News

 European Union (EU) membership conveys not only rights but also responsibilities. One of those is represented by the presidency of the Council of the EU. All 28 EU Member States in turn take up the presidency for a six month period, in order to chair the process of the creation of EU rules. Lithuania for the first time will assume this task from the 1st of July to the 1st of January. The main responsibility of the Presidency is to preside over the creation of EU legislation, a task shared with the European Parliament, to ensure the continuity of the EU agenda, orderly legislative processes, and to represent the interests of all the Member States. The rotating Presidency heads the EU Council and its preparatory bodies (working parties and committees), and organises various formal and informal meetings in Brussels as well as in the country of the rotating Presidency. The rotating Presidency hosts discussions in the EU Council and seeks the broad consensus of its members during debates on important matters for the entire EU, while making decisions. The rotating Presidency represents the EU Council in relations with other EU institutions, especially the European Commission and the EP, and it also shapes its relations with other EU institutions. The rotating Presidency is an opportunity to prove that the country is an honest and reliable partner, in order to enhance its positive image. The rotating Presidency also provides an opportunity to promote the interests of society in EU membership, and to involve citizens in the decision making process. President Dalia Grybauskaitė congratulates the people of Lithuania on gaining confidence of the international community and wishes unity and patience in discharging these important and responsible duties.

"A historic six-month period for which we all have been long and responsibly preparing begins - Lithuania is the first of the Baltic States to take over Presidency of the EU Council. I would like to congratulate all of you on this start and to wish success, persistence and patience. Lithuania is embarking on a very responsible and challenging mission - at a difficult for Europe moment to coordinate the decisions important for 28 countries, the decisions that are vital to each and every European citizen today," the President said. According to the President, the agenda of the Lithuanian EU Presidency features issues critical to people in all member states. Joint efforts will be needed to ensure more rapid implementation of the EU's multiannual budget, reduction of youth unemployment, elimination of energy islands, and more secure neighborhood. Presidency is a unique opportunity to reveal to Europe everything Lithuania can be proud of - skills and capabilities of our people, beauty and achievements of our state, the President noted. The President invites Lithuanian people to be hospitable, respectful and attentive to our guests that they could get the best impressions about Lithuania.