Kristina Miškinienė, Chair of the Seimas Committee on Social Affairs and Labour, welcomed the Workers’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee to their extraordinary meeting held at the Seimas on 1 July 2013, entitled Social dialogue and rights: a guarantee for a fair society. She thanked the Lithuanian trade unions for their initiative to organise this meeting on a historical occasion for Lithuania, noting that 1 July 2013 is an exceptional day marking the beginning of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Ms Miškinienė expressed her hopes that the country would deal with all the forthcoming challenges in flying colours.

In her address, Kristina Miškinienė made an overview of the social situation in Lithuania, as one of the countries most affected by the crisis in Europe, and covered the intended actions to promote employment. She also signalled that a meeting of Chairpersons of Committees on Social Affairs and Labour of EU Member States, entitled Employment Incentives to Implement the Europe 2020 Strategy, will be held on the initiative of the Seimas Committee on Social Affairs and Labour on 10–11 November 2013 in Vilnius. “In order to address unemployment at the EU level, the meeting will focus on youth employment, mobility, engagement of young people in the labour market, and labour force training,” Ms Miškinienė said.

The Chair of the Committee hoped that the efforts envisaged by the Seimas and the Government, the close cooperation with the trade unions and other EU Member States, and their advice and support during the Presidency would have tangible impact on improving employment and social policy, as well as on promoting economic recovery.

Evelina Bulotaitė, Head of Office of the Committee on Social Affairs and Labour, tel. +370 5 239 6882