On 9 July, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius presenting the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the field of enlargement at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) of the European Parliament stressed that EU enlargement had to continue, while progress made by countries on their path to EU membership would depend on individual merits.

Tuesday, July 9, Vilnius - On Thursday, July 11, at 10 a.m., President Dalia Grybauskaitė will meet with Joachim Gauck, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, arriving on a state visit to Lithuania at the invitation of Lithuania's President. It is the third state visit by a foreign head of state to Lithuania this year.

The following is a summary of the priorities of the Lithuanian Council Presidency outlined to the different parliamentary committees by Lithuanian ministers this week, from 8 to 12 July. This text is going to be updated daily

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius met with the Macedonian Prime minister Nikola Gruevski to discuss the Lithuanian presidency of the EU Council, the Macedonian progress in implementing internal reforms and further integration into the EU and NATO, bilateral relations. The meeting happened on 8th of July in Vilnius.

Friday, July 5, Vilnius - President Dalia Grybauskaitė held a meeting with the President of the European Commission (EC), José Manuel Barroso, who arrived on an official visit to Lithuania. The meeting centered on key priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Croatia was welcomed as the 28th member state in an another eventful plenary, while Lithuania replaced Ireland at the helm of the European Union. Parliament voted in favour of Latvia joining the eurozone, gave the green light to a political deal on the EU's long-term budget and selected Emily O'Reilly as the first woman to be EU ombudsman. Other hot topics included Hungary, Bulgaria and Prism, while Cuban dissident Guillermo Fariñas finally picked up his 2010 Sakharov Prize in person.

Today, during the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg, the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė officially started the Lithuanian presidency of the EU Council. During this opening event, various speakers declared their expectations, including the president of the EU Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and members of the European Parliament.

Today, July 3 in Strasbourg President Dalia Grybauskaitė will officially launch Lithuania's Presidency of the EU Council. She will hold a meeting with European Parliament President Martin Schulz, will outline Lithuanian Presidency priorities and key tasks to the European Parliament and answer questions from members of the parliament.

Dobro došla Hrvatska! Today the European Union grew one country richer as Croatia joined to become the 28th member state. As the newly elected Croatian MEPs get ready for their first plenary session, learn more about this popular tourist destination in our infographic.

Today Lithuania is taking the helm of the European Union for the first time as it assumes the rotating six-month presidency of the EU Council. President Dalia Grybauskaitė congratulates the people of Lithuania on gaining confidence of the international community and wishes unity and patience in discharging these important and responsible duties.