News

On 5 September 2025, Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania hosted a meeting of judges from the highest administrative courts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The meeting was dedicated to preparations for the Baltic States’ upcoming presidency of ACA-Europe – the Association of the Councils of State and Supreme Administrative Jurisdictions of the European Union.

During the presidency period from 2027 to 2029, the Baltic States were set to jointly shape the ACA-Europe agenda, with a central theme focusing on “Europe’s common values, in particular the resilience of the rule of law in times of change”.

Priorities and challenges discussed

The judges discussed priorities and joint events that would address current challenges related to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The meeting was attended by Nele Siitam, Judge of the Administrative Law Chamber of the Supreme Court of Estonia, and, remotely, by the Chamber’s President Ivo Pilving. Also participating were Anita Kovaļevska, President of the Administrative Law Department of the Senate of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia, and Skirgailė Žalimienė, President of the Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania.

The prepared agenda was to be presented at the next meeting of the ACA-Europe Executive Board.

The role of the judiciary in times of pressure

Global political developments, the rise of populism, the threats posed by disinformation and the accelerating digital transformation further highlighted the role of courts in protecting human rights and safeguarding the sustainability of democracy.

“Today, courts face exceptional challenges: on the one hand, they must actively defend human rights and the principles of democracy; on the other, they must preserve their independence and uphold the separation of powers. During the Baltic States’ presidency of ACA-Europe, we will aim to foster a constructive dialogue on the resilience of the judiciary in the context of global change — how to strengthen human rights protection and judicial independence in a rapidly evolving political and technological environment,” emphasised Skirgailė Žalimienė, President of the Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania.