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Credible, growing and open Europe – these are the priorities of Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and Germany’s support for these purposes proves once again that the two countries share common vision for a strong Europe, stressed the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius at the meeting with Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, Adviser on European Affairs to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on April 11.

“The successful Eastern Partnership programme embodies the idea of an open Europe; therefore, Lithuania will pay great attention to the implementation of this ambitious programme. The Presidency’s most important event – the Eastern Partnership Summit - will be held on November 28 and 29 in Vilnius,” Linkevičius said.

The Foreign Minister thanked Germany for its active participation in the Eastern Partnership programme. He also underlined that further cooperation was vital in the run-up to the Vilnius Summit.

According to the Foreign Minister, Europe needs to continue to strengthen the Economic and Monetary Union, implement the adopted financial market reform legislation, deepen the single market, complete the EU internal market for energy, improve energy infrastructure, reduce youth unemployment, and implement the Growth Agenda.

Linkevičius underlined that Germany was playing a special role and mapping the future scenarios for the Eurozone and the EU as a whole, so it was very important for Lithuania to secure the support of this country.

The meeting also focused on Lithuania’s preparations for the Presidency of the EU Council, the EU’s multiannual financial framework, the enlargement of the European Union, issues related to Lithuania’s membership in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Eastern Partnership, relations with Russia and Belarus, and energy security.

Germany is one of Lithuania’s key partners in the EU and NATO, the second largest trading partner and the third-largest investor in Lithuania.