Europe needs a binding permanent system for relocating refugees, EP President Martin Schulz told heads of state and government at the start of a European Council dedicated to migration. "European solidarity is about sharing responsibilities and leaving no-one alone," he said. The summit on 15-16 October will also deal with the economic and monetary union, the UK's referendum on the EU as well as Turkey and Syria.

At the end of her visit in Germany on Thursday, Loreta Graužinienė, Speaker of the Seimas, met with Wolfgang Hellmich, Chairman of the Defence Committee of the Bundestag. They discussed bilateral cooperation, strengthening of regional security, and new challenges for the EU and NATO. Considerable attention was given to the regulation of the Ukrainian crisis, support to Eastern Partnership countries, and refugee matters.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė will be travelling to Israel on an official visit on October 19-21. She will be accompanied by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Economy as well as by the Chair of the Jewish Community of Lithuania, Faina Kukliansky.

October 15, President Dalia Grybauskaitė will travel to Brussels where the European Council will discuss topical EU issues – EU follow-up actions to resolve the refugee crisis, the situation in Syria, issues related to strengthening the European Monetary Union, and Britain's planned referendum on EU membership.

On 13 October in Rokiškis, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius congratulated Poland's outgoing President Bronisław Komorowski on becoming an honorary citizen of Rokiškis and highlighted the importance of friendly ties between Lithuania and Poland.

A huge protest rally 'Against unjust social and educational policy' will take place on 16th October by the Government's building in Vilnius.

MEPs vote this week on Parliament's position regarding December's climate change conference in Paris as well as on measures to tackle the refugee crisis during the plenary session on Wednesday. In addition the agriculture committee votes on a plan to improve the reliability of EU labels on organic food, while the three finalists of this year's Sakharov Prize will also be presented this week. Also EP President Martin Schulz will address the European Council on Thursday.

In a meeting, members of the Seimas, Marija Aušrinė Pavilionienė, Giedrė Purvaneckienė and Dalia Kuodytė, and the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Margo Wallström, discussed the legal situation of women in Lithuania, achievement of gender equality in the labour market and opportunities for international cooperation in addressing women's issues.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius met with European Commission Vice-President, Andrus Ansip, to discuss developments in the EU digital single market, promotion of innovations and job creation in the EU Member States.

French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel debated with MEPs the challenges facing Europe, from the refugee crisis to the situation in Syria, during October's first plenary session. MEPs also discussed the Volkswagen scandal with the European Commission, which is preparing new legislation to tighten vehicle testing. In addition the refugee crisis was discussed with European Council President Donald Tusk, following September's extraordinary EU summit.