Meetings in Brussels: Preparations for Lithuania’s Presidency of the EU Council
In preparation for Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) in the first half of 2027, Minister of Finance Taurimas Valys will attend meetings in Brussels with members of the European Commission and the European Parliament to discuss key priorities for Lithuania’s Presidency and the progress of negotiations on the EU’s 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), as well as continued financial support for Ukraine, the implementation of the Savings and Investment Union’s objectives, the strengthening of European competitiveness, and the modernization of tax policy.
"In the coming half-year, Lithuania will take over from Ireland not only the Presidency of the EU Council but also the responsibility and leadership in seeking solutions of importance to all of Europe. Today, Europe faces major challenges in the areas of defence, security, energy, competitiveness, climate, and social protection; therefore, a decisive and unified response from EU states is essential. During meetings in Brussels with members of the European Commission and the European Parliament, we will discuss priority issues on the EU agenda," Taurimas Valys said outlining the purpose of the visit to Brussels in preparation for the Presidency.
In light of current challenges, Lithuania has identified five priority areas for its Presidency of the EU Council: strengthening security and defence within the EU and the Euro-Atlantic area, including comprehensive support for Ukraine and adequate defence funding; EU competitiveness and economic resilience, alongside a multiannual budget that meets needs, the development of the Capital Markets Union, and the Savings and Investment Union (SIU) initiative; internal security, preparedness, and the resilience of EU democracy, including effective migration management and the preservation of European historical memory; and social protection that addresses demographic challenges and strengthens societal resilience in the context of long-term changes; EU enlargement, the protection of European values in the neighbourhood, and the preservation of the rules-based international order.
The Ministry of Finance will be involved in presidency-related matters within two EU Councils: the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) and the General Affairs Council (GAC).
Four key workstreams are envisaged for ECOFIN: ensuring continued financial support for Ukraine, making progress on the Savings and Investment Union (SIU) agenda, tax-related initiatives, and issues concerning the annual EU budget. The GAC will focus primarily on the 2028–2034 EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and Cohesion Policy issues.
According to the Minister, negotiations among EU member states regarding the EU Multiannual Financial Framework are expected to conclude by the end of this year. In that event, work will need to continue during Lithuania’s Presidency with a view to obtaining the consent of the European Parliament and a political agreement on the transposition of the texts into EU legislation. The Minister emphasized the importance for Lithuania of commencing inter-institutional discussions with the European Parliament as early as possible and ensuring the timely adoption of all legislative acts for the new financial period.
During its Presidency of the EU Council, in the area of financial services Lithuania plans to focus primarily on the Market Integration and Supervision Package (MISP), as, according to the Minister, "strengthening capital markets is essential to mobilize substantial European private savings and channel them into productive investments in the real economy."
"The Market Integration Package is no less important, as, despite recent progress, EU financial markets remain highly fragmented, small, and insufficiently competitive, failing to achieve potential economies of scale and greater efficiency," T. Valys said identifying this as one of the key objectives of Lithuania's Presidency.
In the Minister's view, it is essential to prepare for all possible scenarios ahead of Lithuania's Presidency of the EU Council, as the geopolitical and economic situation in Europe remains difficult to predict. "We must be ready to respond flexibly to changing circumstances while maintaining clear priorities for both our country and Europe," T. Valys stated.
During his visit to Brussels, the Minister of Finance will meet with European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto and European Commissioners Piotr Serafin and Maria Luís Albuquerque. The Minister will also meet with Aurore Lalucq, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs; Members of the European Parliament Jonás Fernández Álvarez, Jean-Marc Germain, and Markus Ferber; and Lithuanian Members of the European Parliament Virginijus Sinkevičius, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, and Aurelijus Veryga.
While in Brussels as part of Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius’s delegation, the Minister of Finance is also scheduled to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commissioners Valdis Dombrovskis and Andrius Kubilius.
On September 30, T. Valys will participate in the plenary session of the Connecting Europe Days conference on "Mobilising Investment in Europe's Transport Infrastructure: Building the Foundations for Competitiveness and Military Mobility”.
Last updated: 28-09-2026
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