Lithuania should pay 3.16 million euros rather than taking in 158 migrants assigned to the country under the EU’s migration reform, a presidential adviser has said.
“A rise in migration numbers definitely isn’t what Lithuania is aiming for, especially for the current period, therefore the president prefers a financial solution,” Irena Segalovičienė, Gitanas Nausėda’s chief economic and social policy adviser, told the Žinių Radijas radio on Tuesday.
Under the EU Asylum and Migration Pact approved by the European Parliament last week, Lithuania would have to take in around 158 migrants or pay 3.16 million euros annually. These figures were announced by Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė last Wednesday.
According to Segalovičienė, Lithuania is already facing migration challenges after having admitted Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Russian migrants.
“The financial decision would be the most optimal and beneficial for Lithuania,” she said.
Although 158 migrants are not a large number, it would still cost the state to ensure their accommodation, integration, and well-being, the presidential adviser said, adding that by opting to pay instead of accepting migrants, Lithuania would still be contributing to the EU’s migration policy.
“Since there are several options to show solidarity, they are valid,” Segalovičienė stressed.
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