An updated list of issues to be dealt with during Lithuania’s Presidency of the EU Council and the  negotiation dossiers were approved at the Government meeting on 9 January.

The  updated list consists of 562 legislative and non-legislative initiatives, including over 140 priority ones, which outline a possible EU agenda for Lithuania’s Presidency period from 1 July to 31 December 2013.

“One of the most important challenges for Lithuania will be ensuring a smooth and efficient EU decision-making process in close and effective cooperation with the EU institutions,” Foreign Affairs Minister  Linas Linkevičius said.

The Minister stressed that  the updated list of issues and the negotiation dossiers allowed realising heavy workload to be experienced during Lithuania’s forthcoming Presidency. According to the Minister, that  reflects not only the Presidency’s political EU agenda, but also the most important priorities for the EU and Lithuania.

Due to the EU’s political cycle, Lithuania’s first ever Presidency of the EU Council will be dealing with imminent EU legislation work, because the elections to the European Parliament will be held in May 2014. The European Commission’s term of office will also end at the same time. Therefore, the goal will be maximum progress in adopting EU legislation.

The number of initiatives will be reviewed taking into account the results of the current Irish Presidency and the European Commission’s new initiatives. The approval of the final documentation by the Government and the Seimas (Parliament) is scheduled for June.