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During a discussion on the European Union’s external trade policy trends on 12 July, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis stressed that trade policy had to create conditions for the Lithuanian business to compete in a free market, and not with the policy that is implemented by the governments of foreign countries.

According to the Minister, it is necessary to aim at having a free trade that would not be distorted by subsidies, double prices for energy resources or other administrative measures.

According to Minister A.Ažubalis, Lithuania needs both world-class high-tech and traditional industries. “Trade policy should help us to achieve this goal by reducing trade barriers, and by opening third countries’ markets to our exporters,” the Minister said during the round table discussion “The European Union’s External Trade Policy Trends: What is the Future of Industry in Europe and Lithuania?”

The event was co-organized by the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists and Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it’s objective was to formulate joint responses to the European Commission’s questionnaire and to discuss Lithuania’s priorities in the EU’s future foreign trade policy context.

On 2 June, the European Commission launched public consultation that aims to gather views regarding the EU’s trade policy. The Commission’s intention is to set out its policy in a communiqué this autumn, explaining how trade policy can help achieve the objectives of the 'Europe 2020' strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. All individuals who wish express their views regarding the EU’s trade policy are invited to send responses to the European Commission’s questionnaire, which can be found on the website of the European Commission.

The participants of the round table discussion in Vilnius deliberated the state’s role in trade, the expectations of Lithuanian business from the state in the area of trade policy, and the trade policy that was needed currently and in the future.

Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that the citizens of Lithuania, who took part in the chain of the state’s foreign trade in one way or another, were not just “profit- seekers chasing after bonuses”, but  first and foremost “representatives of Lithuania’s commercial, negotiation and monetary action.”

“Therefore, I wish that when seeking success with foreign partners, we would not forget that we are citizens of our country and that we have to respect its order and our international political and economical memberships. Profit is important, but defence of national interests is above all,” Minister A.Ažubalis said.