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 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

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 (on- going 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 (on- going 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!

Thank you for your attention. Questions? Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union Contact details: Rue Belliard, 41—43, 1040, Brussels Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union