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On 8 July, 2013 the US Congress hosted a gala event jointly organised by the General Lithuanian Embassy in Washington, Congress’s Baltic Group, and the American-Lithuanian Business Council, Lithuanian Embassy in Washington D.C. has informed The Lithuania Tribune.

The occasion marked the start of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations.

Among nearly two hundred attendees there were American business executives, foreign diplomats, members of Congress, and American-Lithuanian Business Council members. Guests were introduced to the Lithuanian presidency priorities and the upcoming programme.

Event participants were welcomed by Žygimantas Pavilionis, the Lithuanian Ambassador to the US. The Ambassador noted that the road to Lithuania holding the flag of the EU Council has been long and full of victories.

Ambassador Pavilionis also congratulated the newest member of the European Union family – Croatia – highlighting that its EU accession as a crucial step in the development of bilateral relations between the Western Balkans and the EU. This event served as a reminder that the 2004 ‘big-bang’ enlargement has proven to be effective.
According to Ambassador Žygimnatas Pavilionis, the objectives of the Lithuanian presidency are the creation of a common energy market and strengthening of the existing economic and monetary union.
“The focus is on economic diplomacy and energy security, as well as the Eastern Partnership policy and preparation for the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in November, which will take place in Vilnius, and which will be the focus of the Lithuanian Presidency,” underscored Pavilionis.
The Ambassador stressed the significance of the US as a major Lithuanian partner in NATO and an important foreign trade partner, and was grateful to note the growing interest of the US companies in Lithuania.
 

François Rivasseau, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to the United States, congratulated Lithuania on taking the responsibility in the EU Presidency. Rivasseau said he was confident of the success of Lithuanian presidency. He sees the country as a responsible leader for the European Union’s overall ideas, goals, and implementation. He also remarked on the importance of the shared heritage between the United States and Europe.
US Deputy State Secretary for Economic and Business Issues, Jose Fernandez and the US Department of Commerce Undersecretary K. Hyatt spoke on the exceptional opportunities for business development between the US and Lithuania.
They emphasised the growing US business attention in Lithuania and investment attractiveness. Fernandez pointed out the need to take advantage of the opportunities created by the growing partnership between businesses and transportation development in Lithuania. Negotiations on the trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership will add a new perspective to the broadening trans-Atlantic relationship.
 
 Photo by Jonas Suprinaitis