LOBBYISM IN LITHUANIA

LOBBYISM IN LITHUANIA

The Seimas adopted the Law on Lobbying Activities on June 27, 2000. The law came into force on January 1, 2001. The law says that it determines lobbying activities, their control and liability for infringements of this law. It also defines lobbyism, a lobbyist, the customer of lobbying activities.The law says that – lobbying activities are compensated actions of lobbyists seeking influence on, alteration, supplementation or annulment of various legal acts, adoption or prevention of adoption of new legal acts. This activity is aiming at realization of lawful interests of the customer without any infringement of personal right, public and state interests.The lobbyist is defined as a private person, company, enterprise or institution entitled to be engaged in lobbying activities for remuneration and recorded in the list of lobbyists under the provisions of this law. Only six lobbyists registered in the country today. Recognising the importance and necessity of lobbying activities not only in the Lithuania, but also in the European Union and other European countries and regions important for us, we have to admit that either the law is fruitless or Lithuanian business and political institutions do not feel any demand for lobbying activities. Either there is no demand for lobbying services, or lobbyists are so weak and not ready for this work that businessmen do not see any sense is using their services. Or the absolute majority of persons engaged in lobbying activities de facto act outside the law – in violation of it.Let’s admit that in most cases there is no general understanding what lobbyists are necessary for, and owners or managers of companies and enterprises, instead of looking for lobbyists, are inclined to more or less successfully perform in this role themselves. Its must also be acknowledged that nobody in Lithuania has the necessary knowledge, understanding about lobbyism technologies, or more extensive experience in this field.

We must admit we have no lobbyists able to act effectively in Brussels and within EU structures. The main problem is poor knowledge of languages, vague understanding about Brussels corridors, the order of resolution adoption in the European Union, European Commission and European Parliament, and – contacts, contacts, contacts