Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite on Monday appointed Virginijus Sinkevicius, chairman of the parliamentary Economic Committee and a member of the ruling Lithuanian Farmers and Green Union, as the country's economy minister.

Four new Defence Attachés have been accredited to Lithuania at ceremonies at the Ministry of National Defence to Lithuania – of Bulgaria, Austria, Albania and Korea.

Only by rethinking our health systems can we ensure that they remain fit-for-purpose and provide patient-centred care. This is what the 28 Country Health Profiles published today by the Commission, along with the Companion Report suggest. The reports provide an in-depth analysis of EU Member States' health systems. They look at the health of the population and important risk factors, as well as at the effectiveness, accessibility and resilience of health systems in each EU member state. The reports clearly reflect shared objectives across the member states, and reveal potential areas where the Commission can encourage mutual learning and exchange of good practices.

On 23 November in Brussels, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius met with the Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister and Knut Fleckenstein, Member of the European Parliament, who is one of the drafters of the European Parliament’s recommendations for the Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels.

Constitutional Affairs MEPs improve transparency and proper use of public funds in a revamp of the rules for funding European political parties.

President Antonio Tajani and MEPs representing Parliament’s political groups visited Bulgaria on 21 November to discuss the country’s upcoming EU Council presidency.

On 20 November in Vilnius, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithaunia Linas Linkevičius met with the Speaker of the Riksdag of the Kingdom of Sweden Urban Ahlin, who is visiting Lithuania.

This week MEPs discuss a ban on glyphosate, vote on new rules for an easier distribution of online TV and radio programmes and participate in a conference on Africa.

Sometimes foreign companies that want access to the EU market sell their products at abnormally low prices: lower than the prices charged for home consumption, which harms European producers. Dumping prices can be because of lack of competition in the country where the product was produced, heavy state interference in the production process or even because the company in question disregarded international labour and environmental standards.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė attends the European Council meeting to discuss measures to be undertaken by the EU and its member states in fighting against social exclusion, reducing unemployment and ensuring better working conditions for European people.