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VILNIUS, Apr 04, BNS – Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius on Wednesday said the country pursues historic justice by implementing a law on compensation for property owned by Lithuanian Jewish communities and nationalized by totalitarian regimes.

"These decisions are needed for all of us, needed for historic justice, and by doing this we have made a huge step forward to assuming our moral responsibility for history, sometimes difficult and tragic history," Kubilius told journalists on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Lithuania's government formally authorized a fund to dispose compensation for property owned by Lithuanian Jewish communities and nationalized by totalitarian regimes.

Representatives of the government and the Jewish Community of Lithuania called it a historic decision. The move will allow to implement a law adopted by he Lithuanian parliament last year. Pursuant to the law, LTL128 million (EUR 36.5 million) will have to be transferred to a special fund in a decade. The money will be spent on Jewish education, religious, scientific, cultural, healthcare and other projects with public benefits. LTL 3 million are allocated for Holoaust victims in this year's budget.

"We made the decision that allows us to implement the law the parliament adopted last year. I would like to note that it's a really important decision the discussions on which took some 15 years, and I really positively evaluate the fact that the Seimas, the government and the Jewish communities managed to find right solutions," the Lithuanian prime minister said.

Prime Minister's Chancellor Deividas Matulionis said the government's move is a historic decision that might become a model for other countries having historic conscience problems. "This historic decision reflects Lithuania's consistent policy since the restoration of indolence of restoring justice and carrying out restitution. I believe that this decision might become a certain model for other states having historic conscience problems," Matulionis said.

Chairman of the Jewish Community of Lithuania Simonas Alperavicius, who also attended a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, called the decision a miracle. "It's a very important decision for the whole Lithuania, not only for the Jews. The Jews are always followed by miracles. One miracle took place today. I am very grateful to the whole government, the prime minister," Alperavicius said. "Your government will go down in history, I am telling you," he added.

The Good Will Compensation Fund was set up last year. Its board will consist of 12 people representing Lithuanian Jewish communities. Matulionis said on Wednesday a half of board members will represent Jewish organizations in Lithuania, and the rest will represent Jewish organizations abroad.