David Sassoli stressed the need to strengthen democracy in an address to EU leaders at the start of the European Council on 25 March.

In the second half of their meeting, European leaders discussed the single market and the strategy for economic recovery after the pandemic.

On 23-24 March in Brussels, Belgium, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis took part in a meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, which discussed the adaptation of the Alliance, response to Russia's destabilising actions, the situation in Afghanistan and the security situation in the region.

According to Landsbergis, NATO’s strategic planning on a decade level is essential in view of dynamically shifting security environment. According to the Foreign Minister, we must do everything we can to ensure that the Alliance continues to provide peace and security for a billion people.

“Lithuania supports NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s NATO 2030 proposals to strengthen NATO’s collective defence with greater political consultation, resilience and modernisation. The Alliance must offer more support for our closest partners and friends in Ukraine and Georgia,” said Landsbergis.

A united Western response to Russian aggression and the threat to Euro-Atlantic security were discussed at a joint session with Sweden, Finland and Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
At the meetings, it was stressed that it was important to keep a close eye on the growing Russian military threat in the NATO neighbourhood, including Belarus' deeper integration with Russia.

While continuing its adaptation, NATO must implement the already agreed decisions to strengthen defence and deterrence measures in the Baltic region. According to Landsbergis, Lithuania is open to dialogue in the NATO-Russia Council, but an open and constructive dialogue is possible only if Russia changes its behaviour.

Landsbergis together with the Estonian and Latvian Foreign Ministers met with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The meeting discussed the U.S.-Baltic security cooperation, ways to strengthen NATO's deterrence and defence measures, and further support for eastern partners. “We need to strengthen the values-based postures of the democratic world by ensuring an allied response to the growing aggression of authoritarian regimes. We must strive to make progress in the areas of human rights and democracy,” said Landsbergis.

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The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD has published a report on local public investment in Lithuania.

In a week with committee meetings and a plenary session, MEPs will focus on Covid-19 vaccines, the EU’s own resources system and sustainable tourism.

The European Commission is proposing to create a Digital Green Certificate to facilitate safe free movement inside the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Digital Green Certificate will be a proof that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, received a negative test result or recovered from COVID-19. It will be available, free of charge, in digital or paper format. It will include a QR code to ensure security and authenticity of the certificate. The Commission will build a gateway to ensure all certificates can be verified across the EU, and support Member States in the technical implementation of certificates. Member States remain responsible to decide which public health restrictions can be waived for travellers but will have to apply such waivers in the same way to travellers holding a Digital Green Certificate.

On March 18-20 Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas is conducting a formal visit to Ukraine in the delegation of President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda.

This week, Minister of Transport and Communications Marius Skuodis will pay a visit to Ukraine, where, alongside with President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, he is to participate in the Council of Presidents of Ukraine and Lithuania and is to attend a bilateral Ukrainian-Lithuanian Economic Forum. The Minister will also have bilateral meetings.

Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has had a video conference meeting with Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway Ole Terje Horpestad, and has discussed the development of bilateral relations.

MEPs will discuss the efficacy of vaccines against new Covid-19 variants with experts, assess the impact of data protection rules and vote on artificial intelligence rules.