Budrys discussed the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU at the European ParliamentActivities of the Minister of Foreign AffairsEuropean[...]

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On 4 June in Brussels, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, met with Iratxe García Pérez, the President of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) Group in the European Parliament, and Nicola Procaccini, Co-Chairman of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group in the European Parliament. Meetings with the EP representatives focused on priorities for Lithuania's Presidency of the Council of the EU, the political agenda, and cooperation with the EP in its implementation.

The Minister underlined that Lithuania's presidency will take place in an extremely difficult geopolitical context, which is characterized by security challenges, economic uncertainty, and the need to strengthen Europe's resilience. It was this period that determined the priorities for Lithuania's Presidency, which include strengthening European security and defence, supporting Ukraine, EU enlargement, strengthening competitiveness, social and internal security, migration management, and strengthening the resilience of democratic societies.

"The European Parliament is at the heart of a democratic Europe, where different political traditions meet, but with the common goal of building a stronger, safer, and united Europe. During Lithuania's Presidency, we will seek a close cooperation with all EP political groups to jointly implement the EU's Strategic Agenda for 2024-2029, aiming not only to ensure the security and well-being of the people of the EU, but also to strengthen the Union, which is able to successfully respond to global challenges," said the Minister.

In his meetings with the leadership of the two factions, the Minister also discussed the region's security situation and recent drone incursions into the airspace of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and other frontline states, as well as Russia's ongoing disinformation campaign against the Baltic states. Budrys thanked for the strong support and solidarity of the European Parliament in countering these and previous hybrid attacks against Lithuania and other countries.

During the EP visit, the need to ensure strong long-term support for Ukraine, to accelerate the EU's enlargement processes, especially with regard to the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova, and to boost European defence industrial capabilities, was also discussed. The meeting also highlighted the importance of reducing excessive bureaucracy, promoting innovation, and ensuring that the EU's next multiannual financial framework meets real security and economic needs.

The Minister noted that during its Presidency, Lithuania will act as an honest and impartial mediator seeking to strengthen the unity of the EU and its ability to react quickly to the changing geopolitical environment.

Lithuanian MEPs Vilija Blinkevičiūtė and Vytenis Andriukaitis serve in the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) in the European Parliament, while both Aurelijus Veryga and Valdemaras Tomaševskis serve in the European Conservatives and Reformists Group.