Lithuanian, European Council presidents discuss EU competitiveness, single market

VILNIUS - Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda had a phone call with European Council President Antonio Costa on Friday and the two politicians discussed the European Union's competitiveness, ways to strengthen the single market, as well as internal strategy and policy issues.

The conversation took place in preparation for the informal meeting of EU leaders to be held in Belgium on February 12, the presidential press service said.

"We support the idea of holding an informal discussion on competitiveness, hoping that concrete decisions will be taken at the European Council meeting in March. It must be noted that so far we have not managed to significantly deepen the single market and remove the obstacles limiting the EU's competitiveness," Nauseda was quoted as saying in the statement.

"Relatively high electricity prices and a lack of access to cheaper capital are challenges that we must address as soon as possible. This is necessary for manufacturers and providers of products and services," he pointed out.

In order to compete globally in the fields of high technology, artificial intelligence, and information technology, it is essential to significantly reduce the administrative burden and internal barriers between EU markets at the EU level, the Lithuanian leader believes.

"That is why it is important for Lithuania, as a start-up country, to have a so-called 28th regime in place, which would allow start-ups to establish themselves, operate, and attract capital quickly based on unified rules across the EU market," he pointed out.

According to the president, concrete action must be taken urgently to strengthen Europe's competitiveness and its role in the global economy, and the EU must diversify its trade relations. The recently signed free trade agreement with India is cited as a good example.

"We must learn from past experience and reduce our dependence, especially on Russia and China. In the four years since the start of Russia's war against Ukraine, we have managed to find solutions, take concrete action, and reduce our dependence on the aggressor," Nauseda stressed, adding that the EU must not only deepen the single market but also expand it to Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans.

In addition, the president said, Lithuania is ready to work on the European Market Action Plan and implement it during its EU presidency in 2027.