"The simplification and implementation of specific Union acts would facilitate economic recovery. Improving the business climate for companies and making their work easier would promote jobs and ensure Europe's economic growth. Streamlining administrative procedures would result in time saving for Europeans," the President said.
Among the other issues discussed at the meeting were the main legal acts to be negotiated during Lithuania's presidency. These initiatives are aimed at improving business conditions. The Presidency will seek progress on the Common European Sales Law which will strengthen the EU internal market. It would allow negotiating the applicable law - EU or national - when entering into transactions.
A package of initiatives has been presented to review the European Trademark System. It will modernize EU trademark registration and make it cheaper, encouraging business activity and introducing more effective trademark protection against counterfeits.
The Lithuanian Presidency tasks also include the facilitation of EU administrative formalities for time saving purposes. Simpler procedures would be applied to public documents related to civil status (such as birth, marriage or death certificates), place of residence, citizenship, nationality, and real estate.
Data protection was also among the items on the meeting agenda. The President underlined that in today's global environment data protection was vitally important not only for countries, but also for individual citizens. Lithuania will seek substantive progress on the data protection package.
The Lithuanian Presidency will initiate discussions and work for a compromise on increasing the number of judges in the EU General Court. Lithuania will continue negotiations within the Council on improving the gender balance among non-executive directors with the ultimate objective of having more women on the corporate boards of European companies.
