President of the Republic of Lithuania,

Speaker of the Seimas,

Prime Minister,

President Valdas Adamkus,

Former Heads of State,

Distinguished Guests,

Fellow Europeans, 

 

The parliamentary dimension of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the beginning of which we mark today, is an example of active engagement of the Lithuanian Seimas in the Union affairs. During this half of the year, the Seimas will hold nine events of the parliamentary dimension and eleven additional events related to the Presidency. These events reflect the current developments in the European Union and Lithuania’s priorities. The Seimas is an active player in the European political decision-making. The policy of parliamentary scrutiny established and implemented in Lithuania has served its purpose and is in compliance with the principle of the separation of powers. I am convinced that the EU national Parliaments should further play an active role in the European decision-making, initiating public discussions and shaping public opinion.

 

European society, shocked by the economic hardships, must be duly and responsibly involved in the decision-making process. Timely and open dialogue between politicians and the electorate allows reducing anonymity of European Union decisions and generating a better climate of confidence.

 

During the Lithuanian Presidency, the Seimas will hold meetings of sectoral committees of the EU Parliaments on topical matters in the areas of agriculture, foreign policy, environment, social affairs and labour, regional cooperation and European multilingualism. Moreover, the Seimas will organise two inter-parliamentary conferences. The Inter-parliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy will discuss closer interaction between foreign and defence policies, as well as the prospects for transatlantic cooperation.

In addition, the Seimas will have the honour of hosting the inaugural meeting of the new inter-parliamentary conference established under Article 13 of the European Fiscal Compact. During the conference, which we propose to call as the Inter-parliamentary Conference on Economic and Financial Governance of the European Union, we will discuss the means to restore the economic growth, further prospects for deepening the Economic and Monetary Union, as well as the creation of the banking union and the continuation of structural reforms. We are looking forward to welcoming our fellow colleagues, members of EU national Parliaments and the European Parliament to Vilnius and hope that our activities will prove to be productive and creative.

 

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

The representatives of the national Parliaments of the Presidency Trio, i.e. Lithuania, Ireland and Greece, will soon sign the Vilnius Declaration. This document is aimed at further promoting the potential of the European Union for necessary changes in the areas of economic competitiveness and structural reforms.

 

We welcome the cooperation between the EU and neighbouring countries with a view to achieving genuine partnership and regional stability. The Declaration also underlines the importance of an open public discussion on the future of the European Union. I believe that the Declaration will be one more step towards a stronger and more united Europe.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The European Union was born where conflicts were resolved, and where new hopes and the desire to live a different life emerged. Let us hope and create our Union which is capable of tackling future challenges and preserving European cultural traditions.

 

Thank you.