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On 27 January at the EU General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Egidijus Meilūnas supported the proposal of the European Commission regarding the size of the new EU budget, but stressed that also the importance of a fairer allocation of EU funds for cohesion and agriculture to EU member states.

Meilūnas reiterated that the main priorities of Lithuania were cohesion, common agricultural policy and further implementation of EU obligations, as stipulated in Lithuania’s accession agreement, i.e., the financing of the closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant after 2014. According to the Vice-Minister, the rules for the allocation of funds should be based on the principles of solidarity, non-discrimination and equal treatment of member states.

“I believe that the common EU policy – cohesion and agricultural policy – should remain strong and play a special role when striving to achieve EU’s key goals,” Meilūnas said.

The size of the EU budget that is being proposed by the European Commission is acceptable to Lithuania, because it already includes the saving measures. Further cuts may reduce the amount of EU support to Lithuania for the period of 2014-2020.

“This would extend the time for the less-developed member states to catch up with other countries. In the meantime, the European Union’s task is to eliminate the existing disparities as soon as possible,” Meilūnas said.

The Danish EU Presidency for this half-year has launched discussions of EU foreign ministers on the size of the next multiannual EU budget 2014-2020 and on national priorities of EU member states for the future negotiations. Lithuania calls on Denmark to take into account the progress that has been achieved by its forerunner, the Polish Presidency.

On the eve of the ministerial meeting, Meilūnas participated in the meeting of the Group of Friends of the EU Cohesion Policy to discuss the common position on the EU budget. The Vice-Minister also took part in the working breakfast of representatives from EU member states with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy to discuss the preparation for the informal EU summit on 30 January.

“On Monday, the informal European Council will discuss further EU growth and employment. How can we boost the EU economy and increase the competitiveness of the EU around the world without a strong and deep cohesion within the EU?” the Vice-Minister asked rhetorically.