News

Thursday, February 7, Vilnius - President Dalia Grybauskaitė, currently attending a special European Council meeting, says it is necessary to reach an agreement on the European Union's budget for the period 2014 - 2020 as it would serve to boost economic growth and promote competitiveness of all member states.

"Agreement on the multiannual financial framework of the European Union is necessary. We will have to seek compromise sooner or later. The later the budget is approved, the later the member states will receive support. The EU financial support comprises around one-quarter of our national budget and is very important to Lithuania's economy," the President says before negotiations of the EU leaders.

The President also thanked the Lithuanian farmers who came to Brussels for their support in negotiating the EU budget.

Failing to reach agreement on the multiannual financial framework last November, negotiations were suspended. According to the President, a fairer allocation of the EU support is the underling objective of Lithuania. Our country also seeks to achieve that the support in 2014 - 2020 is not less than in the current period 2007-2013.

In these negotiations three positions in terms of financing are core to Lithuania - structural funds, agriculture and decommissioning of the Ignalina nuclear power plant. The most important task, the President notes, is to strive that the overall level of support is in the best interest of our country.

The President underlined that in allocating the EU budget account must be taken of the impact of economic crisis, a country's efforts in managing finances and its capacity to assimilate the EU support. The Baltic Countries were mostly affected by the economic crisis, yet they became a role model for the entire European Union of strict financial discipline and responsible dealing with finances.

The European Council meeting will also address the issues of EU's trade policy with third countries. EU leaders plan to discuss the progress in negotiations on free trade agreements with Moldova, Georgia and Armenia, as well as possibilities to sign a free trade agreement as part of an Association Agreement with Ukraine. Final decisions regarding these agreements can be taken during Lithuania's Presidency of the EU Council.

The agenda of the meeting also includes foreign policy issues. The EU leaders will hold discussions on the situation in Syria and Mali, and will assess developments two years after the start of the "Arab Spring".

Press Service of the President