Prime Minister discusses Lithuanian presidency agenda with the President of the European Council

Today, the Lithuanian Government delegation, headed by Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius, had a meeting with President of the European Council, Mr Herman Van Rompuy. As a representative of the incoming EU Presidency, Algirdas Butkevičius pointed out Lithuania’s commitment to translate policy initiatives into actual legislation towards credible, growing and open Europe.

“It is very important that this year the European Council meeting agendas have listed priority issues of crucial relevance to Europe and Lithuania, including energy, innovation, digital single market, common security and defence policy, which will serve a new impetus in restoring confidence in the EU finances, boosting economic growth, and jobs, and reinforcing the EU as a model of openness and security”,– said Algirdas Butkevičius.

Apart from the Prime Minister, the delegation meeting with the President of the European Council included Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius, Minister of Finance Rimantas Šadžius, Minister of Transport Rimantas Sinkevicius, and Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas.

Rimantas Šadžius emphasized that the integration of the single market, the banking union, strengthening of the common economic policy still continue this year as major challenges for the EU.

According to Minister of Transport R. Sinkevičius, Lithuania has set out clear priorities that will ensure a more dynamic European economy and bring more benefits for the EU citizens. The Lithuanian Presidency will seek to accelerate the processes necessary for the implementation of the Digital Agenda and the completion of the single digital market by 2015.

The National Defence Minister Juozas Olekas expressed expectations that the December European Council would approve the European aspirations to assume a greater role in ensuring secure neighbourhood.  Discussing the strategic defence with H. Van Rompuy, Minister Juozas Olekas also drew attention to the need of reviewing the strategic security priorities, as Europe seeks to be more involved in the international security. Recalling one of the main priorities of Lithuania – the Eastern Partnership – Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius noted that the third EU Eastern Partnership Summit in November in Vilnius might serve a great opportunity for both the EU and the partner countries to demonstrate the results.

The Lithuanian Presidency agenda was discussed with President of the European Council H. Van Rompuy during his visit in Vilnius back in February.

The agenda of the traditional future presidency visit to Brussels included meetings with the European Commission and President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz.