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President Dalia Grybauskaitė, performing her duty under Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania to give an overview of the situation of the country and the status of internal and foreign policies of the state, has delivered the State of the Nation Address in the Seimas.

In her third State of the Nation Address, the President underscored the importance and lack of continuity of work agenda and stressed the necessity to agree on the most important work and the decisions critical for the country in all areas of the state's life.
 
"It is the lack of agreement that prevents us from moving on faster. To put it more precisely, it does not allow us to break away from the vicious circle of unfinished work - a circle that, year after year, keeps us going round, wasting energy, time and money. We start things but do not finish them. In a democracy, there is a diversity of opinions and political forces, and the right of decision making is passed on from hands to hands. Therefore, if we want to have results, we must have agreement on the most important work to be done and its continuity," the President underlined.

The President invited all political forces to agree on the core principles, not to cancel or delay important undertakings only because they were launched under another political banner.
 
According to the President, to ensure stability in the country and prevent irresponsible spending we need an agreement on implementing financial discipline, encouraging competitive business models and clear social policy.
 
Broad political agreement is also needed for successful implementation of energy projects, which will reduce Lithuania's dependency on a single supplier, ensure competitive prices, economic and political independence of the country. This includes the construction of a liquefied gas terminal, development of renewable energy resources and nuclear power, and restructuring of the heating sector.
 
For confidence in justice it is important to further improve the judicial system, ensure the independence and accountability of law enforcement structures, and to combat resolutely illicit enrichment and corruption.

"The key anti-corruption instruments have already been developed. Now they need to be put into action, with no exceptions or privileges for either the ruling parties or the opposition. No exceptions to anybody," the President said.

According to the President, we should continue using smartly foreign policy to safeguard national interests.
 
"The changing geopolitical situation and national interests require a creative foreign policy and smart diplomacy. I put the priority not on ceremonious meetings or solemn declarations, but on constructive dialogue and value-based coordination of interests. I expect Lithuanian diplomats to contribute to this foreign policy course," the President said.

This year we will need smart diplomacy as we work hard for a package beneficial to Lithuania in the EU's new financial framework. But Lithuania's presidency of the European Union to start next summer will require the utmost mobilization of our efforts.
 
The President called on her fellow citizens to participate actively and responsibly in the elections to be held this coming autumn, and invited the politicians to compete on the level of political ideas, competence and work performed, not only political donations.
 
"Let us agree that first and foremost we will carry high the interests of our country and its people. And that we will walk in the same direction either on the left or right side of the road," the President said in concluding her State of the Nation Address.