The meeting focused on the use of funds from the Recovery and Resiliency Facility.
“We have a unique opportunity to strengthen Lithuania’s economy and raise it to a higher level. We can and must emerge stronger and more resilient from the crisis created by the pandemic and build an innovation-oriented, sustainable and greener future for our country and for Europe,” the President said.
Gitanas Nausėda expressed hope that the final Economic Recovery Plan and its implementation will give special attention to green and digital transformation in the regions, the development of circular economy and the build-up of resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Among the other issues addressed was the agenda for the forthcoming European Council meeting of May 25 on combating climate change.
The President underlined that Lithuania supported the EU’s ambition to achieve rapid change in the fight against climate change and maintained the position that ambitious goals should be supported by adequate financial instruments. When planning climate change counter measures, it was necessary to share the burden fairly between member states, considering the criteria of energy poverty, depopulation and other national characteristics.
The meeting also addressed the Baltic Sea-related environmental issues, including chemical pollution and declining biodiversity. It was agreed that economic activity in the Baltic Sea should be based on the principles of circular economy, environment-friendly technologies and renewable energy.
Virginijus Sinkevičius presented the European Commission's plan to approve the EU action plan on zero air, water and soil pollution in the near future. The President welcomed the intention to pay more attention to public involvement in environmental initiatives, which is one of the main principles of the Green Lithuania Initiative.
