The submission by Lithuania to the Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Frantz Douglas of an Initial Memorandum, setting out Lithuania's position on each OECD legal instrument in force, took place on 21 January in Paris. This is the starting point of technical discussions.

The rule of law and media independence in Poland was discussed during January's plenary session in Strasbourg this week. Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło rejected criticism of her government's policies during the heated debate. Meanwhile Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte vowed to tackle the refugee crisis during a presentation of his country's programme for the EU presidency, while MEPs also called for the sugar content of baby foods to be reduced.

Daiva Raudonienė, Secretary General of the Seimas, visited Israel at the invitation of Ronen Plot, Director General of the Knesset. The Secretary General brought the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Loreta Graužinienė, Speaker of the Seimas, and Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, Speaker of the Knesset, and presented it to Mr Plot.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with foreign ambassadors accredited to Lithuania to discuss the international security situation, trends in the global economy and the challenges facing the international community and Lithuania in 2016.

At the meeting of 14 January 2016, the Committee on European Affairs of the Seimas discussed the initiative by the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia on the draft "green card" concerning the review of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (hereinafter referred to as the Directive). The Committee agreed in principle with the initiative, but in the light of the opinions delivered by the responsible specialised committees of the Seimas recommended to revise some aspects of the proposal.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with influential foreign and security policy experts, analysts, influential political scientists, and public opinion makers taking part in the traditional Snow Meeting.

On 14 January, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius met with the United Kingdom's Minister of State for Europe David Lidington. The meeting focused on issues related to EU reforms, security policy, relations with Russia, the situation in Ukraine and bilateral agenda.

At the meeting of 14 January 2016, the Committee on European Affairs discussed the proposal of the European Parliament for the Council Decision adopting the provisions amending the Act concerning the election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage. Apart from technical aspects, the proposal recommends the amendment of the procedure for establishing constituencies for elections to the European Parliament and of the procedure for the election of the President of the European Commission.

At its meeting on 13 January 2016, the Seimas Committee on Human Rights discussed compliance with the principle of subsidiarity of the Proposal of the European Commission for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States as regards the accessibility requirements for products and services (hereinafter referred to as the Proposal).