Members of the Committee of the Regions' ECR met in Vilnius, Lithuania for the Group‘s first external reunion. The meeting, which took place on 20 November, addressed the key issue of energy security and renewable sources of energy as well as the role of local and regional authorities in addressing those challenges.

 Mrs. Daiva Matoniene, ECR Group Vice-President, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Environment and member of Šiauliai City municipal council, hosted the Group. The event was also organised in cooperation with the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania and the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

 High-level policy-makers, academics and practitioners participated in the event including Ms. Žydrunė Juodkienė, the Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Energy. The participants also listened to video messages by Mr. Oldrich Vlasak MEP, the Vice-President of the European Parliament in charge of relations with the Committee of the Regions, and Mr. Valentinas Mazuronis, the Lithuanian Minister for Environment.

 The meeting underlined the need to reduce the EU's dependency on imports and diversify the EU energy market. The need to diversify the sources of energy was also underlined, with a specific emphasis being placed on research and development as a tool for developing innovative energy production technologies. Inter-connectivity and the role that local and regional authorities can play in promoting sustainable energy practices were emphasised. Other points that were raised included the idea of local and regional support for, and development of, centres of excellence in energy development. These key points were summarised in the Group's Vilnius Declaration.

 Ms. Matonienė noted that, "This fruitful meeting has allowed us to draw key policy conclusions that will unquestionably contribute towards a more competitive, sustainable and secure EU energy policy. The meeting has also underlined the important role of local and regional authorities in its development and implementation."

 The Group's President Cllr. Gordon Keymer CBE (UK) said that, "This first meeting organised by the ECR Group was a real success. I would like to warmly thank the Association of Local Authorities of Lithuania and the Lithuanian Presidency for their role in this".

 Editors note: Other participants included Mr Martynas  Nagevičius, President of Lithuanian renewable energy confederation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Oktay Tanrisever, Associate Dean from METU University, Ian Walker, Managing Director of MEC International and Mr Jonas Satkūnas, Director.