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On 7 December during the "conclave" meeting of EU foreign ministers concerning the EU Financial perspective for 2007-2013  Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis stressed that Lithuania could not accept the Presidency’s proposal.

“The proposal should be substantially revised,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister emphasised.

According to the Minister all the Member States should share the burden of compromise and strive for agreement, the responsibility should not be shifted to less developed countries of the EU.

In his speech to the conclave Minster Valionis also reminded that the United Kingdom blocked the agreement on financial perspective in June, arguing for necessity of up-to-date and fair budget, yet the current proposal, in Minister’s opinion, is nor more up-to-date, nor more fair than the Luxembourg’s proposal.

Foreign Minister agreed with the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, who proposed the EU budget that would ensure the existence of strong, open, modern and enlarged European Union.

“We need a proposal based upon fundamental principles of equality and solidarity in Europe,” Minister Valionis stated and underlined Lithuania’s hope for new proposal from the Presidency, that would lead to compromise.

The Minister voiced hope that the Presidency would submit such a proposal before the European Council meeting and stated that Lithuania is ready for cooperation in preparation of the proposal for the European Council.