What Vytenis Povilas spoke about.

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Written Statements EN

EU-US trade negotiations (debate)

Dear colleagues, dear Commissioner, The EU is a very strong trade power globally. We have a lot of trade agreements with many countries, world-wide. Trump is arrogant and unpredictable, and it is his weakness, but you, commissioner, are reliable and experienced, and that is your strength. We trust you. A deal is possible, the EU goal is to reintroduce tariff levels, explore commercial opportunities, but we can‘t accept any negotiations on our legislation, on our high food safety standards and on our issues related to digital technologies. Our strength is „reciprocal“ tariffs, WTO rules and our trade agreements, with new global partners.

21

May

2026

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The Union’s preparedness for and response to health emergencies: the case of the MV Hondius and the hantavirus warning (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, thank you very much indeed for your very excellent presentation. Of course, let me say to the room, to our Parliament, that we had a Zika outbreak, we had Ebola, monkeypox, COVID-19. Now, once again, hantavirus. It shows how important it is to have in our hands a European solidarity mechanism, EU Civil Protection Mechanism, a strong ECDC and, of course, budget. Commissioner, please tell me, are you ready to defend the EU4Health programme, which should allow us to be more active and stronger. Of course, there are shortages in healthcare and a lot of challenges in front of us. But also, let me remind you that we need to conclude the pandemic treaty because on 1 May it was not achieved. We need to move forward, pressing globally our governments to ratify the annexe of this treaty. This is an emergency. We need to do it.

21

May

2026

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European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Stop destroying videogames’ (debate)

Dear President of the meeting, Commissioner. There are a lot of right arguments here. It is quite obvious that this is an unfair practice on the one hand, that it is a business model, that there is an opportunity to have new and new customers all the time. This is unfair profit and piracy. But it's also important to understand that it's both intellectual protection, creators' rights, and cultural heritage. In this examination, it is necessary to look at where, when and how to legitimise, in order to protect those games that have a long-standing cultural heritage. But, Commissioner, it would be good to also pay attention to the protection of children. You will still do the research. It would also be good to study the negative effects on children and to protect them while introducing rules, to protect children, as children's vulnerability and dependence on games is also a major problem. Therefore, as a former Commissioner for Health, I would like to point out that you should also look at this issue.

20

May

2026

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Rights, support and protection of victims of crime (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner. When I was a member of the Seimas, I had to visit prisons, children's prisons, women's prisons. As Minister of Health, I had to propose solutions to protect the rights of victims. It is very painful because the European Union has ratified the Istanbul Convention, but there are countries that not only do not ratify, but withdraw the Istanbul Convention. There are countries where constitutional norms violate rights. Commissioner, it is also important to say that the courts and the voice of the courts in the administration of justice and the defence of victims must also be heard. There are proposals to stimulate cooperation between the courts of the European Union in the protection of victims. Their voice must be heard. Everything is said very correctly here. We really have a lot to do, because victims in particular suffer from a culture of hatred, when even more of them are exposed to it in the press.

20

May

2026

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Recent proposals to fight poverty in the EU (debate)

Madam President, dear Commissioner, welcome. A very nice strategy. Please go forward. But please keep in mind the slogan, 'One Europe. Health and social justice for all, and one market'. You need to send such a narrative around all 27 Member States, because it's about the social component, which is so important in your file: children and poverty. You know that the social determinants in health show a very dramatic picture. Those people are suffering from different types of chronic diseases and so on, especially children. And of course, please include the poverty strategy in the country‑specific recommendations. And please impress upon the Member States that they need to implement the anti-poverty strategy in all 27 Member States, using a lot of tools. Because we need now to have implementation of the strategy at Member State level, at community level. Please. We're ready to support you.

20

May

2026

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High time to deliver on the Single Market, providing certainty and predictability for EU businesses and quality jobs (continuation of debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, you know, this slogan 'One Europe, One Market' is not enough. One market, one health and social justice and one Europe – it is a picture. And we need to think about those three components of our direction. Three components – they are equally valid. You know, I am 75. I was involved in European matters from 1999. I heard about the digital union, the banking union, the energy union, the European Economic and Monetary Union, now the European defence union, the railway union and now the European Health Union. How many unions we promise to build, and still it is not done. Can you promise that by 2035 we will complete those unions, and then we will have in our hands one Europe, one health, one justice and one EU market? It's clear what we can do, absolutely. Don't go into details. We need to have a very common picture, otherwise it would be very difficult to address all global challenges.

19

May

2026

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EU–Uzbekistan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (joint debate)

Mr President, Madam Commissioner, dear colleagues, Central Asia is gaining more strategic role in the world politics. Russia and China are both deepening their presence there. Europe should not leave this region behind. We should actively engage with it. The enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan is our answer. Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia, a state in transition and a valuable partner. The first EU-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand last April showed real momentum. We must not waste it. This agreement opens the door to deeper cooperation in different areas, starting from connectivity of critical raw materials, energy transition and so on, and supporting Afghanistan in their reforms and, crucially, on preventing the circumvention of our sanctions against Russia. Dialogue is not endorsement of cases of human rights. Abandoning Central Asia to others – that would be the real failure. We support this agreement and this partnership.

19

May

2026

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Europe's response to reduced US military deployments in Europe, particularly at its Eastern flank in the light of the latest US decisions (debate)

Madam President, Vice‑President of the Commission, colleagues, for over 70 years the Transatlantic Alliance was the backbone of global security. The U.S. decision to reduce troop deployment in Europe is regretful and irresponsible. The EU is strong in our soft power globally, but in defence not. However, we cannot outsource our security forever. Europe must now take responsibility for its own defence. That means real budgetary capabilities, real EU industry, real joint procurement mechanisms, personal equipment and also our solidarity in our eastern European Union flank. And it means our unwavering support to Ukraine. In a world this interconnected, any invasion will affect everyone. In the Union of 27, all 27 will suffer and bear the consequences. Every one would be affected. It is naive to think that being far from the eastern flank protects you from aggression. We want a strong EU defence and security union. We want a strong transatlantic partnership, but we cannot be held hostage to the mood of any single president. Europe will not be abandoned. Europe will defend itself.

19

May

2026

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Question Time with the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - EU’s strategy to address the current crises in the Middle East

Honourable Kaja Kallas, Honourable President of the sitting. In fact, there would be two simple questions for me. One question: Can you already say that the suspension of the Association Agreement that you have proposed can continue to be moved out of place in the Council? And the second question: Can you really assure us that the European Union will not participate in this so-called ‘formed Peace Council’?

19

May

2026

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Presentation of the Fertilisers Action Plan (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, thanks a lot, such a proposed fertiliser plan is a very good one. But of course, we need to discuss not only strategic plans, but also how we can address and react to this crisis because the situation is very unusual. And of course, fertilisers should also be excluded from sanctions, like water, like food. You have no chance to sanction water, to sanction food or to sanction medicine. Fertilisers belong to the same goods. They are strategic ones. We need to find ways of how we can solve problems, keeping in mind targeted sanctions, but not sanctioning fertilisers as such. Of course, it would also be good to discuss issues about state aid now. In Lithuania, we have two big factories that are producing ammonium and phosphates, but we need to also address issues because the situation is urgent. We need urgent action plans.

19

May

2026

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EU cybersecurity and preparedness in view of advanced AI systems (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, Minister, colleagues, it is obvious that the European Union must remain resilient, secure and prepared in the face of rapidly advancing AI technologies. Our democratic institutions, critical infrastructure, healthcare systems and citizens must be protected against new risks and challenges emerging from increasingly sophisticated AI systems. We must strengthen Europe's cyber-resilience against the misuse of advanced AI systems, including disinformation campaigns, automated surveillance, threats targeting critical infrastructure and democratic processes, health threats posed by AI, cyberattacks against hospitals. We must strengthen ENISA, turning it into a fully functioning agency. We must establish a comprehensive cyberdefence shield and infrastructure. But democratic and parliamentary oversight, human accountability, transparency and robust safeguards must remain central to any deployment of AI in security-related contexts. The use of AI in cybersecurity and defence does not undermine fundamental rights, social rights and democratic controls.

18

May

2026

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European solidarity: key to securing medicine access in a shifting geopolitical era (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, Europe has been dragged into a geopolitical reality. It did not choose Trump's unpredictable 'most favoured nation' concept, and tariffs threaten European patients; they threaten the medicines on which millions of European depend. European solidarity in securing access to medicines urgently must be underpinned by a strong and globally competitive pharmaceutical sector and strategy. Europe needs to make its own strategic choices by creating a favourable environment for research, investment, authorisation, clinical trials and functioning markets. The answer is the European Health Union: diversified supply chains, shared strategic reserves, joint procurement of some medicines, and the 'one Europe, one market' concept in pharmaceuticals. A recent call to open European dialogue on pharmaceuticals, bringing together EU institutions, Member States and stakeholders, is timely. European solidarity in securing medicines access must stop being a slogan – now it must become a structure.

18

May

2026

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The multiannual plan for the Baltic Sea and ways forward (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues. The Swedes spoke, and we are white, Lithuanians from the Baltic Sea, too. Thank you. Great report, fantastic. Professor Costa Cadiz, Commissioner Costa, you are a professor of biodiversity. Right now we need to get our shoulders together and really go out with a huge project to save the Baltic Sea ecosystem as such! We have to make a huge pilot project, not just a map of the bottom of the Baltic Sea, but let's try to raise the issue. We need totality. Comprehensive Baltic plan to support biodiversity in the Baltic Sea. I'm not going to mention war, Russians, or anything like that, that's it. We need a lot of effort because the Baltic Sea will be like the Aral Sea. How long will the disaster be, it is already on the verge of disaster!

30

Apr

2026

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Women’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, I am really pleased with the points you have made that you want to strengthen the promotion of female entrepreneurship in rural areas. And in particular, I would like to thank the rapporteur, who is indeed a very topical subject. I would like to remind you, Commissioner, that it would be good to take into account the requirements of the European Social Pillar, the LEADER programme, the STEAM programme, which could indeed provide for a whole package of measures to promote female entrepreneurship in rural areas, where it is particularly difficult for women. Both in terms of labour, infrastructure, digital services and access to financial support. It would be good to really reflect on which additional line of the Social Fund would specifically support women's entrepreneurship in the countryside. This would be a very constructive package. We look forward to your actions.

30

Apr

2026

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How to secure a sustainable future for the EU livestock sector in light of the need to ensure food security, farmers’ resilience and the challenges posed by animal diseases? (debate)

Mr President, honourable Commissioner, you have recently visited Lithuania. Together we got acquainted with the situation of Lithuanian agriculture, especially with the livestock sector. Indeed, dairy farming and pig farming in Lithuania are going through unspeakably dramatically difficult times and it is clear that we really need to think even about the sectoral points of the individual livestock programmes of the Member States, which could be recommended to the Member States in order for us to preserve the viability of the livestock sector. It is undoubtedly one of the major segments of the strategic food industry. This undoubtedly requires the segment to be integrated into the circular economy, into environmental diversity, conservation, etc., and animal welfare standards must be based on science-based criteria and not on pressures to the detriment of animal breeders.

29

Apr

2026

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Sudan’s abandoned humanitarian crisis: three years of conflict (debate)

Mr President, honourable Commissioner. Indeed, Sudan must be placed much more widely and deeply on the agendas of the Member States, national parliaments and the European Parliament. What is happening there is not being said in any words – I am a doctor, I can say it with courage. We can even call on the citizens of the European Union to make their own contributions, supporting all international humanitarian organisations, the Food Programme, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF. A large number of SOS requests ‘Donate now. Donate now’. We will also mobilise our civil society to contribute to the catastrophe that is lacking in words. Thank you for the Berlin conference. And, of course, genocide. In the European Parliament, we must agree that the United Arab Emirates should also be condemned for what they are doing with their arms exports.

29

Apr

2026

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Situation in Lebanon: implementation of the ceasefire, support peace efforts and humanitarian access (debate)

Honourable President of the sitting, Honourable Commissioner. I think that if we put the definition of the aggressor, the definitions of military crimes and aspects of the application of international criminal law on the table now, and try to assess the actions of the Netanyahu government both in Gaza and in the occupied West Bank and Lebanon, and also look at the parallels between the aggressive criminal actions of the Putin regime, I think you will not even find any ten differences between them. It is therefore quite obvious that I fully understand what you are in today's difficult situation, when we practically confirm from our side what you are thinking in essence. And it is quite obvious that the suspension of the Treaty between the European Union and Israel is so justified that there is no doubt about it. The other thing is to convince the Member States, the Council and once again to press, but the European Union must stand firm.

29

Apr

2026

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Danger of normalising relations with Russia, including its participation in major cultural and sports events (debate)

Dear President of the meeting, Commissioner. Let us all begin with the very important legacy of Pierre de Coubertin: ‘Oh in sport, you are peace!’ This makes it very clear that both sport and culture are the arena where peace flourishes and where peace calls people, but in no case does the aggressors come there. Putin's aggressive regime has, in fact, sufficiently destroyed all international law. We perfectly see when Russian athletes can participate without the flag of Russia. There are rules when it is possible to invite those people who are not associated with the regime, who have condemned the regime, who defend their civic position and can speak correctly about peace and mission. And applying double standards is a huge problem, and we have to talk about both Israel and those regimes that are also criminal and aggressive.

28

Apr

2026

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Interim report on the proposal for the multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034 (debate)

Mr President, honourable Commissioner, colleagues. We are all fully aware that the budget presented by the European Commission is not sufficient. 1.27 % of the GDP of all countries is the minimum. The minimum that we must defend here in Parliament. Of course, separating debt service, which must not be included in that total budget amount. Obviously, we cannot fail to say that the European Union's obligations must be met. The Polish Commissioner is well aware of the problem of direct payments to farmers. This is solidarity. I would not like to talk about the fact that Draghi, Heitor, Letta and Niinisto – the four authors – offer a great perspective on what we need to do, how we need to integrate our investments in biotechnology, in health. The EU4Health programme shall be separate. Equally, investments must be made in pan-European ecosystems to ensure the direction of science, innovation, investment in health.

27

Apr

2026

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One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Madam President, we have now all seen the very important roadmap on 'One Europe, One Market'. We absolutely need to strengthen the single market and create a resilient, economically secure Europe that is able to respond to new world realities. Increasing our competitiveness is a huge part of it, but we cannot see competitiveness as a narrow sector‑specific issue. We are now working on the Biotech Act, which is part of this competitiveness agenda. But it has to become much more than just a tool to boost European manufacturing. We have to think about the people first: about the patients battling rare diseases, the participants of clinical trials and the people waiting for more affordable generic or biosimilars or personalised treatment. We have to increase the ability of Member States to work in close cooperation together, so that no patient is left behind. We have to enable our agencies, our scientists, our state‑of‑the‑art technology valleys to connect into a wide pan-European ecosystem that would allow them to act. The 28th regime for multi-country clinical trials is vital. We have to work together to ensure this is set in the regulation and to secure the necessary financing. We cannot afford to think small.

27

Apr

2026

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Financial literacy and the rise of finfluencers in the context of the savings and investments union (debate)

Mr President, honourable Commissioner. First of all, I really want to thank Lídía Pereira. Thank you, very timely and very detailed directions. We definitely need to make an effort to have national education programmes at different levels and for different social groups in all 27 countries, so that these are some minimum common standards that can be applied by the competent authorities in all countries to increase financial literacy. We need to pay particular attention once again to the great tragedy that people – older people, young people, young families – face when they are tempted by the terrible pyramids of finance, easy enrichment and effective platforms for influencers. And we must also criminalise the spread of false information and fraud on a European scale.

26

Mar

2026

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Global Gateway – past impacts and future orientation (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner. I believe that everyone will agree that the Global Gateway initiative is a truly enormous example of the implementation of European Union projects. But I would like to point out that it should focus much more on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and in particular on those Sustainable Development Goals such as SDG 3, health, etc., education, local community development. We really have a lot to do to strengthen the Global South in particular: in primary health care, in primary universal education, to strengthen skills development among these people, because job creation without skills, without strong health services will be difficult to understand. Therefore, I propose to draw attention to dimension 3 of the SDG in this Global Gateway project.

26

Mar

2026

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EU-US trade deal (joint debate)

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear Valdis, we all know about what we are just speaking. Of course recent United States behaviour and events have only added carelessness and uncertainty. The threat to invade Greenland, coercion against Spain, the Supreme Court ruling declaring the reciprocal tariffs illegal immediately followed by new tariffs, threats towards European legislation and so on. Of course we all know very well that we now need to have a predictable answer, and the European Parliament proposal, Bernd Langer's report, is an excellent example to protect us and to improve those six 'S's – it means a very important toolkit which should be used by the Commission also. And please keep in mind, Commissioner, we are not all speaking about steel and aluminium – it's about biotech, about medicines, about pharma, about our research and possibilities to invest. This is a very important time now to defend our sovereignty. Not only keeping in mind steel, but research and investment also.

25

Mar

2026

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Implementation of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) and risks to the security of supply of medicines (debate)

Madam president, Madam Commissioner, colleagues, this debate is a political choice. Let us name it clearly: once again, the conservatives have joined forces with the far-right to amplify an industry narrative before we even have independently verified evidence. That is not responsible law-making; that is political theatre on behalf of industry interests. So this debate is about who should pay for the environmental harm: polluters or taxpayers? Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics are responsible for most of the micropollutants that require wastewater treatment. Yes, we must examine carefully any real risk to medicine supply, especially for the generics. I am calling on the Commission to carefully assess those claims and present updated, independent data. After, we can talk about improving the implementation where needed, but the 'polluter pays' principle must remain intact. Clean water is a public good and public money should not be used to clean up private pollution. It is absolutely clear for all of us. That is the situation. Let's see. Let's go into deep analysis and then, after, discuss what should be improved, how can we change and where we have real data. It is not about supply-chain shortages. It's about an absolutely necessary situation to defend people's health. Because 'One Health' requires one approach to people, to the environment, to water, to all of us.

25

Mar

2026

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European Citizens’ Initiative 'Ban on conversion practices in the European Union' (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, of course, we know very well how dangerous it is. Don't call it conversion therapy. It has nothing to do with therapy – nothing. Only in eight of 27 EU Member States have they implemented nationwide bans on conversion practices. But there is significant variation in what the legislation covers. It is very important to know that even where banned, enforcement varies between Member States. A very, very difficult question: why? Because many practices occur in private or religious settings, making tracking very difficult. We need, first of all, to say very clearly: it's about fundamental human rights. The EU can introduce a ban in all European Union space because it is defending fundamental human rights. I am very, very much with those who argue for a ban.