On January 26-28, Dr. Eglė Verseckaitė-Grzeskowiak, Elena Šiaudvytienė and Dr. Ignas Kalpokas from the International Relations and Development Department went on a study visit to the European Union institutions together with academia and EU experts from other universities in Lithuania. The visit was organized by the European Commission Representation in Lithuania and the European Commission Directorate-General for Communication Visitor's Center. While visiting the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Lithuania to the EU, they studied and debated the new European Commission's political priorities, European Green Deal, latest developments of the Brexit process, Eastern Partnership, EU-China relations and other current issues in the EU politics. They met with European Commissioner Mr. Virginijus Sinkevičius, the MEPs from Lithuania Mr. Petras Auštrevičius, Mr. Stasys Jakeliūnas, Ms. Rasa Juknevičienė, Mr. Andrius Kubilius, Mr. Liudas Mažylis, Mr. Juozas Olekas, the Ambassador of Lithuania to the EU Ms. Jovita Neliupšienė and other professionals from the EU institutions.

The visit has been a great experience of professional development and occasion for enriching conversations with colleagues from other universities in Lithuania. The information gained during this study visit will be very helpful for teaching about the EU.