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According to the report, the discussion about the COVID-19 pandemic focused on coordination, vaccine provision and vaccination issues, and managing the consequences of the pandemic.
The recovery of the community economy after the pandemic was also discussed, including the implementation of the EU’s next generation European Economic Recovery Plan.
Lithuania expects the National Economic Recovery and Resilience Plan presented by the government to be approved in July.
At the meeting, I. Šimonytė emphasized that illegal migration flows continue to grow across the border between Lithuania and Belarus.
“This illegal migration is artificially encouraged by the Belarusian regime itself. This requires an EU-wide approach to migration in both the South and the East. The use of migrants for political purposes, which we are seeing now in Belarus, must be strongly condemned, “said I. Šimonytė.
The head of the Lithuanian Government thanked the solidarity shown with Lithuania after the hijacking of the plane.
In the discussion on Russia, the Lithuanian prime minister asked not to repeat mistakes based on illusions about the possibility of a constructive dialogue with the Kremlin, but a realistic assessment of Russia’s actions.
“Russia is currently following the logic and methods of the Soviet Union’s actions; the consequences of such a Kremlin policy for its neighbors and the world are well known not only from history textbooks, but also from our memory.” noted the prime minister.
He stressed that the resumption of the EU summits with Russia is a red line for Lithuania, and the Kremlin would see this step as a sign that the aggressor’s role in the international arena is paying off and remains unpunished.
The Prime Minister called for the development of a contingency plan as a deterrent to possible further actions by Russia. European leaders must clearly reiterate the “Five Principles”, which are the only strategy to preserve the unity of the EU in its relations with Russia.
The meeting also focused on relations with Turkey, the situation in Libya, Ethiopia and the Sahel.
The Lithuanian Prime Minister regularly participates in the preparatory meetings of the European Council (CEC) at the invitation of the ERC President Mr. Tusk.
