During a very important plenary session at the European Parliament, the leader of the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania, Valdemar Tomaševski, was speaking on the behalf of the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists. The member of the European Parliament stressed that the Lithuanian presidency of the EU Council should concentrate on economic growth, equal opportunities, values, and solidarity in Europe.
Valdemar Tomaševski emphasized the need to take action in order to eliminate huge disparities in subsidies between the farmers of the new and old member countries.
'Lithuanian presidency is starting at the tough time for the EU. The Union is in a deep economic crisis, huge rates of unemployment and the crisis of values. There are a few issues that I want you to take into account. One of the main slogans of the Union is Europe of equal opportunities. But can we talk about equal opportunities when the farmers of new members of the EU are receiving lower subsidies than their colleagues from the Western Europe. The long-lasting period of transition is already over, however, our new budgetary perspective is concentrated on the unequal distribution of agricultural subsidies. So what equal opportunities are we talking about? I hope that you, Madam President, will pay attention so that Orwell's expression 'all are equal but some are more equal than others' will not be implemented' - said the member of European Parliament Valdemar Tomaševski.
In his speech, he also stressed the threats related to the nuclear plant that is being constructed in Astravyets, Belarus, near the border with Lithuania.
'European solidarity - it is extremely necessary when talking about energetic security. But can we talk about European solidarity when one of the member states is building Nord Stream pipes and ignore the prostests from Central and Eastern European countries. It is obvious that the Union voice has to be unanimous because it is the only way to ensure the security of energy sector. There is also another issue closely related to energy. I have in mind the construction of nuclear plant in Belarus, at direct neighbourhood with the Union, 40 kilometres from the capital of Lithuania. The example of Fukushima should make us think about this. I hope that this will be prevented for the sake of the safety of the citizens of the EU' - said Valdemar Tomaševski. This part of his speech was followed by applause.
Valdemar Tomaševski also said that he believes in the respect for the rights of national minorities. He expressed his hope that, in this case, Lithuania will follow the example set by Denmark and Finland.
'United in diversity - it is the motto of the Union. Indeed, the EU promotes cultural and linguistic diversity. However, even in this day and age, some of the EU members are not following this rule and does not show respect for the rights cultural minorities. A good example for solving this problem is Denmark and Finland. I hope that Madam President will implement these norms.'
Valdemar Tomaševski said that the crisis in Europe could be solved in accordance with Christian values.
'If Europe wants to get out of the crisis of values, it needs to return to its roots. We need to return to the founding ideas that were expressed by Robert Schumann. Europe needs to create its own identity based on the Christian values. I am convinced as well as my colleagues at AECR that Europe has to stay 'The Europe of homelands'. This would enable us to maintain identity and cultural diversity. Europe of economic growth, Europe of equal opportunities, Europe of values, and European solidarity - these are the ideas that should decide on the direction of the Lithuanian presidency' - the speech was ended by Valdemar Tomaševski.
The member of the European Parliament in his speech raised important issues that attracted attention and was even quoted by other speakers.
www.L24.lt
