Lithuania, contagious confidence

It is the turn of Lithuania to take the lead of the Council of Ministers of the European Union. On July 1st the Baltic republic assumed the six-month presidency after Ireland. Although Lithuania is not a Euro zone member country and although it has been direly hit by the economic crisis, "it’s one of the Countries with the highest growth rates in Europe", underlined over and again during the past weeks Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaitë, who on July 3 presented the presidency program to the EU Parliament gathered in Strasbourg. Two years of draconian restrictions, with average wages of 600 euros have restored oxygen to government accounts, thus prompting the recovery of growth. "We have survived a number of occupations, we fought for our freedom. We never doubted the European path we have chosen. We hope that our strong belief in Europe can be inspiring and catching for all Europeans", Grybauskaitë wrote in a message to Europeans regarding the six-month presidency. A tight political agenda. A "credible, growing, and open Europe" are the priorities of the Lithuanian presidency for the EU, reiterated in Strasbourg. Which means "to ensure financial stability and sound public finances", "to deepen Economic and Monetary Union, develop the Banking Union, and protect the financial interests of the EU and the Member States". Second, in the framework of the Europe 2020 strategy, efforts will focus on strengthening the single market, "the major lever to boost economic growth and job opportunities", highlighting those initiatives that increase confidence in the economy (digital agenda, research and innovation). Energy as a priority. Another strong theme, which is a priority also for Lithuania, which still depends on gas from Russia, is to complete the internal energy market, ensuring that no Member State is isolated from European energy networks after 2015. Finally, the third and final priority of the Lithuanian Presidency is to strengthen the EU as a "global model of openness and security", focusing on stepping up the EU’s relations with its Eastern partners (Lithuania will be the venue of the Eastern partnership in November) on enlargement and control of EU borders. The Presidency will also aim "to accelerate talks on free trade agreements with strategic partners like the US, Canada and Japan". Such major objectives are accompanied by specific programs for each area that lies within the scope of the EU. For example, at social level, youth employment (through the efficient coordination of education, training, welfare and job policies), along with the workers’ protection, gender balance, and integration of the Roma, will be the key themes of the Lithuanian presidency. As regards health policies, youth tabacco prevention, mental health, ageing disorders and long term planning aimed at a sustainable health system are described as priorities.The agenda. The agenda of the semester is marked by numerous institutional meetings (for further information see www.eu2013.lt). Lithuania "will be full of Europe", with over 200 meetings scheduled to take place at national level, due to bring some 30 thousand people to the Country. Moreover, Europe will hear and see some more Lithuania with the promotion of cultural and artistic events, such as the "Photographic documents" exhibition, which recently opened in Berlin, and which will be showcased in Croatia, Scotland, and Poland, featuring the artworks of famous photographers, poets along with 20th and 21th century Lithuanian movie productions.Three million inhabitants. Lithuania was the first Balkan Republic to free itself from the oppression of the Soviet regime in 1990. In 2004 Lithuania joined the EU alongside with the other two Baltic republics, but Lithuania is the first of the three to hold EU Council presidency. The Republic of Lithuania is formed by a single chamber (Seimas), with 141 members. Dalia Grybauskaitë was elected president in 2009 with direct voting, with a five-year mandate and with the responsibility of foreign policy and security. Lithuania has a population of approximately 3 million, with a Catholic majority.