News

On 22 December Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekūnas invited representatives of Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University to contribute to preparations for the European Union’s Presidency in the second half of 2013 which is one of the most significant Lithuanian foreign policy challenges.

“The EU Presidency is a major event in political life of the state.  We should prove that Lithuania can successfully preside and take important European and international policy decisions,” Mr Vaitiekūnas said.

Lithuania will head the EU Councils, more than 300 working groups and committees. More than 200 various Presidency events will be organized during that period.

“It is important to ensure coherent preparations for the EU Presidency, create relevant infrastructure, strengthen administrative capacities, plan properly the needs of personnel, strengthen ties with the EU Members and representatives of the EU institutions,” the Head of Lithuanian Diplomacy stressed.

In preliminary estimate more than 600 public servants should be duly prepared to undertake the basic workload of the Presidency period.

“We are waiting for proposals for concrete projects that aim for improvement of public servants’ knowledge of the EU policy spheres, enhancement of necessary administrative capacities, and preparation of useful analytical information. Academic and analytical support of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science is always helpful for practical politicians,” Minister Vaitiekūnas said.

On 9 November Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Institute of International Relations and Political Science signed a cooperation agreement.