Next Generation Lithuania plan and illegal migration from Belarus discussed with President of European Commission

Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has met, earlier today, with President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen to discuss the EC’s assessment of the national recovery and resilience plan ‘Next Generation Lithuania’ , economic recovery of the European Union (EU), efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic, and EU's response to the challenges posed by the Belarusian regime.

The Prime Minister has pointed out that the funds of the national recovery and resilience plan have been planned for reforms towards greater resilience against future challenges, and towards more sustainable growth.  A total of EUR 2.2 billion has been allocated for the plan, which will reach Lithuania in instalments by 2026.

There has been an exchange of views on the rapidly spreading COVID-19 Delta mutation and the resulting risks in the fight against the pandemic, the pace of economic recovery in the EU, and the risk of inflation.

Ingrida Šimonytė and U. von der Leyen have also discussed the unprecedented illegal migration organised by the Belarusian regime across the Lithuanian-Belarusian border.  The Prime Minister has thanked the EC and other EU institutions for their support in sending officials and planning additional funding for reinforced control of the EU’s external borders.

‘The increasing flows of migration from Belarus is, in fact, a common challenge for the entire EU, and it calls for close coordination of actions between Lithuania and the EU institutions in that regard’, said Ingrida Šimonytė.

It should be recalled that the integrated plan ‘Next Generation Lithuania’ was approved by the Government back on 14 May 2021. It is, in fact, part of the plan for the implementation of the provisions of the Government programme.  An estimated EUR 2 225 billion will be allocated for the seven component categories of this plan: green transformation, digital transformation, health, social affairs, science and innovation, education, and public administration.  The priorities of this plan include renewable electricity generation, sustainable transport, energy efficiency, boosting digitalisation, education, science and innovation, investment in health, labour market, social inclusion, and public sector efficiency.

Although EUR 2 225 billion allocation for the national plan ‘Next Generation Lithuania’ is of great significance for national transformation, it is not the only one.  As a matter of fact, the funds from this source represent but  about one-seventh of the total funds earmarked for progress in future periods. This facility is part of the overall European Union’s package Next Generation EU to stimulate growth and support preparedness for future challenges, it includes such funding instruments as REACT-EU, the Just Transition Mechanism and EURI for rural development.  Additional transformation-driven initiatives may be implemented in the future through other progress instruments.