Premier Litouwen: Duitsland steunt euro-aspiraties Litouwen (en)

On his working visit to Germany, the Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius i met with Chancellor Angela Merkel i to discuss the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency of the European Union, the bilateral cooperation and the EU agenda, as well as Lithuania's euro aspirations.

“We hope to meet the Maastricht criteria and join the euro in 2015. Our currency is tied to the euro at a fixed rate, and when in the eurozone, we would ensure greater security in the face of financial and economic problems,“ - said the Prime Minister.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed Germany’s support to Lithuania in its euro aspirations, adding that there will be a political support for Lithuania as it joins the euro zone in 2015.

The meeting also discussed issues of the bilateral cooperation. “We are delighted with our bilateral cooperation, and in order to make our economic partnership closer, I invite Germany to cooperate in the field of innovations, and creation of favourable conditions for companies generating high value-added products. I also invite the German businessmen and scientists to exploit the research and business valleys in Lithuania, “ - said the Prime Minister. According to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor Angela Merkel invited Lithuania to cooperate in the field of education through exchange programs.

The Head of the Lithuanian Government briefed the Chancellor of Germany on Presidency priorities and pointed out that the presiding country has to deal with many pressing tasks, as it is responsible for the coordination work in the Council preparatory bodies and is in close cooperation with EU institutions.

“Our Presidency’s agenda is going to be tight. As the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Lithuania will be an honest broker and I believe that having involved all necessary partners into this process, we will together make Europe credible, growing and open. Much focus will be placed on youth employment, new jobs, tackling tax evasion, creation of Banking Union, Eastern Partnership and the energy,”- said the Prime Minister.

During their visit to Berlin, Algirdas Butkevičius and Minister of Finance Rimantas Šadžius also met with Federal Minister of Finance Wolfgang Schäuble and discussed relevant issues concerning the euro, strengthening of the economic and monetary union, the Banking Union, as well as the Multiannual Financial Framework.

Today, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius is also going give a speech at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation on the subject “United, Consolidated and Competitive Europe: a Mirage or a Reality? Lithuanian EU Presidency 2013. Goals and Objectives” and will meet with Chairman of the Foundation Kurt Beck.

Tonight, the Prime Minister will end his working visit in Germany and leave for Latvia, where, together with the Heads of Government of other Baltic States, he will attend the Baltic Development Forum, to be held in Riga tomorrow, and will take part in the informal working session of the Baltic Council of Ministers in Jūrmala.