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On 29 January in Brussels, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius held meetings with Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič and Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle. At the meetings, Linkevičius stressed that Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union would aim to achieve objectives, important for entire Europe: financial stability, sustainable economic growth, job creation, and openness to neighbouring countries.

“Financial stability is needed to fully restore confidence in the EU economy. Therefore, Lithuania’s Presidency of the EU Council will aim to achieve progress in the architecture of Europe’s Economic and Monetary Union, on the Banking Union, and the Stability and Growth Pact,” Linkevičius said at the meeting with Šefčovič.

The Minister stressed that Lithuania would implement the Single Market Act I and II, and finalize the Multiannual Financial Framework regulations in order to spur economic growth in the EU.

“Smart growth also encompasses such important for Lithuania initiatives as the creation of the internal energy market, financing of energy and transport infrastructure, effective implementation of the Baltic Sea Region Strategy,” Linkevičius said.

The Minister and Commissioner Füle discussed the Eastern Partnership Summit, which is due on 28-29 November in Vilnius. The Minister stressed that Lithuania’s Presidency must cooperate closely with the European Commission and the European External Action Service if it wanted to succeed.

“We want to strengthen sector cooperation with Eastern Partnership countries on ministerial level and organize first formal sector ministerial Eastern Partnership meetings during our Presidency. The Eastern Partnership should be used to carry out specific projects and activities in partner countries,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister said.

The Minister also met with advisers to the President of the European Council, President of the European Commission, President of the European Parliament and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.