LXIX COSAC: Energy independence and the fight against those seeking to impose an autocratic lifestyle on us are still a challenge for us all

Press release, 15 May 2023 

On 14-16 May, a delegation led by Chair of the Seimas Committee on European Affairs Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė and comprising the Committee’s Deputy Chairs Vytautas Gapšys, Arminas Lydeka and Aurelijus Veryga participated in the LXIX Plenary Meeting of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC) in Stockholm.

Photo by Melker Dahlstrand, The Riksdag

‘We have always known that Russia uses energy as a political weapon, therefore we thank our dear Swedish colleagues for initiating a reform of the electricity market which will enable us to overcome future crises. I would also like to express my gratitude for the political agreement reached between the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament on the Anti-Coercion Instrument. This is an extremely important instrument for protecting our economic interests against autocratic countries,’ Ms Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė emphasised.

Recalling instrumentalised migration flows during the crisis, which was triggered by the hybrid attack undertaken by the Belarusian regime, she underlined that there is still much to be done in the area of migration. ‘We are grateful for the support to Ukraine and Moldova and for the understanding that energy independence and the fight against those seeking to impose an autocratic way of life on us are a big challenge for us all,’ Lithuania’s representative stressed.

During the visit, the head of the Seimas delegation, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas and Chair of the Committee on European Affairs Ms Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė, while participating in a rally in support of Ukraine held in the centre of Stockholm, at Norrmalm square, said: ‘Peace was one of the conditions underlying the founding of the European Union, however the war in Ukraine has shown the fragility of peace and of all our lives. The war has affected not only the people of Ukraine, but like every one of us, it has also affected me, my children, who already know what Ukraine is and what we are fighting for. We are particularly grateful for the meetings at which we stand together, both in Vilnius and Stockholm, and speak up for freedom and independence.’

At Sessions I and II of the LXIX Plenary Meeting of COSAC on 15 May, the participants discussed the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU and Europe’s single market, which turns 30 this year.

COSAC stands for the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of the Parliaments of the European Union. The Conference, which is held regularly, enables the national Parliaments and the European Parliament to exchange information and best practices. The Conference may submit any proposal to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.

Sweden holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 January to 31 July 2023.

Prepared by

Aistė Pikiotienė, Adviser, Office of the Committee on European Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, tel. +370 5 239 6864