On Monday the Plenary Chamber of the Seimas housed the first parliamentary dimension event in the framework of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union – the Meeting of the Chairpersons of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC).
In his presentation, Linas Linkevičius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, underlined that the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council include a credible, growing and open Europe.
Mr Linkevičius said that the Lithuanian priorities of the Presidency take into consideration the priorities of the preceding Presidencies and aim at continuing the work that has already been started. The Minister stressed the issues of financial discipline, unemployment, especially youth unemployment, energy security and the Eastern Partnership. Mr Linkevičius highly appreciated the support of national Parliaments and the European Parliament which should contribute to a successful Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
At the Meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC, Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission, made a speech titled Towards a Political and Economic Union: Next Steps. Mr Šefčovič said that the establishment of the Economic and Monetary Union and introduction of the Euro are the cornerstones of European integration. He believes this will be a task of several Presidencies.
The Vice-President of the Commission highlighted that the financial crisis revealed our weaknesses and demonstrated which actions should be taken seeking to strengthen this system. He maintains that the outcomes of the financial crisis obviously need to be tackled, but that it is also necessary to tighten the regime of economic governance and reconstruct the foundations of the Economic and Monetary Union.
Mr Šefčovič explained that the crisis was successfully managed and that confidence in the EU’s economy is gradually being restored. However, today the economic growth is too slow while the rate of unemployment is really high. Therefore, it is necessary to continue the work that has been started and enhance the cooperation in the Economic and Monetary Union.
While expressing his appreciation for participation and useful discussions, the Chairman of the Meeting, Gediminas Kirkilas, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas and Chair of the Committee on European Affairs, invited the Chairpersons of COSAC to the jubilee L COSAC Meeting in Vilnius on 27–29 October 2013.
source: www.eu2013.lt
fot. www.skupstina.me
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