On Wednesday, the Budgets Committee set out its position on the reform of the EU’s long-term budget, emphasizing the urgency to future-proof the EU budget.

Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Gen Bryan P. Fenton and an accompanying delegation were conducting a visit in Lithuania this week. Gen Bryan P. Fenton had meetings with Chief of Defence Gen Valdemaras Rupšys, Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas, and representatives of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces at which the cooperation between Lithuanian and U.S. Special Operations Forces was addressed.

Ministers are holding a series of meetings in parliamentary committees to present the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council.

Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė congratulated the new Minister of Latvia, Evika Siliņa, on Friday. Prime Minister I. Šimonytė wished the Latvian Prime Minister E. Silina and the cabinet of ministers every success.

On Wednesday, President Gitanas Nausėda took part in the Krynica Forum opening event and participated in a debate together with President Andrzej Duda of Poland.

In the annual State of the European Union debate, MEPs quizzed President von der Leyen on the Commission’s work in the past and its plans until the June 2024 elections.

On 8 September, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis met with the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for An Economy that Works for People and the European Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis, who was visiting Lithuania.

The European Parliament today approved the appointment of Iliana Ivanova (Bulgaria) as Commissioner for innovation, research, culture, education and youth.

On Friday, President Gitanas Nausėda met with Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis to discuss the agenda for the new EU political season, support for Ukraine, the use of frozen Russian assets for rebuilding Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, and Russia's accountability for crimes of aggression.

MEPs will scrutinise the work of the European Commission on 13 September to ensure the EU addresses Europeans’ key concerns. Follow the State of the EU debate live.