Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė met with Mairead McGuinness, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union. The meeting focused on the implementation of the European Union sanctions against Russia and Belarus, their impact and the Community’s further steps.

On 7-8 July 2022, a Lithuania-initiated high-level Frontline Democracies meeting was held in Vilnius. During the event, participants discussed the challenges facing democracy around the world, possible ways to solve them and further cooperation. Most of the participants came from traditionally more distant, small and medium-sized democratic communities, which a) have recently undergone a democratic transition, b) are democratic success stories in the context of their regions, or c) have taken leadership in the fight against crimes perpetrated by authoritarian regimes. All participants of the event were united by the fact that in one form or another they represent democratic communities at the frontline of a fight against authoritarianism.

Ukraine did not postpone reforms until victory is achieved over Russia, which launched a devastating war, but has accelerated them to rebuild an even better Ukraine, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė stated in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano, noting that it is now the turn of Ukraine's friends and partners to prove that we can swiftly shift from discussions to actions.

On Thursday, President Gitanas Nausėda opened a conference dedicated to mark the centenary of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and the USA.

MEPs adopted new digital rules, discussed how to tackle the rising cost of living and called for action on mental health during the 4-7 July plenary session.

MEPs welcomed the decision to open the EU’s doors to Ukraine and Moldova, but asked leaders to strengthen the EU, and tackle the latest crisis.

Find out how enlargement works and how countries can join the European Union.

On Monday, President Gitanas Nausėda met with Richard Joseph Durbin, the United States Senator and Co-Chair of the Baltic Caucus.

President Gitanas Nausėda continues his visit to the European Council in Brussels. On Thursday, the European leaders agreed to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova.

Countries should use the more than €700 billion available under EU recovery plans to adapt to new social and economic realities, MEPs say.