The first speaker from Lithuanian member of European Parliament was Valdemar Tomaševski, the leader of the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania. He spoke on the behalf of the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists - one of the biggest fractions in the European Parliament.

The chairman of the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania stressed that the Lithuanian presidency of the EU Council should concentrate on economic growth, equal opportunities, values, and solidarity in Europe.

WT w PEValdemar Tomaševski emphasized the need to take action in order to eliminate huge disparities in subsidies between the farmers of the new and old member countries.

Valdemar Tomaševski

'Lithuanian presidency is starting at the tough time for the EU. The Union is in a deep economic crisis, huge rates of unemployment and the crisis of values. There are a few issues that I want you to take into account. One of the main slogans of the Union is Europe of equal opportunities. But can we talk about equal opportunities when the farmers of new members of the EU are receiving lower subsidies than their colleagues from the Western Europe. The long-lasting period of transition is already over, however, our new budgetary perspective is concentrated on the unequal distribution of agricultural subsidies. So what equal opportunities are we talking about? I hope that you, Madam President, will pay attention so that Orwell's expression 'all are equal but some are more equal than others' will not be implemented' - said the member of European Parliament Valdemar Tomaševski.

In his speech, he also stressed the threats related to the nuclear plant that is being constructed in Astravyets, Belarus, near the border with Lithuania.

'European solidarity - it is extremely necessary when talking about energetic security. But can we talk about European solidarity when one of the member states is building Nord Stream pipes and ignore the prostests from Central and Eastern European countries. It is obvious that the Union voice has to be unanimous because it is the only way to ensure the security of energy sector. There is also another issue closely related to energy. I have in mind the construction of nuclear plant in Belarus, at direct neighbourhood with the Union, 40 kilometres from the capital of Lithuania. The example of Fukushima should make us think about this. I hope that this will be prevented for the sake of the safety of the citizens of the EU' - said Valdemar Tomaševski. This part of his speech was followed by applause.

Valdemar Tomaševski also said that he believes in the respect for the rights of national minorities. He expressed his hope that, in this case, Lithuania will follow the example set by Denmark and Finland.

'United in diversity - it is the motto of the Union. Indeed, the EU promotes cultural and linguistic diversity. However, even in this day and age, some of the EU members are not following this rule and does not show respect for the rights cultural minorities. A good example for solving this problem is Denmark and Finland. I hope that Madam President will implement these norms.'

Valdemar Tomaševski said that the crisis in Europe could be solved in accordance with Christian values.

'If Europe wants to get out of the crisis of values, it needs to return to its roots. We need to return to the founding ideas that were expressed by Robert Schumann. Europe needs to create its own identity based on the Christian values. I am convinced as well as my colleagues at AECR that Europe has to stay 'The Europe of homelands'. This would enable us to maintain identity and cultural diversity. Europe of economic growth, Europe of equal opportunities, Europe of values, and European solidarity - these are the ideas that should decide on the direction of the Lithuanian presidency' - the speech was ended by Valdemar Tomaševski on the bahalf of the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists.

The member of the European Parliament in his speech raised important issues that attracted attention and was even quoted by other speakers. It is important to note that Tomaševski not only won a strong position in the European Parliament that enabled him to speak on the behalf of the whole AECR party and had the longest time for his speech but also presented an extremely positive and official speech that stood out from others.

Questions related to the current situation and problems of Polish ethnic minority in Lithuania were also mentioned by other members of the European Parliament.

The member of AECR party, Mirosław Piotrowski emphasized the discrimination against Poles and stressed the fact that they are living in Lithuania for centuries.

'Polish people were treated badly by numerous Lithuanian governments' - said Piotrowski. 'They are deprived of their European rights, for example, they are not allowed to use their native language in government institutions, to write their names using Polish letters in official documents, to write the names of the streets in Polish, or even keep Polish schools open.'

Csaba Sándor Tabajdi

The member of the European Parliament also reminded about various cases of hooliganism and desecration of Polish cemeteries. In most cases, such things happen in Vilnius Rasos cemetery where most of the famous Vilnius residents are burried. The heart of Juzef Pidsulski, famous marshall, is also burried in this cemetery together with his mother. This grave is of extreme importance for all Poles - it is considered national mausoleum. The desecration of cemeteries and the disturbance of the peace of the deceased is a radical form of hatred which is the consequence of the constant suspision towards Poles and the persecution of Polish ethnic minority.

M. Piotrowski also encouraged Lithuania to first start various symbolic actions that could show its desire to come back to European standards and that would prove that Lithuania's actions in the EU Council are authentic.

The member of the EU Parliament from Hungary, Csaba Sándor Tabajdi, from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament emphasized that importance of the participation of Polish ethnic minority in the coalition government of Lithuania. He also addressed the President of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaitė, with the hope that Lithuania will soon be able to solve altogether the problem of ethnic minorities.

Press office of EAPL and www.L24.lt