Ministry of Transport and Communications () is a government institution in the Republic of Lithuania which coordinates the work of road, rail, air, water, transport, postal and electronic communications sector and implements the strategy and politics of state government.
History The Ministry of Transport and Communications of Lithuania was first established on 11 November 1918 and it operated until the World War II. The ministry was first temporarily headed by the then Minister of Finance Martynas Yčas (1885–1941). When Lithuania regained its independence the new Government was formed on 22 March 1990, and the Ministry of Transport and Communications was re-established as well. The objectives of the Ministry include the creation of new transport strategy and legal system as well as deepening the integration of the Lithuanian transport sector into the European transport network.
Ministers
The Minister of Transport and Communications () is a member of the executive branch of the Government of Lithuania. The current incumbent is Juras Taminskas who took office on 25 September 2025.
The Minister of Transport and Communications of Lithuania is responsible for overseeing the development, maintenance, and efficiency of the country's transportation infrastructure, including roads, rail, air, and maritime systems. This role involves formulating policies that regulate transportation, enhance mobility, and promote environmental sustainability. The Minister also leads efforts to advance digital communication networks and telecommunications services, ensuring the country is equipped with modern and accessible digital infrastructure. Additionally, the Minister is tasked with ensuring the safety of transportation networks, implementing safety regulations, and responding to any transport-related incidents. The Minister represents Lithuania in international transport matters, fostering cooperation with other countries and organizations, and coordinates cross-border infrastructure projects. Furthermore, the Minister plays a key role in drafting legislation and regulations related to transport and communication sectors, aligning them with both national and European Union standards. Finally, the Minister supports initiatives aimed at improving public transportation and alternative mobility solutions, contributing to reduced congestion and increased accessibility.
Ministry of Transport and Communications Term Minister Party Cabinet Office Start date End date Time in office 1 Jonas Biržiškis (1932–2025) Independent Prunskienė 17 January 1990 10 January 1991 2 Jonas Biržiškis (1932–2025) Independent Šimėnas 10 January 1991 13 January 1991 3 Jonas Biržiškis (1932–2025) Independent Vagnorius 13 January 1991 21 July 1992 4 Jonas Biržiškis (1932–2025) Independent Abišala 21 July 1992 17 December 1992 5 Jonas Biržiškis (1932–2025) Independent Lubys 17 December 1992 31 March 1993 6 Jonas Biržiškis (1932–2025) Independent Šleževičius 31 March 1993 19 March 1996 7 Jonas Biržiškis (1932–2025) Independent Stankevičius 19 March 1996 10 December 1996 8 Algis Žvaliauskas (born 1955) Homeland Union Vagnorius 10 December 1996 25 November 1998 9 Rimantas Didžiokas (born 1953) Homeland Union 6 January 1999 10 June 1999 10 Rimantas Didžiokas (born 1953) Homeland Union Paksas 10 June 1999 11 November 1999 11 Rimantas Didžiokas (born 1953) Homeland Union Kubilius 11 November 1999 9 November 2000 12 Gintaras Striaukas (born 1960) Liberal Union Paksas 9 November 2000 24 January 2001 13 Dailis Alfonsas Barakauskas (born 1952) Liberal Union 24 January 2001 12 July 2001 14 Zigmantas Balčytis (born 1953) Social Democratic Party Brazauskas 12 July 2001 14 December 2004 15 Zigmantas Balčytis (born 1953) Social Democratic Party Brazauskas 14 December 2004 14 May 2005 16 Petras Čėsna (born 1945) Social Democratic Party 10 June 2005 18 July 2006 17 Algirdas Butkevičius (born 1958) Social Democratic Party Kirkilas 18 July 2006 27 May 2008 18 Eligijus Masiulis (born 1974) Liberal Movement Kubilius 9 December 2008 13 December 2012 19 Rimantas Sinkevičius (born 1952) Social Democratic Party Butkevičius 13 December 2012 13 December 2016 20 Rokas Masiulis (born 1969) Independent Skvernelis 13 December 2016 7 August 2019 21 Jaroslav Narkevič (born 1962) Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania 7 August 2019 11 December 2020 22Marius Skuodis (born 1985)IndependentŠimonytė11 December 202012 December 202423Eugenijus Sabutis (born 1975)Social Democratic PartyPaluckas12 December 202425 September 202524Juras Taminskas (born 1986)Social Democratic PartyRuginienė25 September 2025Incumbent
Role and responsibilities The Ministry seeks: to fulfil the requirements of European Union legislation in the areas of transport, post and electronic communications; to modernize the transport infrastructure; to integrate the main highways of the country into the trans-European networks; to enable the development of transport business, transparent competition; to improve transport and communication service quality; to promote multimodal transport, logistics centers, public setting; to coordinate activities in the areas of transport, post and electronic communications; to take part in the development of the traffic safety policy for all modes of transport; to take part in the development of the policy on the reduction of negative environmental impacts of transport areas.
The most important transport and communication infrastructure development projects
Rail Baltica is one of the priority projects of the European Union Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T).European gauge railway is going to link Helsinki and Tallinn, Riga, Kaunas and Warsaw. The project is funded by the European Union's TEN-T, the Cohesion Fund and the Lithuanian State, started in 2010.
Via Baltica is known as a part of the European route E67 between Warsaw and Tallinn. International Via Baltica project is helping to create better traffic conditions between the Central, Western Europe and Baltic countries.
RAIN – the project of developing the broadband Internet in all rural areas of the country. This project will be completed in 2013. The project goal is to provide broadband access to all rural districts of public administrations, hospitals, laboratories, schools, museums, libraries, public Internet access points.
MEZON 4G Internet, acting on the basis of advanced wireless technologies, providing extremely high speed (download speed - up to 10 Mbit/s). MEZON Internet operates in 53 cities and towns, it is available for about 60 percent of Lithuania's population. It is planned next year to allow MEZON mobile Internet access across the densely populated territory of Lithuania.
Dredging of Klaipėda state sea port basin, construction and reconstruction of embankments (2004–2010), improving facilities of freight and passenger service.
Reconstruction of Sventoji Port. Started in 2010. The port is going to maintain recreational, small, sport, fishing boats, small sea cruise and passenger ships.
Construction of deep-water port in Klaipėda (planned).
Reconstruction of Jakai roundabout (2010, completed the first stage of reconstruction). 4-lane overhead road is linking Kaunas and Klaipėda directions.
Reconstruction of Railway tunnel in Kaunas (2008)
Modernization of Kena border railway statio (2008)
Institutions under the Ministry of Transport and Communications
State Road Transport Inspectorate State Railway Inspectorate Lithuanian Road Administration Directorate of border crossing infrastructure Information Society Development Committee
Institutions and Enterprises under the regulation of the Ministry Vilnius International Airport Kaunas Airport Palanga International Airport SE Air Navigation SE Inland Waterways Authority Klaipėda State Seaport SE Railway Design PC Aukštaitijos siaurasis geležinkelis SC Problematika SE Transport and Road Research Institute SC Lithuanian Post The State of inland navigation office Transport Investment Directorate PI "Plačiajuostis internetas" Civil Aviation Administration The Lithuanian Maritime Safety Administration AB "Lithuanian Railways" JSC "Geležinkelio apsaugos želdiniai" JSC "Smiltynės perkėla" JSC "Detonas" SE Lithuanian Radio and Television Centre JSC "Lithuanian Shipping Company"
See also
References
REGULATIONS OF THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA.