In an interview to BNS after meeting with Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague, Linkevičius said he felt no Euro-skepticism, emphasizing that the EU needs Great Britain.
"Hague said it is their goal to stay in the EU but they want to get answers to questions that have a right to exist," the Lithuanian diplomacy chief told BNS.
Linkevičius said that the competition, accountability, flexibility, and single market issues raised by the British government truly exist, and Lithuania will take them into consideration during its EU Council presidency in the second half of this year.
"As a would-be presiding nation, we are willing to take account of the matters, as this will be our concern, as well. However, we are ready to do everything to keep the United Kingdom in the European Union, as Europe needs it. And we believe that the United Kingdom also needs Europe," said the Lithuanian minister.
Over the past few days, key members of Britain's ruling Conservative Party stated that Great Britain should cease EU membership. British Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to hold a referendum on future membership in a few years, saying he would aim to renegotiate membership conditions until then.
Lithuania's presidency over the EU Council in July-December topped the agenda of Linkevičius' visit in London, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said.
According to the press release, Linkevičius noted that Lithuania would focus on restoring EU's financial stability, economic growth and promotion of creation of new jobs, as well as openness in relations with neighbors and strategic partners.
