Grybauskaite says government

VILNIUS - Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite in a landmark review of the government's work has said that the battle against corruption is "ineffective" among numerous other issues.

The president met with Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius Wednesday to discuss the government's accomplishments and future priorities.

"This Government has been ineffective in fighting corruption, particularly in the sectors of public procurement, construction and healthcare," the president said.

"I am also critical of the fact that economic dominance of monopolies has not been reduced," she said.

During the press conference the president highlighed a number of other issues that she believes need improvement. These include proposed railway reform, monopolies in the heating industry, stalled pension legislation, and efforts to join the eurozone.

Grybauskaite's comments were not all negative, however. She also took the opportunity to praise some of the work the the government has done, particularly in the energy sector and in it's handling of the budget.

"I have observed some positive changes in the energy sector, as well as in pharmaceutical price control and the Government’s ability to maintain financial stability," she said.