Ahead of the summit, the Lithuanian President together with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Council President José Manuel Barroso will hold a coordination meeting to discuss the most topical issues on the European Council agenda and align the positions.
At this year's last meeting of the European Council Grybauskaitė will present the results of Lithuania's EU Council Presidency and will review with European leaders the progress achieved in ensuring economic growth and financial stability in the EU as well as a more secure life for European citizens.
According to the President, in spite of external pressures and consequences of the crisis, very important agreements for Europe's future have been reached during the six-month period of the Lithuanian EU Presidency.
Agreement was achieved with the European Parliament on the EU's multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020, including on 56 of 63 legal acts needed for its implementation; priority energy projects were adopted; compromise was found on the single resolution and supervisory mechanisms; the Eastern Partnership programme gained a new impulse.
European leaders will exchange views on the situation in Ukraine and the progress in negotiations with Eastern Partnership and Western Balkan countries.
After a five-year break, European leaders will return to the Common Security and Defence Policy issues. Discussion will address new threats to Europe's security, prospects of strengthening its defence industry and military capabilities as well as ensuring stability in the EU's neighborhood. Taking part in the discussion will also be NATO's Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
Leaders of EU member states will also be presented the Commission's Annual Growth Survey, country-specific evaluations and recommendations for a faster economic recovery. The last summit this year plans to endorse agreement on the single resolution mechanism which has been coordinated by finance ministers.
Positions of importance to the Baltic-Nordic region will be discussed at a traditional meeting of the heads of state or government of the Baltic and Nordic countries (NB6). The President will also hold a bilateral meeting with the new Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, to exchange views on the EU's economic and financial policies and Lithuania's preparations for Euro adoption.
On the eve of the European Council meeting, President will participate in the closing cultural event of Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union - audio-visual performance "Sandglasses" by composer Justė Janulytė which will take place at the Flagey Art Centre in Brussels. 500 events introducing Lithuania's culture have been held in various countries during its Presidency of EU Council.
