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There has been no shortage of tests and challenges in the history of the Baltic States, but we have always succeeded in overcoming them – we were strong enough to survive, protect our statehood, set forth our target objectives and move forward to achieve them. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were not afraid to take on responsibility as they fought for their right to independence and a future of their own. It was impossible, some thought, but we – three small nations by the Baltic Sea – never resigned and we reached the ultimate goal: we proved that we can be the architects of our destiny. Our tenacity, commitment and determination brought us back to the family of European nations. Indeed, we can say that the Baltic States’ history is a success story – a chronicle based on vision, hard work and commitment to our nation and its citizens.

Lithuania is the first of the Baltic States to take over the helm of the European Union Council, and later on this task will be assigned to Latvia and Estonia. Beginning this half year, Europe’s political center will shift towards the Baltic States region, where its geographical midpoint is located. The presidency is an opportunity to gain new experience and to demonstrate that we can be responsible not only for ourselves, but also for others; and that we can reach and deliver decisions which will bring well-being and prosperity to the European family as a whole.

We are going to preside over the European Union at a time of complexity, and even though the European economy is showing signs of recovery, there is yet a lot of work to be done. In this respect, the Baltic States can be a role model for dealing with economic problems. We were hit very hard by the economic and financial crisis, but we made the necessary decisions based on political will and political responsibility. Therefore we endured and proved that we can stand up and move forward through the joint efforts of the government and the people. What is more, we emerged stronger from the crisis, and it is not surprising that the Baltic States are projected to enjoy the fastest economic growth in 2013.

During Lithuania’s presidency, we will definitely make use of our experience in confronting economic problems. Based on both experience and knowledge, we know how important it is to pursue financial stability consistently and responsibly.

Today we need to have a credible Europe. Among the key measures to be implemented are the creation of a banking union (en. Banking Union), stronger fiscal supervision and more effective coordination of economic policies for economic and social progress in the European Union.

We must agree on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 (en. Multiannual Financial Framework) as soon as possible to ensure that the EU budget funds reach member states in time and the projects started are successfully carried forward. We will also call for strengthening the EU financial system to make it more resistant to crises.

As we reach for the objectives set out, we cannot focus on austerity only – we need to create a growing Europe. For this we need political unity because the European Union will retain its competitiveness and position in the global market only if it stands in solidarity. Financial solidarity in the face of crisis is a clear sign that we in the European Union address our common problems in a constructive and responsible way; therefore we are ready to find the best solutions and stay competitive.

Growing economy will also help to tackle social issues. We understand that sustainable economic growth requires the highest possible employment. We are glad that we were able to reduce youth unemployment by six percent in Lithuania in the past several years, and we will work towards implementing the adopted relevant measures across the EU to provide young people a guaranteed option of receiving job or professional training offers. It is necessary to carry through a wide range of measures to create new jobs; therefore we strongly support the development of research and innovations. It is extremely important to move forward with the Digital Agenda (en. Digital Agenda) which will open new opportunities for both EU citizens and businesses. Internet services are the fastest growing segment, and it will also receive Lithuania’s special attention during the presidency.

Still, the greatest potential in solving EU problems – boosting competitiveness and reducing unemployment – lies in the single market (en. Single Market). And even though the EU has achieved significant progress in this area and has created a common market that has no analogues in the world, there are yet too many obstacles to the free movement of goods and services. For EU citizens to benefit more from the single market, we need to remove these obstacles as soon as possible – which means we need to deepen the single market, particularly for services.

Freely provided services across the European Union will effectively create new jobs and contribute to the EU GDP growth.

Clearly, the creation of a single energy market, which will secure continuous energy supplies at competitive prices, is a top priority for the EU in achieving stability in economic growth in the immediate future. Until now we have been an energy island within the European Union, therefore we support EU efforts to enhance energy security by consolidating energy infrastructure and integrating energy networks, completing the EU internal energy market and pursuing a common EU external energy policy.

Without a doubt, the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (en. EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region) and enhanced regional cooperation are of great importance to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – and Lithuania will work on these objectives during its EU presidency. Learning from neighbors, developing joint science and business projects is a key element of promoting economic development, and this is ever more often noticed and acknowledged across all of Europe.

As we focus on internal issues, we cannot forget about the EU’s external partners and the vision of open Europe. The strategic partners with whom we are successfully developing trade relations have a particular significance in this context. Free trade with strategic partners would contribute to economic growth, and we must encourage and advance free trade talks with such EU partners as the U.S. and Japan. The Lithuanian presidency will place a special emphasis on the EU’s eastern partners. We hope that the Eastern Partnership (en. Eastern Partnership) summit to be held in Vilnius this coming November will create the necessary conditions for deeper, more effective and mutually beneficial cooperation between the EU and Eastern Partnership countries. It is in our interest to enlarge the space of democracy, stability and security. Therefore, as we hold the door open to our neighbors and partners, we will also strengthen our ability to deal with newly emerging security challenges. More open trade relations will surely serve to benefit businesses in the European Union, including the Baltic States.

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is a time to exchange our knowledge with the whole of Europe and to contribute in a significant way to building the European future. We know that we are responsible not only for ourselves and that there is a lot of important work to be done, and we have come well prepared for the job. We will work hard to continue the success story of the three Baltic sisters – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – and to make Europe even stronger.