Lithuania supports the European Green Deal, but will need additional resources to implement it, Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said on Friday after meeting the country's European Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius.
"The prime minister underlined that Lithuania supports the EC's ambitious Green Deal and hopes for common agreement to be reached in the EU. Proper resources should be allocated for the implementation of the Green Deal," the government's statement reads.
The key provisions of the European Green Deal aim to make the EU a climate-neutral economy by 2050.
The prime minister said Lithuania's agriculture sector is ready to reduce CO2 emissions, but not if direct payments remain discriminatory. According to Skvernelis, the cohesion policy is key if Europe wants to ensure the green transformation.
Read more: Lithuania not ready to 'swallow huge green economy bite' – president
In reference to the Belarus' nuclear plant, the PM said he hopes the EU will ensure the highest environmental and safety standards for nuclear energy projects in neighbouring countries, and the EU must be protected from "unclean energy" imports.
According to the government, the European Commission supports the additional car registration tax to be introduced in Lithuania next year.
Read more: Lithuanian parliament passes tax on polluting cars
Lithuania's European Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius called on Lithuania to implement the National Energy and Climate plan, as it will become an instrument towards adopting the European Green Deal, according to the government.
Lithuania's EU priorities remain focused on protecting the external borders, deepening the internal market, and implementing a fair budget distribution and infrastructure projects, according to Skvernelis.
The prime minister also pointed out that Lithuania's 2020 budget was endorsed with EU recommendations taken into account.
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