VILNIUS, August 19 (RIA Novosti) - Lithuania may close down from three to 12 of its embassies next year as it considers more spending cuts amid a sharp economic slump, a website cited the foreign minister as saying on Wednesday.
Vygaudas Usackas was quoted as saying by lrt.lt portal that the government had halved funding for the Foreign Ministry for 2010 compared with this year, and the ministry would be forced to close down more embassies than it had earlier planned.
"If funding is cut to 110 million litas [$45 million], we will be able to retain no more than 20 diplomatic missions, but this number is certain to harm Lithuanian nationals' interests. We are considering closing from three to 12 embassies," Usackas said.
Lithuania runs 32 embassies and/or consulates worldwide, and seven representations at international organizations.
Usackas said, as quoted by the website, that the ministry needed at least 150 million litas ($61.3 million) to be able to maintain its usual level of work, but would still have to axe some of its personnel.
Lithuania is experiencing its worst economic crisis since 1995. The country's budget deficit was 3.2% last year, grew to 5.4% this year and is forecast at 8% in 2010. The government has cut 2009 spending by over 1 billion euros, increased taxes and cancelled almost all tax privileges.
