Lithuania discusses environment and climate policy agenda ahead of EU Council Presidency
On 22 October, Minister of Environment Ieva Andriulaitytė met in Vilnius with Peter Javorčík, head of the directorate responsible for environment policy at the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union (EU), and his delegation. The meeting covered Lithuania’s preparations for its EU Council Presidency, planned work on environment and climate policy, and cooperation between the Ministry and the Secretariat.
“The Council’s General Secretariat will be one of our main partners and advisers during the Presidency. We value the opportunity to discuss practical arrangements now and draw on the Secretariat’s experience as we prepare for the work ahead,” said Minister of Environment Ieva Andriulaitytė.
Discussions covered the presentation of Lithuania’s Presidency priorities to the European Parliament and provisional agendas for Environment Council meetings in 2027. Officials also discussed the Secretariat’s support in organising the informal meeting of environment and climate ministers and the meeting of EU environment directors-general, both planned for Vilnius.
On climate policy, participants examined the review of the EU Emissions Trading System and proposed changes to CO₂ emission standards for new cars and light commercial vehicles. Other topics included EU climate policy beyond 2030 and the framework being developed to prepare for the impacts of climate change and manage the associated risks.
Environment policy discussions included the forthcoming Circular Economy Act, which will revise waste management requirements and introduce broader measures to reduce resource use, improve product durability and develop the market for high-quality secondary raw materials. Participants also considered proposals to simplify environmental legislation under the Omnibus VIII package, alongside water, marine and nature protection.
Lithuanian representatives stressed the importance of the Secretariat’s support in international negotiations on plastic pollution, chemicals and waste, particularly in agreeing common EU positions and addressing procedural matters.
Lithuania will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2027, taking over from Ireland.