"This is a crucial visit in the run up to Lithuania's Presidency of the Council in the second half of this year (...) It comes against the backdrop of a challenging economic outlook and also in a particular moment of the democratic calendar", said President Barroso following the meeting in Brussels.
Lithuania will be at the helm of the Council of the European in the last six months before the European Parliament elections in 2014. In light of this, President Barroso insisted that it is important to conclude the fundamental legislative processes during this Presidency. These include implementation of the Compact for Growth and Jobs, construction of the Banking Union and the 2014 objective of fully completing the EU internal energy market. "Good cooperation of the Council with the European Parliament will be essential and, as always, the Commission is there to help", he said.
He urged the Council and Parliament to "move forward in the negotiations, so that we can have the Multiannual Financial Framework up and running in the schedule in principle agreed".
President Barroso also referred to the Eastern Partnership. "I welcome Lithuania's ambition to give a fresh impetus to this very important European Union policy", he said.
He congratulated the Prime Minister for Lithuania's intention to join the euro area in 2015, adding that fiscal consolidation and structural reforms "will help Lithuania in achieving sustainable convergence and in joining the euro".
Finally, the President of European Council welcomed the importance which Lithuania gives to energy challenges, and reaffirmed the Commission's support to Lithuania's ambition to be fully integrated in the EU Baltic region's energy infrastructure.
"I look forward to a fruitful cooperation in the run up to and during the Lithuanian EU Presidency. Let us work together for a stronger Europe", said President Barroso.
Although Lithuanian team is one of the smallest in the history of European Presidency, Prime Minister A. Butkevičius said that the responsibility taken will be implemented smoothly, based on the best practices of the European Union.
During the Presidency, that will begin on July 1, Lithuania will have to focus on the economic and financial situation of the EU and on the measures of economic growth.
