“Lithuania has been and will be seeking that the activities of an enlarged European Union’s institutions should be transparent, democratic and open to the interests of all member states and EU citizens,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis stated at the meeting of EU foreign ministers which concluded in Naples on November 29.
„The European Union is a union of European citizens and states. Such a principle should be laid down in the EU Constitutional Treaty," Minister Valionis underscored presenting Lithuanian’s position in Naples.
During the two-day meeting the foreign ministers discussed institutional matters, over which member state opinions differed substantially. The most controversial issue was the choice of order for decision-making at the EU Council: either the one foreseen in the Treaty of Niece or the one proposed by the Convention in the Draft Constitution.
„The Niece Treaty is acceptable to Lithuania, yet smooth decision making at the EU Council is extremely important. Therefore we must hear out all arguments, weigh both positive and negative aspects of each proposal, and only afterwards take a stance on which order of decision making is most acceptable to us," Minister Valionis commented on the debate in question.
During his speech presenting Lithuania’s position, the Foreign Minister emphasised the importance of each member state being represented in the Commission by a full-fledged Commissioner. „Such a make-up will better ensure legitimacy and democracy of the Commission’s activities,” Minister Valionis observed.
According to the Minister the process of the EU institutional reform envisages turning the European Council into a separate institution. „Therefore proposal to apply the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice to the European Council’s decision is another step in this direction," Minister Valionis believes.
In the evening of November 28, the foreign ministers also discussed issues of security and defence. "An agreement has already been reached to avoid overlap of the Common Defence and Security Policy with NATO, while enhanced cooperation in this area will be open to all member states, which may wish to join it later. Lithuania has always maintained the opinion that formalising the EU Common Defence and Security Policy would not be beneficial, if it were at the expense of duplication of NATO structures and capacities," Chief of Lithuanian Diplomacy maintained.