News

Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs invites everyone to take part in the public discussion “Lithuania in the European Union: set to take the helm after 7 years of membership,” which will take place at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in Vilnius on 19 July.At the initiative of Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis, the discussion is being organized on the eve of the annual convention of Lithuanian ambassadors, which will discuss deeper European integration and preparation for Lithuania’s Presidency of the EU as important and urgent issues on diplomatic service’s agenda.

At the event, Lithuanian Foreign Minister A.Ažubalis and Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the European Union, Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis will hold a talk with the public, political scientist Klaudijus Maniokas will comment and journalist from Lithuanian National Radio and Television Vykintas Pugačiauskas will moderate the event.

Lithuania’s preparation to hold the EU Presidency will be represented also in other towns of Lithuania this autumn.

Participants of the discussion will be invited to speak about current issues of Lithuania’s EU membership and preparation for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2013.

The meeting is expected to increase public awareness in Lithuania of the EU, to encourage people to take a more active interest in the ongoing process and to strengthen the European identity of Lithuanian citizens.

The discussion with the public on Lithuania’s upcoming Presidency will be held on the eve of the convention of Lithuanian ambassadors, which is due on 20-22 July. The leadership of the Ministry and heads of diplomatic missions will be briefed on the thoughts voiced by the public.

A public opinion survey commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was carried out in April, which revealed that 61.3 per cent of the surveyed Lithuanian residents took interest in the EU (35.9 per cent were not interested). 52.9 per cent of the respondents feel that the Presidency of the EU will be beneficial to Lithuania (21 per cent think the opposite), because the country will have a unique opportunity to present and defend its interests (63.8 per cent feel that the Presidency will be helpful), and to present Lithuania as the country that is attractive for tourism and investments (51.6 percent).

For more information about Lithuania’s preparation for the EU Presidency, please visit here: http://espirmininkavimas.urm.lt/

The discussion on the EU membership and future Presidency of the Council of the European Union will be held on July 19 at 4:00 p.m. at the palace which is at the moment still being reconstructed. Everyone is welcome to come. The number of seats is limited, so please register in advance via e-mail at germanas.kavalskis@urm.lt. The deadline for registration is 19 July, 12.00 p.m.