The President thanked them for dedicated ambassadorial work as well as for the consistent and continuous support extended by their countries to Lithuania’s interests at the international level, its national objectives within the European Union, and joint responses delivered to external hybrid threats. Dalia Grybauskaitė expressed special gratitude for their active participation in the nation-wide social campaign For A Safe Lithuania that she had initiated.
Speaking on behalf of all heads of diplomatic missions, the Ambassador of Romania – which currently holds the EU presidency – thanked Dalia Grybauskaitė for her personal contribution to strengthening bilateral relations and congratulated her on the accomplishments achieved during ten years in office. Over the last decade, Lithuania has demonstrated impressive progress and economic growth, establishing itself as a country of lasers and financial technologies, gaining international respect as EU’s presiding member state and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and earning recognition for its active engagement in the work of other international institutions.
The meeting also focused on the last week's European Council summit and its results as well as on other urgent EU issues.
The President underlined that the protracted process of selecting the next top EU leaders may hinder important decisions and complicate the Commission’s work. It created a very sensitive situation, especially with the EU facing long and difficult negotiations over the long-term budget for 2021-2027 and other serious challenges, including Brexit and climate change.
On the matter of external relations, it was emphasized that EU leaders had extended, by common agreement, economic sanctions against Russia.
It was also highlighted that Lithuania strongly supported and would continue to support Ukraine’s, Georgia’s and Moldova’s aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration. The President thanked the ambassadors for their contribution to sharing Lithuania’s experience and EU values with the people of their respective countries.
Dalia Grybauskaitė pointed out that the last European Council summit was of historic significance to Lithuania. On its sidelines, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and the European Commission signed a political roadmap implementing the synchronization of the Baltic States’ electricity grid with the continental European network.
For the first time ever, the roadmap sets the target date of 2025 for full synchronization and a timetable for specific works.
