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The objective of the article is to investigate the effects of the stage of integration on convergence in the European Union. The relationships between the selected macroeconomic variables and per capita GDP growth rate are econometrically tested for the period 2004-2018 and three sub-periods: the pre-crisis period 2004-2008, the crisis period 2009-2013, and the post-crisis period 2014-2018. Convergence is estimated using ordinary least squares (OLS) semi-log regression based on cross-sectional data. The findings show that convergence rates range between 1.9 percent and 4.8 percent. The positive effects of deeper integration are identified, as well as the negative effects of the 2008/2009 crisis. The empirical results suggest that the selected variables have an impact on the per capita GDP growth rate in at least one analyzed period.

Cover -- CONTENTS -- WHAT EXPLAINS LITHUANIA'S LOW TAX-GDP RATIO? -- A. Tax Revenue Performance Relative to the EU -- B. Underlying Reasons for Tax Revenue Underperformance -- C. Quantification of Contributions to Tax Revenue Underperformance -- D. Conclusions and Recommendations -- REFERENCES -- BOX -- 1. Estimating the Effective Statutory Tax Rate -- FIGURES -- 1. Tax Revenues in EU countries, 2015 -- 2. Tax Revenues, 2000-15 -- 3. Tax Structure in Lithuania and the EU, 2015 -- 4. Labor Share of Income, 2012-15 -- TABLES -- 1. Current Taxes on Income and Wealth, 2015 -- 2. Production and Import Taxes in Europe, 2015 -- 3. Social Security Contributions in Europe, 2015 -- 4. Lithuania's Tax Revenue Underperformance, 2015 -- 5. Tax Rates in Europe, 2015 -- 6. Tax Exemptions in Europe, 2015 -- 7. VAT Exemptions in Europe, 2016 -- 8. VAT Compliance Gap, 2015 -- 9. Tax Administration Indicators in Europe, 2013 -- 10. Effective Statutory Tax Rates, 2015 -- 11. Contributions to Lithuania's Tax Underperformance Relative to the EU, 2015 -- LITHUANIA'S INNOVATION SYSTEM AND PROPOSALS FOR REFORM-LEARNING FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF ISRAEL -- A. Innovation Performance -- B. Innovation Policies -- C. Conclusions and Recommendations -- REFERENCES -- FIGURES -- 1. Summary Innovation Index -- 2. Aggregate and Public R&D Expenditure, 1996-2014 -- 3. R&D Expenditure and Financing -- 4. Indicators of Scientific Innovation, 2013 -- 5. Non-Scientific Innovation, 2015 -- 6. Overview of Lithuania's Research and Innovation System, 2016 -- 7. Overview of Israel's Research and Innovation System -- 8. Innovation Promotion Programs and Their Funding under the 2014-20 MFF -- TABLE -- 1. Innovation Index Comparison -- ANNEXES -- I. Objectives and Targets of the Lithuania Innovation Promotion Program 2014-20 -- II. Institutional Setup of Lithuania's Innovation System.