News

  Wednesday, October 22, Vilnius - Tomorrow, President Dalia Grybauskaitė will travel to Brussels to attend a European Council meeting taking place on 23-24 December. EU leaders will discuss measures to strengthen energy security of the European Union as well as the EU's climate and energy policy. Among the other points of discussion will be the state of the European economy and foreign policy issues.

According to the President, high dependence of European countries on the single external energy supplier impedes the Union's economic growth and poses a threat to its energy security. Therefore, the strengthening of energy independence, the creation of internal market and the development of energy infrastructure among EU member states are important not only for Lithuania, but also for all other European countries.

EU leaders will also address energy efficiency issues, promotion of the use of renewable energy sources, and will debate measures aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Other issues to be discussed at the meeting will be the situation in Ukraine, trilateral negotiations of the European Commission, Ukraine and Russia for the renewal of gas supplies to Ukraine.

The leaders will also debate common EU measures to fight the Ebola virus, and international efforts to stop the terrorist group "Islamic State". On October 24, Friday, the President will attend a meeting of the euro zone leaders. This is the first time Lithuania is invited to participate in the euro zone summit.

According to the President, Lithuania's joining the euro area is the recognition of resolute decisions of our country. After adopting the euro, Lithuania will become equal in shaping common financial policies of the euro zone member states.