Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union
Lithuanian Presidency of the Council
of the European Union and Proper
Preparation for it
Mr. Raimundas KAROBLIS
Ambassador
Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the EU
CONFERENCE
LITHUANIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION:
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE
Vilnius
29 March, 2012
Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union
The role of the Council Presidency:
 The Council Presidency is not an institution or an
instrument of power
 The Council Presidency is a service, given to the other
member states in rotating manner
 The Council Presidency plays a strong role in the
European Union, through its agenda-setting powers and
leadership role in negotiations
Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union
The role of the Permanent
Representation during the Presidency:
• Priority of the Representation – ensure smooth legislative and
related process – results in the legislation
• Brussels – based – model – autonomy and responsibility of the
chairman
 Main chairs and compromise-makers in the Council working
parties and the committees;
 Representation of the Council in its relations with European
Commission;
 Representation of the Council in the negotiations with the
European Commission and the Parliament (trialogs);
 Main partners for the other member states and third parties.
Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union
The smooth run of the Presidency
means:
 Proper planning;
 Efficient organization;
 Cohesive and well trained team;
 Good networking with partners (Council, Commission,
Parliament, EEAS, other stakeholders)…
Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union
Council Secretariat – main partner
of the Presidency:
 The main advisor in planning and preparation for the
Presidency (Trio Programme, Council Agendas…);
 Assistance and guidance during the Presidency, based on
huge institutional memory and professional experience
(drafting of documents, briefing notes for Chairman of COREPER and
Council, assisting in trilogues with the EP);
 The legal advisor on form, substance and procedures (legal
representation in working parties, legal advice, jurist-linguist service);
 The provider of services on translation, logistics, security.
Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union
Training the staff of the Permanent
Representation (1):
On which issues we need to concentrate the training?
 On substance – depending on the area for which the
chairman is responsible ?
 On procedures ?
 On languages ?
 Developing skills of the chairman to run the committee /
working group and to get the agreement
Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union
Training the staff of the
Permanent Representation (2):
Working with the EU Institutions:
 Working with the Council Secretariat (planned on second
half of 2012);
 Working with The European Parliament (planned for April
2013);
 Training on working with the interpreters, organized by the
DG Interpretation (SCIC) of the Commission.
Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union
Training the staff of the Permanent
Representation (3):
Improvement of horizontal knowledge on the EU:
 Training on the Institutional and legal system of the EU (ongoing training with the Centre for Political and Diplomatic Studies);
 Training on the Decision making process in the EU (on-going
training with the Centre for Political and Diplomatic Studies);
 Training on the Negotiation and Intercultural Communication
(on-going training with the Centre for European Negotiation and
Decision-making);
Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union
Training the staff of the Permanent
Representation (4):
Developing personal skills:
 Training on negotiation and Intercultural Communication (ongoing training with the Centre for European Negotiation and
Decision-making);
 Training on English Communication (Planned for summer
2012);
 Fine-tuning negotiation skills (envisaged for the beginning of
2013)
Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union
Have fun
in 2013!
Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union
Thank you for your attention.
Questions?
Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union
Contact details:
Rue Belliard, 41—43, 1040, Brussels
www.eurep.mfa.lt