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“Actually, we are not talking about specific purchases. (…) We have to choose a strategy for what we do, which is risk. Today, there is still no vaccine, we are talking about (…) what path do we choose for the country, take risks, not take risks, to what extent take risks? They are decisions related to the health, life and economy of our population. (…)
We run the risk of not having the vaccine. We may have an ineffective vaccine. We may have too much vaccine, ”said S. Skvernelis.
Neither the Head of Government nor the Minister of Health detail how much the vaccine would cost Lithuania, so far it is only the approximate number, which will be more than 100 million. euros. For comparison, the House of Lords cost Lithuania 106 million. euros.
Key decisions – Wednesday
Prime Minister S. Skvernel constantly seeks collective responsibility for the decision to buy the vaccine. That is, it is up to the State Defense Council (VGT) to decide. The Presidency does not consider the VGT format appropriate.
“It just came to our attention then. We are not talking about any public procurement procedure, as some of the president’s advisers try to present. It is not even discussed. That process is established, it is carried out by law. it will meet the requirements of both the EU and Lithuania. We are talking about strategy. (…) These are decisions related to the health, life and economy of our population, “said S. Skvernelis.
According to the head of government, if Lithuania did not vaccinate the population, the consequences for the Lithuanian economy would be greater than the price of the vaccine.
“It just came to our notice then. As a result, those solutions are truly VGT. Even more so when we are discussing such issues there, from the construction of railway sidings to specific purchases, at what price and of what, what armaments to buy. This results in to that double standard. It is a strange position for me, but it is expressed, and we will not try to follow that path any more, “said S. Skvernelis.
The ruling Seimas coalition council will meet on Tuesday and a meeting of the National Security Commission will be held in the government, but the prime minister says key decisions will be made only on Wednesday during the government meeting.
“Today we will only present the strategy and issues to the coalition council, and the National Security Commission will present the situation to its members and vote on which alternative to choose,” said S. Skvernelis.
Without going into details, the head of government said he was choosing between four alternatives. The prime minister promised to provide more information (without compromising confidentiality requirements) on monetary amounts, vaccine volumes and risks after Wednesday’s government meeting.
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