EP: The Lithuanian presidency priorities

The priorities of the Lithuanian Council Presidency outlined to the different parliamentary committees by Lithuanian ministers this week, from 8-12 July.

Industry, Research and Energy Committee

The completion of the EU's internal energy market, strengthening the external dimension of EU energy policy, completing discussions on the draft directive on biofuels, setting the 2030 framework for energy and climate policies and facilitating discussions on the update of the nuclear safety directive are some of the main priorities for the next six months, Lithuanian Energy Minister Jaroslav Neverovič told the Industry, Research and Energy Committee on Monday.

Achieving a dynamic Single European Digital Market and a deal on the Trans-European Telecommunication Guidelines and moving ahead with the e-signatures directive were some priorities outlined on Tuesday, by Lithuanian Transport and Communications Minister Rimantas Sinkevičius. MEPs also quizzed Economy Minister Evaldas Gustas about his plans for the emissions trading system, energy islands, public procurement, the earth observation programme Copernicus, the satellite navigation system Galileo and EU relations with Russia. The main topics in the debate with Education and Science Minister Dainius Pavalkis were the EU research programme Horizon 2020 and its budget, the brain-drain versus mobility and promoting entrepreneurship.

Internal Market Committee

Improving the functioning of the internal market, creating a genuine digital single market, consumer safety and market surveillance will be key priorities for the Lithuanian EU Presidency, Evaldas Gustas told the Internal Market Committee on 8 July. MEPs welcomed the first Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council and supported its commitment to make every effort to enforce the proper implementation of services directive and to strive for a consumer and SME-friendly regulatory environment.

Development Committee

Starting and concluding negotiations on the EU Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps, the effectiveness and coherence of EU humanitarian action and the resilience agenda are the priorities of the Lithuanian presidency in the field of development policy, Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister Rolandas Kriščiūnas (responsible for humanitarian aid Policy), told the Development Committee on Tuesday. During the debate, MEPs asked questions about the Lithuanian Presidency position on topics including the post-2015 agenda for the Millennium Development Goals, the Development Cooperation Instrument, gendercide and donors' coordination.

Constitutional Affairs Committee

Preparations for the European elections in May 2014, the EU's accession to the European Convention on Human Rights, and the need to make progress on new rules on the statute and funding of European political parties and on committees of inquiry were some of the issues raised by MEPs on the Constitutional Affairs Committee with Lithuanian Deputy Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Vytautas Leškevičius on Tuesday. Some members also mentioned the need to start discussions in the Council on the seat of the European Parliament.

Foreign Affairs Committee
The Lithuanian Presidency intends to be "positively constructive" in furthering ties between the EU and its neighbours, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Antanas Linkevičius told the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday. Its main priority for enlargement and neighbourhood policy will be the Vilnius Eastern Partnership summit in November. The Presidency also aims to open accession talks with Serbia and stabilisation and association agreement talks with Kosovo before the end of the year, and to pursue dialogue with Turkey and Iceland.

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