and principles of national standardisation, the procedure for the drafting and application of the Lithuanian standards and technical regulations. The Law regulates the establishment of the Lithuanian Standardisation Association and its activities, sources of financing national standardisation. The full text of the Law is available at http://www.lsd.lt.