"The experience of Lithuania, experience of being part of the Soviet Union and regaining independence, where the civil society had a key role, should bring you to have more citizen-friendly presidency of the European Union, to involve citizens in the choice," Malosse said at a meeting with top officials of Lithuania's second-largest city Kaunas on Friday.
In his words, the role played by financial markets in decision-making has lately been too great, with no consideration of citizens' needs.
The EU has announced 2013 as the year of European citizens.
The Malosse-led committee was established in 1957 as a forum for discussing issues of the common market. The committee is now the mediator between EU institutions and representatives of organizations of employees, employers, consumers, environment, and NGOs. The committee submits recommendations on economic and social topics, which EU institutions take into consideration when making decisions. The body includes 344 representatives from all 27 members of the EU, including nine Lithuanians.
Lithuania will take over presidency of the EU Council from Ireland on July 1.
