Press Releases

2013-05-24 President of Estonia to arrive on state visit to Lithuania

At the invitation of President Dalia Grybauskaitė, the President of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, will make a state visit to Lithuania on May 27-29. During his visit in Lithuania, the Estonian President will be accompanied by First Lady Evelin Ilves. The Presidents of Lithuania and Estonia will discuss bilateral relations, regional cooperation, topical issues in the sphere of energy as well as on the EU and NATO agenda, and Lithuania's upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union.

2013-05-22 Tax evasion will be more difficult

President Dalia Grybauskaitė is attending a European Council meeting in Brussels, which has discussed EU tax policies. The European Union is taking measures at international level to fight tax evasion and fraud, aiming to enhance the financial stability in the EU member states. "Tax evasion is a major worldwide problem. The total loss of national budget revenues of the EU member states due to such evasion is estimated to be around one trillion euros a year. It is therefore necessary to work internationally to make tax evasion more difficult. This is also important seeking to improve the EU's competitiveness," the President said.

2013-05-22 EU will seek to lower energy prices for consumers

President Dalia Grybauskaitė is attending a European Council meeting in Brussels. At their meeting, the heads of state and government have outlined guidelines for the EU internal and external policies in the energy sector, with a key focus on building the EU's internal energy market and on external energy policy, and discussed tools to lower high prices of energy resources. "The completion of the European Union's internal energy market will end the energy isolation of Lithuania. It will ensure greater energy security and more alternative energy supplies, serving to promote competitiveness of the energy sector and lower consumer prices," the President said.

2013-05-22 Energy prices and tax evasion reduce EU’s competitiveness

President Dalia Grybauskaitė has left for Brussels to attend a European Council meeting. At their meeting, EU heads of state and government will discuss how to reduce prices for energy resources and to fight tax fraud and tax evasion. Effective measures to tackle these problems are needed for boosting the EU competitiveness and ensuring faster economic growth of the member states. Discussions on the number of members of the European Parliament and European Commission from 2014 will also be held.

2013-05-21 Dalia Grybauskaitė extended condolences to U.S. President Barack Obama over the devastating tornado

President Dalia Grybauskaitė offered her condolences to the President of the United States, Barack Obama, over the tornado that swept through Oklahoma City suburbs, leaving more than 90 people dead and many more injured.

2013-05-20 European leaders will discuss EU energy and tax policies

President Dalia Grybauskaitė will attend the European Council on May 22. At their meeting in Brussels, EU heads of state and government will discuss energy security and high prices for energy resources - a major challenge that the European Union faces today. In order to better protect the interests of European consumers, the EU's internal energy market must be reinforced and its external energy policies coordinated more closely.

2013-05-18 The President is awarded Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, at Georgetown University

President Dalia Grybauskaitė was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, at Georgetown University. The honorary doctorate was conferred to the President for "political leadership, truth, transparency and responsibility." In her acceptance speech, the President said that during 23 years of regained independence Lithuania had travelled a difficult but exciting road of success. "Lithuania was at the forefront, breaking down the Soviet empire. We were the first to declare independence, the first to suffer harsh consequences - human casualties and economic blockade. We were learning by doing: how to build a country, how to make it function well. Having gone through all this, we are stronger now," the President said.

2013-05-18 Dalia Grybauskaitė presented school graduation certificates to Lithuanian Americans

President Dalia Grybauskaitė participated in the end of school year event at the Kristijonas Donelaitis Lithuanian School and presented students with school graduation certificates. The President wished the children to cherish the Lithuanian culture, not to forget their mother tongue, and never stop learning and improving their native language skills. "The uniqueness and strength of the Lithuanian people lie in our traditions and our language. We are a proud nation, not broken by any disasters or blows of history. So I wish you to remain Lithuanians and have Lithuania in your hearts, wherever you live", the President said.

2013-05-17 American-Lithuanian Business Council is formed

President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with representatives of the world-famous companies of the United States and attended an inaugural meeting of the American-Lithuanian Business Council. It is the first such association formed exclusively to promote economic cooperation between the two countries. "The United States is the largest investor in the world, but it ranks only 19th in foreign direct investments in Lithuania. This Council can significantly contribute to the strengthening of the U.S.-Lithuania commercial and economic relations," the President said.

2013-05-17 The United States will help Lithuania ensure its energy security

President Dalia Grybauskaitė, currently on a working visit to the United States of America, met with the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, John Boehner, chairs of the congressional committees on foreign affairs and armed forces, and other influential congressmen to discuss regional and energy security issues as well as Lithuanian-U.S. military cooperation. "The United States is Lithuania's important partner in energy security. More favorable conditions for the U.S. gas exports to Lithuania and other NATO member states would allow us to ensure the diversity of energy supply sources and competitive prices of gas to the people of Lithuania," the President said.