Vytautas Gapšys, Deputy Chair of the Committee on European Affairs, took part in COSAC Chairpersons’ meeting: Lithuania is committed to helping Sweden achieve its Presidency objectives

Press release, 30 January 2023 

On 29–30 January 2023, Vytautas Gapšys, Deputy Chair of the Seimas Committee on European Affairs, participated in the meeting of the Chairpersons of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC) in Stockholm, Sweden. This was the first parliamentary dimension event organised by the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) since 1 January 2023.

The meeting covered the Swedish Presidency priorities and discussed cooperation at EU level in the fight against organised crime.

In welcoming the Swedish Presidency and in support of Sweden’s accession to NATO, Mr Gapšys noted that Sweden’s initiatives largely corresponded to those on which Lithuania’s policy was focused of late. According to the Deputy Chair of the Seimas Committee on European Affairs, Lithuania is determined to help Sweden achieve its Presidency objectives.

While addressing the specific priorities of the Swedish Presidency, Mr Gapšys highlighted that the EU should first of all remain united and play a significant strategic role in further assisting Ukraine. ‘Ukraine’s reconstruction and the associated reform agenda are closely linked to the country’s prospect of EU membership,’ Mr Gapšys said and added that ‘we must remain flexible and ready to adapt the size of our financial assistance to the ever-changing situation in Ukraine.’

‘The recent period has revealed that energy and natural resources tend to be used as a new form of weaponry,’ Mr Gapšys noted. The EU has already taken important first steps to strengthen its energy independence from Russia. However, according to the Deputy Chair, the development of renewable energy must rank among the top priorities for the EU, should it want to achieve the goal completely. ‘Not only would this help to tackle climate change, but also assist in gaining energy independence from states governed by undemocratic regimes,’ Mr Gapšys claimed.

Photos by Simona Jankauskaitė, Office of the Seimas

In the context of the Single Market initiatives, the Member of the Seimas drew the attention of the audience to two key proposals for the Swedish Presidency, namely, the proposal to extend the liberalisation of the trade with Ukraine and the proposal to increase the EU’s resilience by reducing the European dependence on China (EU anti-coercion instrument).

Ultimately, as Mr Gapšys pointed out, joint solutions at EU level must lead to the restoration of peace in Europe, while providing all the necessary assistance to Ukraine, targeted enhancement of the EU’s economic competitiveness globally, and the EU’s increased resilience to possible crises ahead.

Photo by Simona Jankauskaitė, Office of the Seimas

The COSAC Conference brings together representatives of the committees in charge of European affairs in the EU Member States and the European Parliament. The aim of the COSAC Chairpersons’ meeting is to prepare for the COSAC Plenary. In addition, the Chairpersons discuss topical EU policy matters in view of the Presidency priorities and address issues related to the involvement of national Parliaments in EU affairs.

Sweden holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 January to 30 June 2023.

Simona Jankauskaitė, Adviser, Office of the Seimas Committee on European Affairs, tel. +370 5 239 6847.