What Vilija spoke about.

—

Written Statements LT

State of the Union (continuation of debate)

Mr President, President of the Commission, colleagues, as you mentioned in your speech, today not only Europe but the whole world is still fighting the consequences of the pandemic and this fight is not over. This pandemic has completely changed our lives, and it is a pity, but for the majority it is only for the worse. The pandemic has highlighted structural problems in the EU and the Member States, especially in the social field. The pandemic hit those with lower incomes, simpler and unstable jobs hardest and hardest. These people were left without income and without any guarantees for the future. There are also workers in the healthcare sector who have saved lives and who are unfortunately among the lowest earners. Yes, we must now concentrate and effectively revitalise the economies of the Member States, but this recovery cannot come at the expense of the people. We must ensure that this is a socially oriented and sustainable recovery in which people are at the centre, guaranteeing decent wages that allow them to live in dignity and take care of their families. We must pull children out of the cycle of poverty and social exclusion. This pandemic has exacerbated child poverty and exclusion, and distance education during lockdowns has not ensured access to continuous education for children living in poverty. So there is a lot of work ahead of us, and I very much hope for understanding and, above all, action from the Commission.

20

May

2026

Speeches LT

Watch

Advancing towards a care society: addressing the gender care gap (debate)

Whatever I say, you have your truth all the time. What you do sometimes happens.

20

May

2026

Answers LT

Watch

Advancing towards a care society: addressing the gender care gap (debate)

First of all, I want to say that we Social Democrats - for equal opportunities, for equal rights for all people, both men and women, and in all areas. And in the same way, when we talk about care today, why do only women have to take that responsibility 99%, and you cannot personally take care of your old parents, disabled people or your children? Why? That is why we, the Social Democrats, say once again that this must be an investment in those people who work in the care sector, that women must be able to work in the same way, and not to sacrifice their lives for care all the time. That's normal.

20

May

2026

Speeches LT

Watch

Advancing towards a care society: addressing the gender care gap (debate)

Mr President, Mr Vice-President of the Commission. When we talk about progress towards a care society, we must acknowledge one truth that is really simple but very fundamental: in Europe today, the burden of care is still disproportionately on women's shoulders. Women are more likely to work part-time, interrupt their careers, face lower incomes and face the risk of poverty in old age precisely because they compensate for the lack of public care services. Reducing the gender care gap is therefore not just a matter of equality. This is a matter of social justice, economic security and European competitiveness. If we want real change, declarations are not enough. Investments and binding commitments are needed. Firstly, we must ensure ambitious and stable funding for the European Child Guarantee. The Social Democrats are clearly calling for a budget of at least EUR 20 billion so that no child in Europe is left without access to quality childcare, education, health and decent living conditions. Secondly, Europe needs a true Care Deal, the European Care Deal. And it must not be based on good intentions, but on clear commitments to the Member States. We need affordable and quality childcare; strengthening long-term care systems; decent working conditions and wages for workers in the care sector; safe jobs, social security and upskilling opportunities in the care sector; increased support for young carers, who often take responsibility for caring for family members at an early stage and therefore face difficulties in education, work and simply social life. We cannot talk about quality care if the care workers themselves are faced with burnout, low wages, staff shortages and precarious working conditions.

20

May

2026

Speeches LT

Watch

Recent proposals to fight poverty in the EU (debate)

Mr President, honourable Commissioner. Europe cannot call itself a social union as long as 19 million of our children are in poverty, and more than 16 million working people still live in poverty because they do not receive adequate wages. It is especially painful for children to inherit poverty. Thank you to the Commission for presenting the Anti-Poverty Strategy, but we must be more ambitious. The fight against poverty cannot be limited to statistics or good intentions, but must become a reality and a social investment in people. No child in Europe should go to bed hungry or have access to quality education, housing or healthcare. It is therefore necessary to strengthen the European Child Guarantee with at least EUR 20 billion. And yet, we must also admit the seemingly simple truth: After all, work has to protect people from poverty. This requires fair, adequate wages, collective agreements, stronger workers' rights and social protection. This is the only way to overcome poverty.

20

May

2026

Speeches LT

Watch

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

Mr President, colleagues. The single market is one of the European Union's greatest achievements, but it must not be limited to capital or goods. It must work for the people who are the backbone of a competitive Europe. Yes, European companies must have clarity, stability, predictability. Equally, however, workers must have safe, high-quality and dignified working conditions with adequate wages. While President von der Leyen sounds good about her political commitment that Europe has to work for people, today around 90 million European citizens are living in poverty, of whom as many as 16 million are still living at risk of poverty. Strengthening the single market must therefore go hand in hand with a strong social Europe, fair wages, protection of workers, quality jobs and the fight against poverty.

29

Apr

2026

Speeches LT

Watch

EU strategy in response to the ongoing Middle East crisis, its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilizers (joint debate)

Mr President, in the context of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, today we must clearly state its consequences here in Europe, and this is growing poverty, growing social inequalities and tensions in society. The renewed rapid rise in energy, fuel, transport and food prices is hitting not only already vulnerable people and low-income families hardest, but also middle-income people. More and more people are being forced to choose between basic needs and this is not the Europe we are striving for. I therefore call on the Commission to take urgent measures to mitigate the consequences of this crisis by including concrete proposals in the future poverty strategy and the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan. There is an urgent need to reinstate the SURE instrument, put forward proposals for targeted income support and reduce energy prices through already existing mechanisms. Support must reach those who need it most. This crisis will once again test the social and economic resilience of the EU, which is why the European Union must act immediately.

11

Mar

2026

Speeches LT

Watch

AccessibleEU and the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities: state of play and the future of EU accessibility policy (debate)

11

Feb

2026

Speeches LT

Watch

Addressing subcontracting chains and the role of intermediaries in order to protect workers’ rights (debate)

President, Dear Vice-President of the Commission, colleagues. Subcontracting chains and intermediaries must not become a means of circumventing workers' rights and exploiting workers. Today, however, too often we see the opposite picture: lower wages, precarious working conditions and the exploitation of workers. This is a matter of social justice. When responsibility is spread over too long subcontracting chains, workers are left without real protection, while responsible employers face unfair competition. This report makes it clear: The European Union must ensure that workers’ rights apply to everyone, regardless of the number of intermediaries between the worker and the ultimate employer. Joint responsibility throughout the subcontracting chain, more transparency and effective control are needed. And we must achieve this by creating a legal framework at EU level.

11

Feb

2026

Speeches LT

Watch

Developing a new EU anti-poverty strategy (debate)

Mr President, Mr Vice-President of the Commission, colleagues. More than 90 million people, including 20 million children, are at risk of poverty and social exclusion in Europe. And these are not statistics. This is a sign of political failure. If we want a true social Europe, we need an ambitious and coordinated EU poverty strategy. Strategies to guarantee a decent minimum income, combat in-work poverty and ensure access to housing, healthcare, education and social services. It is particularly important to end the intergenerational transmission of poverty. The European Child Guarantee must therefore not be a symbolic commitment, but a genuinely funded instrument. And there is certainly a need to allocate EUR 20 billion to the implementation of the Child Guarantee. I therefore call on the Commission, the Member States to invest in people and to ensure that economic growth is fairly distributed.

10

Feb

2026

Speeches LT

Watch

European response to the attacks on the Ukrainian energy system causing a humanitarian crisis (debate)

17

Dec

2025

Speeches LT

Watch

The urgent need to combat discrimination in the EU through the horizontal anti-discrimination directive (topical debate)

President, Commissioner, colleagues. For more than 15 years, the EU non-discrimination directive has been stuck in the Council. This means that millions of Europeans still do not enjoy the same level of protection against discrimination in their daily lives, whether in education, health care, housing or access to a wide range of services. We Socialists and Democrats have consistently supported this directive, because equality and dignity are not the subject of negotiations. However, as long as unanimity is required in the Council, progress remains a hostage to political fears. Arguments about administrative or financial burdens often hide the reluctance to acknowledge that discrimination is still deeply rooted in our societies. A social and strong Europe cannot be built on double standards. We cannot defend human rights beyond our borders when we fail to enforce them internally. This Directive does not offer privileges, but ensures equal protection for all. It is therefore time to show the Council political courage and make European values a reality.

16

Dec

2025

Speeches LT

Watch

Continuous Belarusian hybrid attacks against Lithuania (debate)

President, Commissioner, colleagues. My homeland, Lithuania, has been subject to continuous hybrid attacks from the Belarusian regime for years, ranging from instrumentalised migration and disinformation to cyber threats and pressure on our borders, airspace and aviation security. This is no longer a bilateral issue. This is a targeted, politically motivated aggression against the European Union as a whole. That is why yesterday's Council decision to include hybrid attacks in the EU sanctions regime is crucial. However, we cannot relax, we must apply sanctions that have an impact, while at the same time increasing deterrence against the hostile Lukashenka regime. This is a clear message that Europe will not be passive and that such activities will have real consequences. Acting in solidarity, we must strengthen the resilience of the EU as a whole, protect our democracies and support the most affected Member States. In defending Lithuania, we are also defending the European Union as a whole.

26

Nov

2025

Speeches LT

Watch

EU strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities post-2024 (debate)

26

Nov

2025

Questions LT

Watch

EU response to the continuous airspace violations and sabotage of critical infrastructure in the EU originating from Russia and Belarus (debate)

12

Nov

2025

Speeches LT

Watch

Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the islamist attacks of 13 November 2015 in Paris (debate)

Lately, Lithuania is facing a new threat when illegal and smuggled balloons released from Belarus violate Lithuanian airspace, disrupt civil aviation and pose serious threats to the safety of the population. These intrusions represent a significant escalation in hybrid warfare tactics. This is part of a broader pattern of destabilising actions by Belarus and Russia and represents a growing threat to the security of the European Union as a whole. Therefore, on behalf of the Group of Socialists and Democrats, we ask that the issue of Belarus' hybrid actions against Lithuania be put on the agenda of the next plenary session, because this is important not only for Lithuania, but also for Europe as a whole.

19

Jun

2025

Speeches LT

Watch

Institutional and political implications of the EU enlargement process and global challenges (debate)

President, Commissioner, colleagues. The accession of my country, Lithuania, to the European Union twenty-one years ago saved the country from the fate of Ukraine. We have become stronger, both economically and politically, and more resilient to external threats. The same is expected of Ukraine, Moldova and the Balkan countries. Enlargement is also necessary for the European Union. The European Union must therefore be prepared for enlargement, as must those countries which are seeking membership. However, enlargement will certainly not be possible without treaty changes, without comprehensive institutional reforms. We see that it is already difficult to take decisions quickly in the Council. Some decisions are delayed, some countries exercise their right of veto solely for their own narrow interests, and this certainly does not contribute to the European Union's ability to respond and adapt to change in a timely and effective manner. To remain significant on the political map, we must change ourselves, change our institutions and ensure swift and effective decision-making.

18

Jun

2025

Speeches LT

Watch

Upcoming NATO summit on 24-26 June 2025 (debate)

Mr President, High Representative. The war is taking place in Ukraine, but we, the countries of the European Union, are also feeling Russian aggression. The Baltic Sea has become a field of constant Russian warfare. Therefore, in these difficult times, we need more than ever a solidarity-based, strong and credible NATO alliance, with sufficient resources, a force to face any threat. And I very much hope that NATO leaders will agree on the issues of principle during the meeting. First, it is an increase in defence funding to 5%. Secondly, there will be a commitment to defend and strengthen the eastern flank of Europe, which remains the most vulnerable place in Europe so far. And thirdly, to agree on the uninterrupted provision of all kinds of assistance to Ukraine. My country Lithuania, aware of the real threats from Russia, will exceed the five percent threshold for security and defence already next year.

7

May

2025

Speeches LT

Watch

EU support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine (debate)

President, colleagues. Peace in Ukraine is the goal of all of us, but it must be a just, lasting and viable peace that will enable Ukraine to choose its own way further, its own security measures and deter future Russian aggression. The peace talks initiated by the US, in which the EU was initially ignored, are only favourable to Putin, who is not interested in a lasting peace in Ukraine and who is obviously delaying the process by testing our unity as the West. Russia did not abide by the ceasefire agreement, so it can hardly be expected to abide by the agreements in the future. We, Europe, must defend the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the inviolability of its borders and not allow Ukraine to be divided. We must mobilise the NATO bloc in Europe to ensure an increase in the flow of support to Ukraine so that it can defend itself until a peace agreement in Ukraine's interest is reached. We must deliver on our promises and speed up Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

12

Mar

2025

Speeches LT

Watch

Union of Skills: striving for more and better opportunities to study, train or work in the EU and to bring our talents back home (debate)

Mr President, a competitive Europe is based on skilled workers and skills that meet the needs of the market. But let's look at the reality in the eyes, what is the real situation in the European Union? What are the basic skills of young people, including digital literacy? They are certainly insufficient and in some areas the situation is even worse than it was a decade ago. Fewer and fewer young people graduate in mathematics, science or information technology. I therefore call on the Commission to work with the Member States to adapt their education systems to new market developments and to include the skills agenda in the European Semester. There is an urgent need to ensure the cross-border recognition of skills and qualifications, to ensure that young people make greater use of traineeships that must be paid. Long-term learning and retraining should be encouraged.

11

Mar

2025

Speeches LT

Watch

Roadmap for Women`s Rights (debate)

President-in-Office, Commissioner, colleagues, there has indeed been progress in gender equality over the last decade, but that path and that work has certainly not yet been fully achieved. And our citizens have made it very clear that the main problems remain violence against women, the insurmountable pay gap between women and men for the same work, and the reconciliation and safeguarding of work and private life. Finally, women's reproductive rights. The roadmap presented by the Commission reaffirms the commitment of the European Union, our community, to improving women's rights. However, first of all, Commissioner, I call for a thorough assessment of whether the legislation that has already been adopted actually works and is being implemented in the Member States. Probably not, so we need an effective and binding post-2025 strategy.

12

Feb

2025

Speeches LT

Watch

Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (debate)

Mr President, since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, countries bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine have been exposed to attacks by the Russian regime, which continue to this day. I am from Lithuania, and we suffered a direct attack from Belarus, when migrants were used as a political weapon to destabilise our society and cause panic. Hybrid attacks on the bottom of the Baltic Sea are still ongoing, with the aim of destroying our energy and communications infrastructure. We know how powerful the spread of Russian disinformation and attempts to infiltrate our society and spread a narrative useful to Russia, fuelling hostile sentiments and seeking to divide society. Therefore, the security and stability of the EU’s eastern regions and the strengthening of economic resilience go hand in hand with the security of the European Union as a whole. And this must be given special attention and the necessary funding so that these frontline regions are strengthened and the people living in them feel safe.

11

Feb

2025

Speeches LT

Watch

Boosting vocational education and training in times of labour market transitions (debate)

Madam President, strengthening the competitiveness of the European Union goes hand in hand with sustainable social employment and education policies. Workers with skills that match the needs of the labour market and high-quality, well-paid jobs are the backbone of a strong and competitive economy. Labour market needs in the digital and green transition economy are changing fast, and we must preserve all opportunities for vocational training so that workers can first re-skill, acquire new skills to match the needs of the labour market and finally feel safe. Employers play a crucial role in the professional training and qualification of workers, but there is often a preference for hiring new workers and a reluctance to invest in training, and there is a general attempt to shift the responsibility for training to the workers themselves. I therefore strongly urge the Commission to take concrete initiatives and present a directive on workers' right to training in order to guarantee all workers the right to paid work-related training and education.

22

Jan

2025

Speeches LT

Watch

Addressing EU demographic challenges: towards the implementation of the 2023 Demography Toolbox (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, what is really needed to answer the questions raised by our people, how to increase the birth rate, how to deal with ageing, how to ensure that there is no shortage of workers? The answers seem to be very simple: stable and decent work, fair and sufficient wages to support the family, accessible and quality housing and accessible childcare and health services. Unfortunately, this is not yet available to all Europeans. This means that we are not sufficiently aware and concretely addressing demographic challenges, both in the European Union and in the Member States. Let's see, despite the obvious trend towards an ageing population, there is a critical shortage of care and long-term care services in countries. Despite the extremely low birth rate, there are no affordable and high-quality childcare, health and education services. Finally, let's see, there is a shortage of workers, but about eight million young people in the European Union are neither in education nor in employment. This means that the Youth Guarantee does not work. Twenty million of our children live in poverty. We do not invest enough in the child guarantee. So we need to work together.

22

Jan

2025

Speeches LT

Watch

Uniting Europe against actors hostile to the EU: time to strengthen our security and defence (topical debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, investment in security and defence, in significant capacity building for the defence industry, and investment in our European Union as a whole, in our people. There is therefore an urgent need to increase investment in defence and in our military capabilities, both by the Member States and by the European Union as a whole. And here we must be more united than ever. The threat of Russian aggression is huge. I come from Lithuania, from a front-line state, and therefore the ongoing war in Ukraine and global geopolitical instability in no way allow us to delay and wait, for example, for a new financial perspective, so that we can significantly increase our defence financing capabilities. We must look for initiatives and flexible ways of funding. We must have European funds for the development of the defence industry, mobilise funding from the European Investment Bank, review the fiscal rules that allow Member States to allocate more funding for defence without respecting the three percent of GDP budget deficit, which is required by the current reality.