Analytics, Economics, Energy, Legislation, Lithuania

Dalia Grybauskaite.

"The challenges are not only Lithuanian, they European, as well as global. This includes the process of democratization, peace which is not seen in some regions, also climbing out of crisis. We have to do it all together in Europe and around us," the president said in Tuesday's interview to the radio Ziniu Radijas, informs LETA/ELTA.

Among the main achievements of the country, the leader named NATO defence plans for the Baltic States, the EU decision that by 2015 the Baltic States would be integrated into the European energy space, thus eliminating our energy insulation. "We also received support for our idea of stricter requirements for nuclear power companies and especially for new constructions that are taking place next to the EU, that is, next to Lithuania. The idea was that new yet to be built nuclear power plants would be subject to very strict safety requirements, as well as stress-tests would be ran on them," Grybauskaite said.

The president was happy about the support for electricity and gas exchanges which to be formed. "Both energy and defence were extremely important priorities in foreign policy, they meet the interests of Lithuania and every citizen, they provide us with a development opportunity, coming out of difficult economic situation and having sufficient security so that we would develop the country for the good of people," Grybauskaite stressed.

President Dalia Grybauskaite says she changed her approach to work after the first year as president; apart from helping to the Government, she also started providing legislative proposals. The head of state was pleased that so far such practice has been successful as the majority of proposals enjoyed support from the Seimas.

"After the first year, I slightly changed my approach to work. During the first year, we tried to help the Government, while, as the second year's task that I set for myself and my team was trying not only to help out the Government, but also initiating many legislative proposals on our own, especially, when it comes to fighting corruption and collusions on prices, making public procurement more transparent, legalizing extended confiscation of property, increasing penalties, introducing of terms in public offices, especially in law enforcement institutions," Grybauskaite said in Tuesday's interview to the radio Ziniu Radijas.

The result of the new approach is the double amount of legislative drafts that reached the Seimas from the Presidential Palace. "Compared to previous year with 34 laws adopted, during the second year, we proposed 66 of them. I am glad that almost 75% of all initiatives enjoyed support. (...) I am also happy that the Seimas approved almost all of my proposals, with some small corrections only. I am glad because this shows that the Seimas and I understand each other," Grybauskaite said. The president will read her second annual report after a week.