"We, Lithuanians, dare say that we have done an excellent job! Several weeks ago H. E. Mr Kornel Willem Spaans, Dutch Ambassador to Lithuania, who represents the country that had held the Presidency of the Council of the EU for as many as 11 times, argued that the Netherlands would like to learn from the Lithuanian Presidency experience," said the Chair of the Committee on European Affairs.
"Lithuania will not only share her good experience with the Dutch, but, what is even more, she could also replace Greece in its Presidency mission, on condition that the latter pays all the Presidency bills. In fact, we are very unhappy that our Presidency term has already expired since we feel so delighted to hear everyone's compliments concerning our successful Presidency. We like the idea that, for instance, the aspiration of Ukrainian society for democratic changes is Lithuania's exceptional merit," Gediminas Kirkilas joked during the meeting.
Mr Kirkilas suggested that most significant achievements of the Lithuanian Presidency included the final agreements regarding the 2014 EU budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 and the Single Resolution Mechanism.
"We are proud even of having the opportunity to hold the Presidency prior to Estonia and Latvia, although this is not Lithuania's exceptional merit. Nevertheless, I am convinced that the Presidency of the Council of the EU has freed Lithuania and its citizens from numerous complexes stemming from history and the complicated Soviet past. We feel less and less need to prove to ourselves and to the old European democracies that we are not worse. Lithuania is rapidly growing and making progress as a state, and the Presidency is an obvious proof of that. We had to mobilise so many human resources for one goal, and we have achieved great success," said Mr Kirkilas.
If the number of the EU Member States remains the same, Lithuania should hold the Presidency of the Council again in 2027, i. e., 14 years later.
