Lithuanian presidency pledges ‘sensitivity’ to peripheral EU states

Lithuanian Foreign Affairs Minister Linas Linkevicius has pledged the Lithuanian Presidency will be more sensitive to the irregular migration phenomenon faced by states at the periphery of the EU.

Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech is currently in Lithuania for a European Council meeting. He also held bilateral meetings with Linkevicius. Lithuania currently holds the Presidency of the European Council.

The talks focused on the bilateral relations, the future of the European Union and Syria.

Grech expressed the government's concerns on the chemical attacks which occurred in Syria, saying Malta condemned the attacks.

"The international community must act diplomatically to stop this violence, aided by the United Nations," Grech said.

On irregular migration, Grech said Malta needed the help of EU member states to shoulder the burden while calling on the EU to address the problem from its roots.

"The EU must address the instability in the Horn of Africa and it should also recognise Libya as its main partner," he added.

On his part, Linkevicius pledged the Lithuanian Presidency would be more sensitive in addressing the problems faced by the states at the periphery of Europe.

It was also agreed that Malta would be sending a delegation to Lithuania in preparation for Malta's EU Presidency in 2017.

The deputy prime minister also participated in an informal meeting of ministers for foreign affairs in Vilnius. The meeting focused on the MEP elections in May.

"We have to show how Europe can have a positive effect on the citizen's everyday life. With economic growth which can be felt by everyone, the Single Market has an integral part to play," Grech told his European counterparts.

"Europe cannot expect public support if it doesn't addressing the priorities of its own citizens."