MEPs on Monday quizzed Commissioners Dombrovskis and Gentiloni on planned measures to tackle the looming economic crisis due to COVID-19.

“Creation of the National Defence System began three decades ago in extremely complicated political conditions, and after various transformations and reforms it has grown into a versatile and modern national defence system that enjoys all-time high confidence of the Lithuanian society and foreign partners. Born in difficult conditions, today we are stronger than ever before,” Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis says on the eve of the National Defence System anniversary on April 25.

On 22 April, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Albinas Zanavičius participated in a video conference of the EU Ministers for European Affairs and discussed the EU’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

On 22 April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius participated in a video conference of the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers, who discussed how to better support Ukraine and other countries in the Eastern partnership in times of Covid-19 pandemic.

At the recommendation of the Ministry of Health, the Government has extended the quarantine for another two weeks, until 11 May. The second phase of quarantine easing begins next week.

President Gitanas Nausėda held a video call with the International Monetary Fund mission chief for Lithuania Borja Gracia and regional adviser for Lithuania Marijus Bernatavičius.

MEPs want to see a massive recovery package to support the European economy after the COVID-19 crisis, including recovery bonds guaranteed by the EU budget.

Europeans expect the EU and governments to act decisively to pave a way out of the crisis and build a more resilient Europe, MEPs said during a plenary debate on 16 April.

Ways to help farmers in supplying food during the COVID-19 pandemic will be debated by the Agriculture Committee and Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski on Wednesday from 15.00.

President Sassoli offered condolences to the families of the victims of COVID-19 and thanked health workers and engaged citizens.