VILNIUS, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite highlighted tackling political corruption and the crisis amongst political parties in her state of the nation address on Tuesday.
The most recent political scandals and efforts to tackle political corruption were the center of the president's address.
"We have stopped the oligarchic takeover of the democratic system, even though all of us have painfully burned our fingers, including myself," said Grybauskaite in her address to Lithuanian members of parliament.
Her speech touched on the most recent political and business scandal following the probe by the Parliamentary Committee on Nation Security and Defense (NSGK) on business influence on politics. NSGK has revealed a widespread influence of business groups on political leaders and their parties during the last decade for the purpose of benefiting from the public procurement of major energy projects.
"When the waters of political corruption were stirred up, unseen Lithuania opened before us even though we had suspected its existence," said Grybauskaite on Tuesday.
The Lithuanian president warned that "new dealers ready to bargain Lithuania away keep cropping up" and urged the country's legislators to use legal instruments, renew the political system, and rise from the "pit of distrust" to break down corruption.
Political parties also need to have quality standards and democratic management traditions, according to the president.
Grybauskaite admitted that changes in fighting corruption in the country had not been as quick as she had hoped.
"Almost two terms in office were needed to curb corruption and it took so long for law enforcement to move from suspicion to legal evidence," she said.
Grybauskaite also touched upon economic and social issues, criticizing that the country still lags behind in using EU support.
Talking international affairs, Grybauskaite highlighted threats to global trade and international agreements, saying "global multilateral diplomacy is in crisis", and new forms of cooperation are needed.
"We need to strengthen bilateral relations with strategic partners and our closest neighbors and to expand our circle of friends," said Grybauskaite.
It was the ninth annual address by Grybauskaite, who became the President of Lithuania in 2009 and is currently serving her second five-year term, which began in 2014.