„We will have many responsibilities in the fields of education, science and sport. We will seek ways to strengthen the European Research Area, recognise qualifications acquired by adults more effectively, and make the teaching profession more attractive and sustainable,“ said Raminta Popovienė, Minister for Education, Science and Sport, as quoted in the statement.
The minister states that while holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Lithuania will play an important role not only in fostering dialogue between EU Member States and EU institutions on these issues, but also in uniting Europe behind common decisions.
According to the ministry, in education, Lithuania will seek to strengthen the European Education Area. It will also focus more attention on the new generation of the ‘Erasmus+’ programme, the attractiveness of the teaching profession, and career sustainability. At the same time, it will examine issues related to the portability of qualifications, their digitisation, and easier recognition across EU Member States.
In the field of science, the aim will be to create a more competitive and open European Research Area, based on the implementation of the fifth freedom – the free movement of knowledge, research and innovation. This initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s technological competitiveness and innovative capacity.
Meanwhile, in sport, the plan is to promote health-enhancing physical activity, strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation and evidence-based policy, and discuss ways to reinforce the shared values of the European model of sport.
ELTA notes that Lithuania will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2027, taking over from Ireland and subsequently handing over to Greece. These three countries form a three-month rotation of presidencies spanning 18 months.