Analytics, Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Legislation, Lithuania

Algirdas Butkevicius and Jose Manuel Barroso. Brussels, 23.04.2013. Photo: lrv.lt

“During its Presidency, Lithuania will be dealing with coordination of interests of all member states and translating the resulting decisions into binding legislation. While talking to EC President Barroso, I informed him that Lithuania during its Presidency is ready to address the issues of financial stability, economic growth and employment as well as open neighbourhood. We need to bring back confidence in the European markets through the development of the economy, fiscal sustainability and stability. We will direct our efforts to the management of the economy, and the implementation of the EU Fiscal Treaty. Europe has to be reliable”, said the Prime Minister after the meeting.

The Presidency will call for our great responsibility as regards the completion of regulations and other legislation related to the EU multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020, as they will serve the core for new funding programs starting as of January 2014. Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius says that Lithuania will give a careful consideration to all EU countries – it is the duty of EU Presidency to balance the interest of all member states.

“The direction of utmost importance in the Presidency period is smart growth and employment, therefore, Lithuania will continue working to boost competitiveness and promote employment," noted the Head of the Government.

No less attention will be given to the issues of the European openness and safe neighborhood as well as closer and tighter co-operation between EU and Eastern partners.

“To this end, on November 28-29, Vilnius will host Eastern Partnership Summit, which will discuss all the issues related to the Eastern partnership. We will try to strengthen the dialogue with the Eastern countries, such as Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Belarus, and Azerbaijan. Apart from these priorities, we will also give much attention to Seimas-approved initiatives for more effective control of the EU external borders, stronger Baltic Sea region relations and energy security. The latter is extremely important to us – the internal energy market must be completed after all, thus providing for necessary infrastructure and eliminating energy islands”, said the Lithuanian Prime Minister.

The meeting also discussed Lithuania's intention to adopt the euro. Jose Manuel Barroso said that he supported Lithuania in this effort, but reminded the utmost importance of proper preparation for this step as well as the compliance with Maastricht criteria.