“Today, Lithuania stands on the verge of opportunity similar to the one it had before accession to the EU in 2004. The EU Recovery Fund, as well as the next EU multiannual financial framework, provides with an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen and transform the economy. Using these funds for the development of smart cities and towns we can build a more competitive economy and improve the standard of living of our citizens and focus on regional prosperity”, the President said.
The President reminded that in his vision of the welfare state presented in October, to the decision-makers he emphasized the need steer the economy towards the creation of added value not only in large cities but also investments in regional development.
According to the President, concern for the future of regions starts with promotion of regional financial autonomy. In 2020, the President’s Office in cooperation with Create Lithuania team presented a study and an action plan for empowerment of regions. In September, a memorandum on strengthening the financial autonomy of local authorities was signed by the leaders of political parties at the initiative of the President.
“Development of smart cities and regions provides our citizens with opportunities to live meaningful and fulfilling lives wherever they live, in the capital or a small town. Through technological progress we can reduce regional exclusion, make public services and public infrastructure more convenient for our citizens, more green, adaptable and better tailored to certain vulnerable groups”, the President said adding that the application of smart technologies and solutions in the development of cities and regions is an opportunity to unite society. That is highly important as Lithuania fights the spread of the pandemic and its consequences.
The President proposed setting up a new program or fund for regional investments in order to develop smarter regions that would be more convenient for both young people and our seniors to live in.
The President stressed that Lithuania had come a long way in strengthening the economy and improving the standard of living. According to the President, at the beginning of the 21st century, Lithuania’s GDP per capita was only about 40 percent of the EU average, which currently stands at around 80 percent of the EU average. Lithuania’s economic progress in this respect is the second-best result in the entire EU.
A virtual debate on the development of smart cities and regions was organized together with French and Lithuanian public institutions, embassies and the French and Lithuanian business communities. The event is a continuation of the working visit of the President of France Emmanuel Macron to Lithuania, establishing close bilateral relations and cooperation.
French Ambassador to Lithuania Claire Lignieres-Counathe, President of the Association of Lithuanian Local Authorities Mindaugas Sinkevičius, Lithuanian Ambassador to France Nerijus Aleksiejūnas, Chairman of the French Business Association Gérard Wolf, Representative of Dijon City Municipality Denis Hameau, Mayor of Tauragė Dovydas Kaminskas, Adviser to Vilnius Municipality Eglė Radvilė, General Director of Enterprise Lithuania Daina Kleponė and Lithuanian business representatives as well as other participants spoke in the debate.
The event was organized in cooperation with the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, the Lithuanian Embassy in France, the French Embassy in Lithuania, the French Business Association MEDEF International and Enterprise Lithuania. Over 100 representatives of Lithuanian and French local authorities, central government and the business community participated at the event. The debate aims to encourage collaboration between Lithuania and France in urban and regional development, implementation of innovations and prepare for the establishment of a municipal investment program funded with the funds from the investment plan of the EU Recovery Fund.