"Those who voted for the euro adoption must take political responsibility. The next year is the election year and I believe voters will evaluate such position accordingly because it is disastrous for Lithuania. We have become hostages of the euro area. () Some people are working hard, while others do not wish to work, some are saving, while others are spending. Thus we are now supporters of the euro area, although our standard of living is one of the lowest," Tomasevski said at a press conference.
According to him, Lithuania should not have rushed to join the euro area. The politician reminded that MPs representing the LLRA either voted against euro accession or abstained.
"The paradox today is that we, our people, have to be sponsors of Greece's economy. Whereas the Greeks, as we all know, live far better than us, their pensions and income are higher," emphasised Tomasevski.
He says that Lithuania already has to pay vast amounts to the European Stabilisation Mechanism (ESM), whereas in the future the amount to be paid will grow.
Talking about Lithuania's commitments to solving Greece's debt crisis Chairwoman of the LLRA political group in Parliament Rita Tamasuniene said that most Lithuanians resent this because the Lithuanian Government still owes them after cutting pensions, social benefits and wages during the global financial crisis some years ago.
Lithuania joined the euro area on 1 January 2015. On 3 February 2015, it joined the ESM and has to contribute EUR 327.2 million in five years, i.e. by EUR 65.4 million each year. The first payment was made on 11 February 2015.
