Lithuania: The country wants to crack the local beer market, according to its president

Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus said on February 27 his nation's beer was judged the world's best at a recent competition in New York. "We are becoming a very strong competitor to Germany and Holland with our pilsener," he told the Herald Sun on February 27. "We are looking for openings in Australia."

The nation of 3.6 million people underwent radical economic and social reforms after independence, and was admitted to the European Union in 2004. "It showed everybody that finally Lithuania is a member of the world community," Mr Adamkus said.

01 March, 2006