"It is a crucial moment when, after 5 years of discussions, we are honored to provide services to the Lithuanian government. Every year we organize 120-140 seminars, training events, and as far as they are open events, Lithuanian participants will now benefit from a 40-percent fee reduction, as long as they come from a state institution or courts," Heusel told journalists following the signing ceremony.
According to estimates by the Ministry of Justice, after Lithuania signed the agreement and became a patron of the Academy, the country will be able to save around EUR 75,000, including around EUR 36,000 for the public sector, for training events if the number of people taking part in training events remains the same.
The Academy's figures show that 421 people from Lithuania, including 292 from the public sector, attended its training events in 2007-2011.
"Training in European law issues is essential for our society and we need more of that kind of training in order to provide possibilities for Lithuanian lawyers to participate in such events," Šimašius said.
The Academy of European Law says it will invite more law specialists from Lithuania to attend its training events in the second half of 2013 when Lithuania will hold the EU Presidency, and plans to organize two seminars in Vilnius on the cooperation of EU law and law enforcement agencies.
The Brussels-based Academy of European Law, established by the European Parliament in 1992, organizes various training events, conferences, and projects on EU law. To become its patron, a country has to pay a one-off contribution of EUR 50,000.
