Press release, 28 May 2013
Speaker of the Seimas, Vydas Gedvilas, met with President of the Republic of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who arrived in Lithuania on an official visit. The Speaker of the Seimas stressed that the address of the Estonian President at the Seimas sitting, scheduled in the programme of the official visit, was an exceptional and significant event indeed, one which was eagerly anticipated by Members of the Seimas. Mr Gedvilas was also happy to note that not only did the President have an opportunity to see the historical building of the Seimas but he could also address the Members of the Seimas in the new Plenary Chamber, which technologically is among the most modern in Europe. On that note, the President said, “I envy you.”
The Speaker of the Seimas told briefly about the preparations for the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and expressed hope that Estonia would support Lithuania during the Presidency.
Meanwhile, the President said that his country approved of the targets of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council, which among other include digital agenda, single market and the Eastern Partnership.
President Ilves stressed the need for closer and more intensive cooperation between the parliaments of the three Baltic States, particularly between respective parliamentary committees. He believes there are many important areas, such as energy, transport and others, where joint efforts of the parliamentary committees should deliver more efficient results.
Mr Gedvilas told the President he shared his opinion and expressed hope that the cooperation will be both intensive and efficient during the Lithuanian Presidency and beyond.
Tomas Beržinskas, Adviser to the Speaker of the Seimas, tel: +370 5 239 6019, mob: +370 698 42 786, e-mail: [email protected]
