Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas: our objective is the EU’s internal unity and responsible external action

Press release, 11 October 2017

Photo of the Secretariat of the Speaker of the Seimas

On 10 October 2017, Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas, had a Brussels-based meeting with Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament. They discussed the future of the EU, cooperation with the Eastern Partnership countries, and the most important aspects of energy, economy and security policy.

“Currently the EU is facing serious challenges. Our fundamental interest lies in further strengthening of the European project, unity within the EU, and effective and responsible action in external relations. We are committed to the strengthening of the European defence in full coherence with NATO. We have also decided to join permanent structured cooperation (PESCO). Cyber security is particularly relevant in this context, and we support all initiatives in this area. Importantly, the EU recognises the threat posed by disinformation to Member States and Europe as a whole,” said Mr Pranckietis.

The Speaker of the Seimas noted the need for keeping unity and continuing support for reform processes in the Eastern Partnership countries. Apart from this, he and Antonio Tajani discussed the Marshall Plan for Ukraine drawn up by Lithuania.

The Speaker of the Seimas also highlighted the security issue related to the Astravyets nuclear power plant in Belarus. He called on the President of the European Parliament to promote solidarity among EU Member States on the issue and to very clearly and unanimously require full compliance with international nuclear safety and environmental standards. Viktoras Pranckietis noted that Lithuania’s position on electricity generated by unsafe power plants had been enshrined in law. He also underlined the incompatibility of Nord Stream 2 with EU legal rules and principles of the Energy Union.

Further discussion involved the issues related to the future EU financial framework and Lithuania’s priorities.

During his visit to Brussels, the Speaker of the Seimas also met with Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President of the European Commission. Mr Pranckietis’ agenda includes the meetings with David McAllister, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament; Christine Defraigne, Chairman of the Senate of the Kingdom of Belgium; Siegfried Bracke, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Belgium; and Vytenis Andriukaitis, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

Paulius Žeimys, Assistant to the Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6030, mob. +370 609 36 497, e-mail: [email protected]