She was asked to specify her expectations from the speech the United Kingdom's Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to make about the perspective of Britain's relations with the EU.
"Of course, Europe is in a very unusual situation, all Europe, we do face some economic and financial difficulties but precisely because of them Europe needs to be closer, more integrated and even more competitive. It will not be useful for the UK and Europe if one of the largest countries leaves. And I think especially for the UK, now that it also faces some economic difficulties. So new challenges would not be useful at all neither politically nor economically. So we all wish for the UK to stay and we welcome the UK in the European Union," the Lithuanian president said.
Grybauskaitė also said that the so-called two-speed Europe was "entirely impossible." The Lithuanian president emphasized that the Lisbon treaty envisaged that key decisions in the European Union, for example, regarding the financial perspective, should be made by unanimous vote.
"That means each country has the same level and possibility to influence decision-making. Some countries already have opt-outs in some areas, a Schengen zone or judiciary, for example. This concerns the UK. But, in general, we all need to be more integrated if we want to have stronger Europe," Grybauskaitė said in Denmark.
