The meeting covered the key issues on the European Council agenda. On the Covid-19 pandemic, the participants discussed coordination, vaccine supply and vaccination, and measures to control the pandemic consequences.
They also talked about the EU economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic, including the implementation of the European Economic Recovery Plan Next Generation EU.
Lithuania expects to have its National Economic Recovery and Resilience Plan approved in July.
Ingrida Šimonytė expressed concern over the growing illegal migration flows across the Lithuanian-Belarusian border.
‘The illegal migration is weaponised by the Belarussian regime. Therefore, EU’s attention to migration on both the southern as well as eastern borders is key. The use of migrants for political purposes - what we are seeing now in Belarus - must be strongly condemned’, said Ingrida Šimonytė.
The Head of the Lithuanian Government expressed appreciation for the solidarity shown with Lithuania following the hijacking of the plane.
On Russia, the Lithuanian Prime Minister urged not to repeat mistakes based on illusions about the possibility of constructive dialogue with the Kremlin, and to judge Russia’s actions realistically instead.
‘Russia is currently following the logic and methods of the Soviet Union. The consequences of such Kremlin policy for its neighbours and the world are very well known not only from history textbooks but also from our own memory’, said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister underlined that the resumption of EU-Russia summits would be a red line for Lithuania, and the Kremlin would see this step as a sign that the aggressor’s role in the international arena is paying off and remains unpunished.
The Prime Minister called for the development of a contingency plan as a deterrent against potential further provocative actions from Russia. European leaders must clearly reiterate the Russia.
The participants also discussed the relations with Turkey, the situation in Libya, Ethiopia, and the Sahel.
The Prime Minister has been regularly participating in the preparatory meetings of the European Council at the invitation of the President of EPP Donald Tusk.
