“Lithuania, together with other like-minded states, proposes to create favorable conditions for European manufacturers to expand vaccine production capacities and create news ones. We can use a wide range of measures, including the development of private-public partnerships, the advancement of innovation, the improvement of supply chains, and the provision of financial support,” the President said, adding that an increase in vaccine output was necessary not only for the EU’s aim of achieving broad public immunity this coming summer, but also for effective containment of virus mutations spreading across Europe.
According to the President, we should seek to have new manufacturing and research companies set up in Lithuania and to integrate Lithuanian enterprises and life science centers into the European pharmaceutical and vaccine development, production and supply chains.
Gitanas Nausėda voiced support for the firm stand of EU institutions in their negotiations with manufacturers to secure vaccine supplies according to specific long-term timetables.
Leaders endorsed the European Commission's efforts to create a mechanism for making EU-vaccines available to third countries, especially Eastern Partnership countries.
The President welcomed the HERA Incubator programme initiated by the Commission to study COVID-19 variants and prepare for the development of new vaccines. He also underscored the need to strengthen the single market in the face of viral mutations.
Leaders emphasized the importance of building green corridors for speedy deliveries and exchanged views on the introduction of vaccine passports.
“The vaccination passport would not only make the single market function more effectively, but it would also contribute to the development of international contacts,” the President said.
According to Gitanas Nausėda, the meeting’s focus on countering the growing threat of disinformation was no less important in the context of global fight against the pandemic. The President called for reinforcing a coordinated response to disinformation on vaccination in EU countries.
The second day of the meeting to be held on Friday, February 26, will focus on security and defense as well as on EU relations with the Southern Neighborhood. The President will highlight the importance of the ambitious Eastern Partnership agenda and the deteriorating human rights situation in Russia.
