Lithuania urges respect for Russian speakers amid language debate
According to the Baltic News Service (BNS), Dainius Babilas, the department's director, emphasized that Russian is spoken by both recent arrivals and long-standing Russian minorities, including Old Believers. He warned against letting efforts to promote the national language fuel division or hatred.
While supporting Lithuanian language learning for long-term residents, Babilas called on public figures and media to communicate responsibly.
Lithuania's Constitution and minority laws protect language and cultural rights. Recent legal amendments require service providers to speak basic Lithuanian by 2026, though Ukrainian refugees are temporarily exempt. The Education Ministry noted challenges in language instruction for foreigners.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
a few seconds ago
- The Star
King's historic state visit to Russia underscores deepening bilateral ties, says Ambassador
MOSCOW: The state visit by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, to Russia from Aug 5-10 has been described as the highlight of the diplomatic ties between the two countries, said Malaysia's Ambassador to Russia Datuk Cheong Loon Lai. He said the visit is the highest-level ever made and the first by a Malaysian head of state to Russia since diplomatic relations were established in April 1967. "His Majesty's state visit, at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, is a recognition of the five decades of diplomatic ties with Malaysia, which was among the earliest Asean countries to establish ties with the then Soviet Union. "This visit also reflects the crucial role of the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the context of international relations,' he told Bernama here on Sunday (Aug 1) in conjunction with Sultan Ibrahim's state visit. Cheong said the visit will begin in Moscow, where His Majesty is scheduled to hold an official meeting with Putin at the Grand Kremlin Palace. Both leaders are expected to discuss potential cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, higher education, technology and innovation, people-to-people ties, digital transformation, agriculture and food security, as well as regional and international issues. "This highest-level visit will certainly have a high impact in increasing the momentum and positive trend of bilateral relations between Malaysia and Russia. "It sends the message that Malaysia is serious and committed to efforts to strengthen and improve bilateral relations with Russia in all fields, particularly strategic cooperation and people-to-people ties,' he said. Sultan Ibrahim is scheduled to arrive in Moscow on Tuesday (Aug 5) and will be accorded a state welcome ceremony at the Kremlin on Wednesday (Aug 6), before holding an official meeting with Putin and attending a state banquet hosted by the Russian President. His Majesty is also scheduled to receive an audience from the Russian Automotive Technology Development Company as well as the Tochka Kipeniya Technology and Innovation Hub. On Friday (Aug 8), Sultan Ibrahim will travel to Kazan, the fifth largest city in Russia, to receive an audience from the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, at the Kazan Kremlin. Both parties are expected to discuss potential collaboration in the trade, investment, halal industry sectors and agricultural technology. His Majesty is also scheduled to attend a reception ceremony hosted by Minnikhanov and visit the Kazan Helicopter Plant to observe the manufacturing operations of civilian, defence and rescue helicopters. Russia is currently Malaysia's ninth-largest trading partner among European countries and 28th globally, with bilateral trade valued at RM11.46bil (US$2.48bil) in 2024. For the period January to June 2025, Malaysia-Russia trade volume was recorded at RM4.13bil (US$945.7mil). — Bernama
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
King's state visit to Russia underscores deepening bilateral ties
MOSCOW: The state visit by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, to Russia from Aug 5-10 has been described as the highlight of the diplomatic ties between the two countries, said Malaysia's ambassador to Russia, Datuk Cheong Loon Lai. He said the visit is the highest-level ever made and the first by a Malaysian Head of State to Russia since diplomatic relations were established in April 1967. "His Majesty's state visit, at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, is a recognition of the five decades of diplomatic ties with Malaysia, which was among the earliest Asean countries to establish ties with the then Soviet Union. "This visit also reflects the crucial role of the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the context of international relations," he told Bernama here today in conjunction with Sultan Ibrahim's state visit. Cheong said the visit will begin in Moscow, where His Majesty is scheduled to hold an official meeting with Putin at the Grand Kremlin Palace. Both leaders are expected to discuss potential cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, higher education, technology and innovation, people-to-people ties, digital transformation, agriculture and food security, as well as regional and international issues. "This highest-level visit will certainly have a high impact in increasing the momentum and positive trend of bilateral relations between Malaysia and Russia. "It sends the message that Malaysia is serious and committed to efforts to strengthen and improve bilateral relations with Russia in all fields, particularly strategic cooperation and people-to-people ties," he said. Cheong said Malaysia has always valued its relationship with Russia, which is built on a pragmatic approach, openness and mutual respect. He said the Russian government welcomes His Majesty's state visit and has extended its full cooperation and support to ensure its success. Sultan Ibrahim is scheduled to arrive in Moscow on Tuesday and will be accorded a state welcome ceremony at the Kremlin on Wednesday, before holding an official meeting with Putin and attending a state banquet hosted by the Russian President. His Majesty is also scheduled to visit the Russian Automotive Technology Development Company (NAMI), as well as the Tochka Kipeniya Technology and Innovation Hub. On Friday, Sultan Ibrahim will travel to Kazan, the fifth largest city in Russia, for an audience with the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, at the Kazan Kremlin. Both parties are expected to discuss potential collaboration in the trade, investment, halal industry sectors and agricultural technology. His Majesty is also scheduled to attend a reception ceremony hosted by Minnikhanov and visit the Kazan Helicopter Plant to observe the manufacturing operations of civilian, defence and rescue helicopters. Russia is currently Malaysia's ninth-largest trading partner among European countries and 28th globally, with bilateral trade valued at RM11.46 billion (USD2.48 billion) in 2024. For the period January to June 2025, Malaysia-Russia trade volume was recorded at RM4.13 billion (USD945.7 million).
BusinessToday
3 hours ago
- BusinessToday
OPEC+ Set To Boost Oil Output By 548,000bpd Next Month
OPEC+ has agreed in principle to raise oil production by 548,000 barrels per day (bpd) in September, according to sources within the alliance, marking the final step in reversing its largest pandemic-era output cut. Reuters reported that the decision, expected to be formally confirmed at the ministerial meeting scheduled for 1100GMT on Aug 3, comes amid mounting concerns over supply disruptions from Russia and renewed geopolitical pressure from the West. The move would complete the unwinding of a 2.2 million bpd production cut, with the United Arab Emirates permitted to increase its output by an additional 300,000bpd, according to the sources. The oil alliance, comprising OPEC members and key partners like Russia, has gradually increased supply since April, starting with a 138,000bpd bump, followed by monthly hikes of 411,000bpd through July and 548,000bpd in August. While the core cuts are now nearly fully restored, OPEC+ is still maintaining a voluntary reduction of 1.65 million bpd by eight members, along with a broader two-million-bpd group-wide cut, both of which are set to expire in 2026. The output decision unfolds as Washington presses India to halt Russian oil imports, while new European Union sanctions have already prompted Indian state refiners to suspend purchases from Moscow. These developments have amplified uncertainty around future supply flows and market stability. OPEC+, which accounts for roughly half of global oil production, is not expected to deliberate on the remaining voluntary cuts at the meeting.
