Lithuanian Presidency: a step forward to growth and new challenges

“For the first time, Lithuania will take the reins of the European Union. Your history, your vision and your position will be precious tools for rising to the challenges ahead of you”, said Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, welcoming the Lithuanian Presidency of the European Union in Strasbourg today. “As a political Group of this Parliament, we will be at your sides as an active and vigilant partner.”

“Holding the EU presidency is not just about big projects. It is also about implementing, seeing through the decisions that have already been taken. And in this, the new approaches taken by each presidency are precious. We would be wrong to underestimate this aspect as it is just as important as major negotiations”, Daul added.

Vytautas Landsbergis MEP, Head of the Lithuanian Delegation of the EPP Group, stated: “As it happens, Lithuania became a forerunner of the Union's policy of unbundling energy matters, thus turning them from temptations of dictate and requested obedience to fairness and cooperation. This has been achieved, let's continue. We have Lithuanian expertise in fighting the Soviet propaganda weapon which could be useful today if required".

“Lithuania, I believe, will urge the Union to keep its doors open to those Eastern neighbours interested in democracy, and to firmly disagree with continued attempts to redraw the European political map”, concluded Landsbergis.