Industry, Research and Energy Committee

The completion of the EU's internal energy market, strengthening the external dimension of EU energy policy, completing discussions on the draft directive on biofuels, setting the 2030 framework for energy and climate policies and facilitating discussions on the update of the nuclear safety directive are some of the main priorities for the next six months, Jaroslav Neverovič, Lithuanian Minister of Energy, told the Industry, Research and Energy Committee on 8 July.

In the chair: Evžen Tošenovský (ECR, CZ)

Internal Market Committee

Improving the functioning of the internal market, creating a genuine digital single market, consumer safety and market surveillance will be key priorities for the Lithuanian Presidency, Evaldas Gustas, Lithuanian Minister of the Economy, told the Internal Market Committee on 8 July. MEPs welcomed the first Lithuanian presidency of the EU Council and supported its commitment to make every effort to enforce the proper implementation of services directive and to strive for a consumer and SME-friendly regulatory environment.

In the chair: Malcolm Harbour (ECR, UK)

Development Committee

Starting and concluding negotiations on the EU Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps, the effectiveness and coherence of EU humanitarian action and the resilience agenda are the priorities of the Lithuanian presidency in the field of development policy, Rolandas Kriščiūnas, Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister (responsible for humanitarian aid Policy), told the Development Committee on Tuesday. During the debate, MEPs asked questions about the Lithuanian Presidency position on topics including the post-2015 agenda for the Millennium Development Goals, the Development Cooperation Instrument, gendercide and donors' coordination.

In the chair: Michèle Striffler (EPP, FR)

Constitutional Affairs Committee

Ppreparations for the European elections in May 2014, the EU's accession to the European Convention on Human Rights, and the need to make progress on new rules on the statute and funding of European political parties and on committees of inquiry were some of the issues raised by MEPs on the Constitutional Affairs Committee with Vytautas Leškevičius, Lithuanian Deputy Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, on Tuesday. Some Members also mentioned the need to start discussions in the Council on the seat of the European Parliament.

In the chair: Carlo Casini (EPP, IT)

Foreign Affairs Committee

The Lithuanian Presidency intends to be "positively constructive" in furthering ties between the EU and its neighbours, Linas Antanas Linkevičius, Lithuanian Foreign Minister, told the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday. Its main priority for enlargement and neighbourhood policy will be the Vilnius Eastern Partnership summit in November. The Presidency also aims to open accession talks with Serbia and stabilisation and association agreement talks with Kosovo before the end of the year, and to pursue dialogue with Turkey and Iceland.

In the chair: Elmar Brok (EPP, DE)

Transport and Tourism Committee

The fourth railway package, deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, the roadworthiness package and air passenger rights were some of the priorities presented by Rimantas Sinkevičius, Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications, on Tuesday. MEPs urged the incoming presidency to keep rail reform as a package and to make progress on the airport package and the implementation of the Single European Sky.

In the chair: Brian Simpson (S&D, UK)

Employment and Social Affairs Committee

Employment, especially youth employment, creating a European platform to combat undeclared work, protection of workers, particularly posted workers, and pensions portability were among the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency, Algimanta Pabedinskienė, Lithuanian Minister for Social Security and Labour, told the Employment and Social Affairs Committee on Tuesday. MEPs stressed the need to reach agreement on the Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) and the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived so that they can be operational from the beginning of 2014. After the series of measures taken to strengthen economic and monetary governance it was time to boost the social dimension, the minister said.

In the chair: Pervenche Berès (S&D, FR)

Justice and Home Affairs Committee

The “Smart Borders” package, the EU Passenger Name Record (EU PNR) directive, cyber-security and the directive on entry conditions for foreign students and researchers were some of the Lithuanian Presidency’s key priorities in the area of home affairs, said Dailis Barakauskas, Lithuanian Interior Minister,. He also highlighted the seasonal workers and intra-corporate transferees directives, which should be adopted soon. Replying to MEPs questions, he pointed out that a majority of EU countries are against the proposed Europol-Cepol merger and said the presidency would work for the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area.

Data protection reform was the key priority in the area of justice, said Justice Minister Juozas Bernatonis. The presidency would work towards an agreement, he told MEPs, adding however that "quick results should not come at the expense of the quality of the legislation". The presidency hopes to reach agreement on the directive on the confiscation of criminal assets and to make progress on files including the fight against fraud by means of criminal law, protection of the euro against counterfeiting and the European Investigation Order. The reform of Eurojust and the future proposal on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor's Office will also be under examination.

In the chair: Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, ES)

Agriculture committee

Conclusion of the EU farm policy reform, adoption of transitional measures for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2014 and progress on the animal and plant health package would be top priorities for the Lithuanian presidency, Virgilijus Jukna, Lithuanian agriculture minister, told the Agriculture Committee on Tuesday. MEPs quizzed the minister about the Council's room for manoeuvre regarding the package of still pending CAP reform issues such as capping direct payments for bigger farms, discussed the impact of free trade talks with the US on EU agriculture and raised the issue of imports of genetically modified beans.

In the chair: Paolo De Castro (S&D, IT)

Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee

Rimantas Šadžius, Lithuanian Minister of Finance, told the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee that the presidency's priorities for an "open, growing and credible Europe" could only be achieved through "effective cooperation with the European Parliament". The overarching objective was to achieve economic growth which would ensure SMEs had access to funding, jobs were created, young people could find employment and citizens could enjoy a better quality of life, he said. MEPs stressed the need to make progress on files currently on hold at the Council and asked how Mr Šadžius would inject fresh impetus into various directives, including the Deposit Guarantee Scheme, Single Resolution Mechanism, Banking Union and Mortgage Credit Instrument, as well as stepping up the fight against tax evasion. The Lithuanian Presidency would work with Parliament to create "sound, transparent and resilient financial markets" that protected both taxpayers and investors", Mr Šadžius concluded.

In the chair: Sharon Bowles (ALDE, UK)

REF. : 20130708IPR16832

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