“The first formal Justice and Home Affairs Council, held during the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) in Luxembourg, has achieved great results. Within a very short period of time the agreement was reached on a unified position regarding the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on protection of the euro and other currencies against counterfeiting by criminal law. It is very important for Lithuania, which plans to adopt the euro,” said Juozas Bernatonis, Minister of Justice, presenting the report at the meeting of the Committee on European Affairs following the meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council of 7–8 October.

Mr Bernatonis gave much focus to the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office which should be independent and accountable to the EU institutions. Lithuania is positive about setting-up of the Office.

Dailis Barakauskas, Minister of the Interior, also presented his report on the interior affairs.

Elzė Lagunavičiūtė, Adviser, Committee on European Affairs, tel. +370 5 239 6847, e-mail: [email protected]

Morta Vidūnaitė, Adviser to Gediminas Kirkilas, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6278, mob. +370 612 01121, e-mail: [email protected]