News

Friday, May 10, Vilnius - At the festive event by the White Bridge, President Dalia Grybauskaitė together with schoolchildren, students and volunteers raised the kite carrying the 11-meter-long and 9-meter-wide flag with the logo of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).

"A kite's flight is the ability to harness the wind for own success. Lithuania is preparing for a special flight during the next half of the year - we will have to work shoulder to shoulder consolidating Europe and looking together for the best solutions. Therefore, the logo of our presidency symbolizes cooperation and stability, and kites are flying wishes for the well-being of Europe" the President said.

The circle and plait with colors of the Lithuanian flag, comprising the logo, refer to a united Europe, cooperation among member states and ability to jointly overcome all emerging challenges. The colors of the logo remind of Lithuania's ties with the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe regions, while a blue stripe of the European Union flag symbolizes common values and work.

Each member state which is presiding over the EU Council chooses the logo of its presidency. In Lithuania, the general public has also been engaged in the process of creating the logo. The proposed idea was elaborated by the designer who created the logo presenting Lithuania's forthcoming presidency.

People across the whole country, kite flying amateur clubs and participants of the creative workshop at the Presidential Palace responded to the President's invitation to fly the kites, together giving a signal that Lithuania is ready for presidency.

Lithuania will take over the Presidency of the EU Council from 1 July.