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On 26 January, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Sigitas Mitkus attended the General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, during which Ministers heard a presentation on the Cyprus presidency's priorities, held an exchange of views on the European Democracy Shield, and continued the annual rule of law dialogue.

"We see the Cyprus Presidency as a crucial semester for the implementation of the EU agenda. We look forward to constructive progress in the EU's negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework and the further EU enlargement process, particularly to a breakthrough in the EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. This period coincides with major geopolitical challenges, so we need to remain united in strengthening the EU’s security and defence and providing full support for Ukraine", stressed the Vice-Minister Mitkus.

The Council was preceded by an informal breakfast, during which ministers held an exchange of views on simplification and more efficient EU regulation with the Chair of the European Parliament’s Conference of Committee Chairs, Bernd Lange, The Vice-Minister Mitkus welcomed the goal to pay special attention to the agenda of simplification and more efficient regulation during the Cyprus Presidency, and stressed the need to reduce administrative burdens and costs for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

"Lithuania supports the simplification agenda in a wide range of sectors, from digital and defence to capital markets. But it is particularly important to accelerate solutions in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), where the EU is currently lagging behind. Strengthening the internal market, reducing regulatory burdens, while easing access to finance are critical to the EU's economic growth and competitiveness," said Vice-Minister Mitkus.

The Council focused on the European Democracy Shield initiative, which aims to enhance EU resilience against disinformation and other hybrid threats.

“It is crucial for Lithuania that the European Democracy Shield covers not only the battle  against disinformation or election interference, but also the fight against Russia’s falsification of history. We need to strengthen democratic institutions and our common European historical memory, protect the information space from manipulation,” said the Vice-Minister Mitkus.

In the context of the annual rule of law dialogue, Ministers also held a country-specific discussion focusing on the rule of law situation in Estonia, Denmark, Greece and Spain. The Vice-Minister welcomed the good practices of these countries and stressed that respect for the rule of law was an essential part of the foundational value of the European Union.

"Respect for the rule of law is a foundational value of the European Union and is critical for the single market's functioning and the EU's competitiveness. We therefore support the strengthening of the link between the rule of law adherence and funding from the EU budget in the next MFF," stressed the Vice-Minister Mitkus.

Cyprus assumed the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the second time on 1 January 2026. The Presidency is operating under the motto "An Autonomous Union. Open to the World".