The Delegation of the European Union, Embassy of Lithuania, Consulate General of Lithuania in Chicago and the American-Lithuanian Business Council
cordially invite you to join us for a working breakfast on
.
“The Benefits of a U.S.-E.U. Free Trade Agreement for Midwest Business”
.
with participation from
His Excellency João Vale de Almeida,
Ambassador and Head of the E.U. Delegation to the U.S.
and
His Excellency Žygimantas Pavilionis,
Ambassador of Lithuania to the U.S.
.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Hemingway Salon
11 East Walton St., Chicago, IL
RSVP by Friday, November 15, [email protected]
.
This breakfast will provide Chicago-based business leaders with an opportunity to hear from the Ambassadors of the European Union and Lithuania (current President of the European Council) about what is at stake in the negotiations to complete a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) between the United States and the European Union. EU Ambassador Vale de Almeida will discuss the EU’s role as negotiator on behalf of the 28 EU member states, issues to be tackled in upcoming rounds, as well as the potential bilateral and global consequences of an agreement. Ambassador Pavilionis will address the interests and impact of T-TIP for Lithuania, which joined the EU in 2004, and address the priorities and remaining challenges of first Baltic EU Presidency. Lithuania’s EU Presidency (July 1-December 31) is focused on improving economic growth and governance; strengthening the EU’s single market; and closer relations between the EU and its Eastern partners.
Ambassador João Vale de Almeida is the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States. Prior to his appointment in Washington, he served as the Director General for External Relations at the European Commission, the European Union’s executive body. As the most senior official under the authority of the High Representative/Vice-President Baroness Ashton, he helped formulate and execute the EU’s foreign policy and played a key role in preparing for the new European External Action Service (EEAS) introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon. From 2004 to 2009 Amb. Vale de Almeida was the Head of Cabinet (Chief of staff and main adviser) for European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. He also acted as the EU “Sherpa” for G8 and G20 Summits.
Earlier in his career in the European institutions, Amb. Vale de Almeida held several senior positions in the European Commission and the Economic and Social Committee. Immediately before joining President Barroso’s team in 2004, Amb. Vale de Almeida held a senior position in the Directorate General for Education and Culture after serving as Deputy Chief Spokesman of the European Commission. Amb. Vale de Almeida joined the European Commission in 1982 at its Delegation in Lisbon, after spending seven years as a journalist. He holds a degree in History from the University of Lisbon.
Ambassador Žygimantas Pavilionis joined the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1993. There he was instrumental in achieving Lithuanian accession into NATO and the European Union. Between 1993 and 2009, he has held various high-level positions in the Lithuanian MFA, most focused on Lithuania’s relationship with the European Union. Most recently Ambassador Pavilionis acted as Ambassador –at-Large and Chief Coordinator for Lithuania’s Presidency of the Community of Democracies and Chief Coordinator for Transatlantic relations. He has a Master’s Degree in Philosophy and PhD in Political Science. He pursued both degrees in Vilnius University, Lithuania.
