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I. Šimonytė announced that on Friday the government would consider and submit to the Seimas a package of laws related to the construction of the border on the Belarusian border.
“We intend to use companies controlled by the state that can ensure the smooth implementation of the process from a managerial point of view, as well as a transparent implementation (…) The projects must be considered on Friday morning,” he said.
When asked what specific legal acts may need to be amended to build a border, I. Šimonytė said that in this case “deforestation” issues may be relevant, the laws regulating construction may need to be changed, at that time the public procurement during an emergency situation and therefore facilities, therefore, it is unlikely that it will be necessary to change the laws that govern them.
“Specialists are working on it and the package will be delivered on Friday,” he said.
According to the Prime Minister, it is desired that there be no doubts about the transparency of the project, but at the same time the aim is not to create a situation where a project of key importance is caught in procedural obstacles.
The discussion with the EC will not be easy
When asked with what funds we will build the border, I. Šimonytė stated that the works will start with state funds.
“As the budget is in deficit, it will just mean borrowed funds, but if we can wait, we can really appeal, but if we can request financial support from the EU, the question remains open. I think this question will be raised not only by us, but also by other EU countries that protect the external border, because the situation we are facing now is not in any way specifically Lithuanian, it can also occur on other borders ”, he said.
The debate, he said, will not be easy, because for a long time the European Commission was reluctant to talk about funding for a physical barrier, but only about those measures that involve surveillance.
“All this is very important and very necessary, financial support will be very important for that, but it works best when there is a combination of measures, which allows real-time monitoring of sufficiently large border stretches,” said the prime minister.
Who could implement the projects? According to the Prime Minister, they could be companies in the energy sector that have experience with large projects and “are able to carry them out in a transparent, timely manner and within the planned budget.”
The Prime Minister recalled that the projects related to the use of the army will be presented to the Seimas, which promises to hold an extraordinary session on August 10.
“Legislation related to the use of the army in border surveillance is being submitted to the Seimas,” the prime minister said on Wednesday after the session.
“We have heard the lie before”
When asked about the statement by the Belarusian State Border Committee that an Iraqi citizen died in the vicinity of the Benekainiai settlement, I. Šimonytė stated that he had no information on any excess on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border.
“I am not aware of any information about the excesses that had taken place in Lithuania or on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border. The Belarusian government is responsible for what is happening in Belarus,” I. Šimonytė was quoted as saying by BNS.
He added that in the past the Minsk regime has spread several false stories in an attempt to compromise Lithuanian officials.
“We know very well the stories that have been used many times in propaganda wars, we know the story of the crucified child in Ukraine and all the similar lies that are used in such a situation. I think this is something to be expected, because we have heard lies before, about pregnant women being hit with a telescopic baton by someone and about all other similar accusations against our officials, “said the Prime Minister.
“I want to emphasize that Lithuanian officials, in the performance of their duties, fulfill their international obligations and ours as a state, and the Belarusian government is responsible for what and where has been found on the territory of Belarus,” he added.
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