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The heads of government expressed their positions on security issues, discussed the situation in Afghanistan, Belarus and Russia, and discussed the relations of the European Union (EU) with China. At the meeting held at the Italian Government Palace (Palazzo Chigi), much attention was paid to the issue of illegal migration and the situation on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border.
“Although Italy is often seen in our society as a source of tourism, fashion or other great things, business cooperation is quite intense. Okay, but there could be more. We also talked about it, about a possible business mission to Lithuania. We also talked about global challenges: the issue of migration, which is very important for Lithuania due to the actions of the Lukashenko regime, the situation in Afghanistan, we briefly discussed the situation in Russia, as we see it.
What is very important is that both Italy and Lithuania are very inclined to trust the EU as an institution in their decisions and plans, but also in the strategic partnership between Europe and the United States, and that unites us very strongly, “he said in a interview with Draghi granted to the Lithuanian portal ITLIETUVIAI.IT by I. Šimonytė.
The Lithuanian head of government stressed that, although both countries have to fight against the same challenge: illegal immigration, the situation on the border between Italy and Lithuania cannot be evaluated equally.
“Unfortunately, Italy is on such a natural migratory route and this path is very dangerous because you have to try to reach the other shore by sea. But this, as in the case of Greece, is a migration route that has formed geographically naturally over time. What happened on the border between Lithuania, Poland and Latvia with Belarus is a completely different matter. Both we and the EU see this as an attack of a hybrid nature. This is an orchestrated migratory flow, created especially with the participation of the institutions of the Belarusian regime, and here there is a very big and fundamental difference ”, emphasized I. Šimonytė.
I. Šimonytė told the Italian media: protecting the borders does not mean not providing humanitarian aid. According to the Prime Minister, Italy’s experience in dealing with various immigration-related issues can be helpful. During the migration crisis of 2016, a record number of refugees arrived in Italy: more than 170 thousand. by year. Since then, flows have slowed, but the upward trend has resumed in recent months.
“Lithuania is really trying to get hold of that experience from the countries that have found it in practice. Greece itself, where I visited in mid-July, has provided a lot of practical help to Lithuania, including at the institutional level, said the Prime Minister. Lithuanian to the ITLIETUVIAI.IT portal. – Our figures may seem small, but we must remember that when comparing the population, it is already a considerable number. “The rate at which the number and the potential grew, how much it could have grown if the regime of Lukashenko had succeeded in implementing all plans developed by air, it posed a particularly great risk for Lithuania. “
The Prime Minister noted that neither Italy nor Lithuania were left alone to fight the migration crisis. The situation on the border of Lithuania, Poland and Latvia with Belarus has shown that this is not a problem of the East or the South, but a common European concern that requires the contribution of all, because solidarity is not an empty word but a value. of the EU. According to I. Šimonytė, further EU efforts are also needed to strengthen the external protection of the Community’s borders.
“This is a big challenge, especially where migration flows are naturally formed and have great potential due to the large number of people. Of course, they also make the EU think about migration policy a little less from the point of view of idealism and more from the point of view of viability ”, stressed I. Šimonytė, who met with the Prime Minister of Italy.
When asked about another common challenge, managing the pandemic, the prime minister said she was aware of steps taken by Italy, the country hardest hit by Koranavirus in Europe, to avoid another economic stoppage. In Italy, on August 6, the so-called green passport was introduced, which allows certain services only to those who are immune to the coronavirus. Their use has expanded since September 1: Green passports must be carried by educational personnel and passengers on high-speed trains, ferries, and airplanes. The possibility of introducing it to employees throughout the public sector is not ruled out.
“We don’t talk much about it, because we constantly monitor the statistics and decisions of different countries. I am sure that I am following the information about what is happening in Italy. We have postponed the entry into force of the Opportunity Passport, allowing as many people as possible to get vaccinated and thus protect themselves, their loved ones and the health system, whose services are very important.
But, unfortunately, it should be noted that the growth rate of newly vaccinated people has slowed very sharply in the last week and a half. Therefore, I see very little possibility of avoiding the introduction of the restrictions that have been adopted but have not yet entered into force. This means that they will enter into force as soon as it is planned, that is, on September 13, but if it will be necessary to expand them or if there will be a need for other solutions will depend largely on how the situation of the hospital is and what the situation of the hospital is like. vaccination will look like this.
My feeling is that everyone (in Lithuania) knew someone who died or whose loved ones died from the fighting. But that doesn’t seem like a good argument for the conspirators. They even came up with such an inhuman theory that they were still old people. From these “advisers” comes the following advice: let the government be less concerned. I can’t help but worry about the people who died even though they could live. For many people, vaccination can really protect. And that action, even before the Pope’s calls (to get vaccinated), is really very difficult for me to understand, “said I. Šimonytė.
He stressed the belief that the economies of countries affected by the pandemic would recover, with funding from a specially created EU Recovery Fund. The first funds from the fund have already reached community members.
“There are certain horizontal priorities that the EU has set itself. This is, first of all, what relates to the green path and what relates to digital transformation. These are the frames you need to play in. Given that the 27 countries have to play within the same framework, that is, make decisions that go in the same direction, I think the overall result for the EU could be really very good, ”said I. Šimonytė.
The prime ministers of both countries also spoke about the prospects for closer economic cooperation between Lithuania and Italy. Before visiting the Italian media, I. Šimonytė mentioned that Italy is among the top ten most important economic partners of Lithuania. Above all, Lithuania would like to attract Italian companies that develop high value-added products and their investments. Therefore, the Prime Minister met in Rome with the leaders of the main Italian life sciences companies: Menarini Group, ReiThera and Bracco Group.
“One of the provisions of our Government’s program is qualitative economic change. We would like the economy to remain less low and medium low in value added, as it dictates low wages, low incomes and a perpetual debate on how to further pressure the costs.
Still, the emphasis should be on discoveries, on science, on the brain, on higher technologies. Let’s say life sciences where Italy is strong and some other areas could offer good potential for collaboration. I would have hoped that this could bear more fruit than the natural economic ties that already exist, ”emphasized the Prime Minister.
The Lithuanian Head of Government later met with members of the Lithuanian community in Italy and discussed the most relevant issues of the diaspora. According to the Prime Minister, meetings with Lithuanian communities in all countries often call for a repeat referendum on amendments to the Constitution, which would allow Lithuanians who have become citizens of another country to retain Lithuanian citizenship.
According to I. Šimonytė, she personally supports the amendments to the Constitution, but the failure of the previous referendum could have been foreseen. It is said that this Government, which has included the organization of the referendum in the list of priority tasks, will prepare itself more responsibly.
“When the first referendum was held in a very short time, in my opinion without success, there was probably not such a strong incentive on the government’s agenda to speak in favor and run a positive campaign. That short campaign was carried out on such a drunken path, and that is probably the answer to why the referendum was a failure, the head of government emphasized. – What must be done and what the government and the ruling coalition are going to do is agree on the wording itself as soon as possible to launch a referendum campaign.
I believe that the referendum should be held with the presidential election for the sole purpose of activism, as this is an event that can gather a sufficient number of people at the polls, which is necessary in case of this change. I hope that this campaign, together with the diaspora and other interested institutions and groups, will be successful for future generations. “
The Prime Minister assured that the widely dispersed Lithuanian diaspora could do a lot to help Lithuania with its expertise, especially to overcome current challenges.
“People can help and contribute in many ways. There are professional clubs that focus on the very important. But anyway, I think people just contribute to the fact that Lithuania is stronger simply because they consider themselves Lithuanians, wherever they live, ”said I. Šimonytė to advertise in Italy.
The Lithuanian prime minister will dedicate the last day of his visit to Rome to the Vatican. A meeting of the Lithuanian Prime Minister with Pope Francis is scheduled for Friday, September 3. During his visit to the Vatican, Šimonytė will also meet with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolini, the Vatican Secretary for Relations with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, visit the Order of Malta in Rome and meet with the Grand Chancellor of the Albrecht Freiherri Order.
