Modernization of public administration, especially – digitalizing of public procurement, can become a tool to foster competitiveness in Europe, stressed the EU Internal Market and Industry ministers during the Informal meeting of ministers of the EU Competitiveness Council (Internal Market and Industry) in Vilnius on 22–23 July.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with the European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, Michel Barnier, to discuss the key tasks of the Lithuanian Presidency in strengthening the EU internal market. The focus of the meeting was on further progress in building a banking union.

Lithuanian Finance Minister Rimantas Sadzius took part in the G20 meeting of labour and finance ministers in Moscow on July 19th. The ministers discussed strategies to promote strong and sustainable economic growth while contributing to job creation.

Wednesday, July 17, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius has met with Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde, who is on her visit to Lithuania. The meeting discussed cooperation between the IMF and Lithuania, priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency for the Council of the European Union, Lithuania's intentions to adopt the euro, and the current situation in the eurozone.

Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius argues that Vilnius would be able to have subway only with help from the EU. This metro idea has long been escalated by Vilnius Mayor; however, the city is deeply immersed in debt. According to the Prime Minister, other sources of funding other than the EU will not be available to this project.

The law related to planning of the territories which was arranged by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania will be legalized from January 1 in 2014, informs LETA/ELTA.