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On 5 May, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Sigitas Mitkus visited Stockholm, where he met with Jessica Rosencrantz, Minister for European Union Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, and Erik Ottoson, Chairman of the Committee on European Union Affairs of the Riksdag.

During the meetings, the Vice-Minister presented the main priorities of the upcoming Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU: strengthening security and defence, further enlargement of the EU, enhancing the EU’s competitiveness, and social security.

The meetings also included an exchange of views on topical items on the EU agenda, such as the ongoing negotiations on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2028-2034, EU defence and security initiatives, ensuring the rule of law, and support for Ukraine. Initiatives to strengthen the EU's competitiveness, including improving access to financing for businesses, were also discussed. The Vice-Minister underlined that during the negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework, we will seek to ensure that the needs of the Eastern border regions are adequately addressed, to maintain funding for traditional EU agricultural and cohesion policies, and to increase the participation of all member states in activities financed by the European Competitiveness Fund.    

Special attention was paid to the EU enlargement process, which will be one of the main priorities of Lithuania's Presidency of the Council of the EU.

"It is of utmost importance to start EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova without delay, thus restoring confidence in the EU enlargement process. Ukraine's integration into the European Union is crucial for the security and competitiveness of both Ukraine and the European Union as a whole," said the Vice-Minister.

During the visit, the Vice-Minister also presented Lithuania's initiative to inaugurate a Pan-European Memorial for the Victims of Totalitarianism in Brussels, and Sweden was invited to join the initiative.

Vice-Minister Mitkus visited Sweden as part of President Gitanas Nausėda's delegation. The aim of these meetings is to present Lithuania's preparations for the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2027 and its priorities.