The president and committee members discussed key tasks of the upcoming EU presidency on Thursday.
The president named talks on the 2014-2020 EU budget with the European Parliament among the most important tasks in the upcoming six months. It is important to negotiate a budget as soon as possible for member states to receive EU financial support in time, Grybauskaite underlined.
"According to the president, Lithuania will continue efforts during its presidency to implement the European Fiscal Pact and the Stability and Growth Pact. The reduction of the budget deficit, fiscal discipline remain a guarantee for Europe's economic stability and growth. According to the head of state, Lithuanian will pursue progress in creating a banking union and a single banking reform mechanism," the Presidential Office said in a statement.
The meeting also touched upon Lithuania's aspiration for energy independence and the importance of a common EU energy policy. Grybauskaite underlined that the Lithuanian EU presidency will continue efforts for the creation of a single EU energy market and the elimination of energy islands. Talking about urgent tasks, she mentioned the implementation of the EU's Third Energy Package which would ensure competitive prices.
An Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November will be one of the key events during the Lithuanian presidency. An Association Agreement with Ukraine is expected to be signed and an analogue agreement with Moldova, Georgia and Armenia should be initialed during the Lithuanian EU presidency.
The Lithuanian EU presidency will be launched with a presentation of its priorities in the European Parliament in Strasbourg and the European Commission's visit to Vilnius.
Around 200 meetings, attended by over 30,000 people, are scheduled to take place in Lithuania during the EU presidency.
