The President and the European Commissioner discussed the mid-term review of the EU’s funding priorities and the multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027. Gitanas Nausėda pointed out that the focus should be on ensuring the sustainable development of the European Union and financing those areas that require the full attention of all member states. It is crucial to maintain and increase financial support for Ukraine as well as to boost funding for other areas relevant to the security of Europeans and Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine: military mobility, border protection and war refugee solutions.
Among the other issues discussed were proposals for new own resources – sources of revenue – for the EU budget. The President expressed Lithuania’s support for the carbon border adjustment mechanism and the taxation of profits generated by major multinational companies. Gitanas Nausėda also voiced some reservations about creating a revenue source based on the EU emissions trading scheme. According to the President, this is currently Lithuania’s main source of funding for climate-related measures.
The President and the European Commissioner also exchanged views on the draft EU budget for 2024. Gitanas Nausėda underscored the importance of securing funding for agriculture and cohesion policy and the need to increase support for Ukraine. “Given the ongoing Russian aggression and the urgent need to rebuild Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, we must ensure continued and increased EU financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine,” the President said.
