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On 7 March, the vice-ministers responsible for the Lithuanian presidency of the European Union Council had a discussion on the relevant questions of the European Union agenda and preparations for the presidency with the high level officials from the European Union Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission.

“Three months are left before the beginning of the Presidency and this is the time when we have to clearly realize the extent of this challenge:  proper preparedness, the importance of collaboration of all the leaders and institutions working in the field of the EU affairs. This is the only way to expect our leading of the political process of the EU will be successful”, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Vytautas Leškevičius said.

 During the open meeting of the European Union Commission of the Government, the vice ministers had a meeting with the Secretary-General of the European Parliament Klaus Welle and his advisors Lars Sorensen and Ana Fernandez Perles, Deputy Secretary-General of the European Commission Christian Danielsson, Director-General of the Directorate for General Affairs and Inter-Institutional relations of the Council’ General Secretariat Jim Cloos and head of unit André Gillissen. The issues of major importance for Lithuania were also discussed with the management of the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union and the Lithuanian presidency team. The agenda includes the meeting with the member of the European Commission Algirdas Šemeta.

„During the Presidency Lithuania will work to ensure the financial stability, will promote economic growth and creation of jobs, and will seek for the European security and openness for the countries that are intent to collaborate more closely“, V. Leškevičius said.

The European Union Commission of the Government was established in 2009 with the aim to be actively involved in the processes of making the coordinated Lithuanian European Union policy and ensuring effective implementation of it. The Commission is chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. It comprises the vice ministers from all Lithuanian ministries, the First Deputy of the Prime Minister Chancellor and the Director-General of the European Law Department under the Ministry of Justice.