On 20-21 January, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius is to pay a working visit to Dublin, the capital of Ireland, where he will attend an informal meeting of Ministers, responsible for the EU policy, and will meet with representatives of the local Lithuanian community.

The ministerial meeting will focus on ensuring the necessary democratic legitimacy and accountability of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The Ministers will discuss mechanisms of democratic control and accountability, the role of national parliaments and the European Parliament in decision-making, as well as the process towards a deeper EMU, which should be characterised by openness and transparency. The event will be also attended by representatives from the EU candidate countries and Members of the European Parliament.

Informal meetings of Ministers, responsible for the EU policy, are usually held once every six months in the member state that holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU. From January 1st until June 30th 2013 Ireland will host the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

On 20 January, Linkevičius will meet with Lithuanians living in Ireland. The Minister will attend service at St Andrew’s Church, and will meet with members of the Lithuanian community to discuss various issues and foreign policy.