Press release, 14 December 2012
Lithuania is among 9 European Union (EU) Member States where the European Commission (EC) does not see any risk in the current economic situation. This information is based on the 2013 Annual Growth Survey published by the European Commission on 28 November 2012 and presented by Algirdas Šemeta, Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-fraud, at a joint meeting of the Seimas Committee on European Affairs and Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Šemeta said that one of the best growth scenarios in the EU in 2013 (3.1 %) is projected for the Lithuanian economy. Across the EU, the overall economic growth should amount to 0.4 %. However, Šemeta stressed that even though the tension has subsided in the European and national markets, the EU still has not overcome the crisis and some signs of risk are still present. Therefore, there is no reason to relax either at the national or the European level.
The Commissioner added that every measure will be taken to preserve the euro area and that it is waiting for Lithuania’s entry. Šemeta said he had put every effort to ensure increased funding for the decommissioning of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant to no avail, because the European Commission was unable to provide a larger EU budget than the one of the previous period.
Šemeta urged the national Parliaments to deliberate on the third European semester of economic policy coordination aimed at ensuring better coordination of economic policies and budget plans of the Member States with the Stability and Growth Pact and the Europe 2020 strategy. He emphasized that the influence of national Parliaments in dealing with the European issues is constantly increasing and expressed the hope that the Seimas and the parliamentary Committee on European Affairs would play a significant role in this respect during Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The Commissioner outlined five EU priorities for the coming year: pursuing differentiated, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation; restoring normal lending to the economy; promoting growth and competitiveness; tackling unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis; and modernising public administration. Economic growth and unemployment reduction priorities are currently of particular interest to Lithuania.
During his meeting with Members of the Seimas, Šemeta focused on the areas of his competence. Apart from other EU tax policy priorities, he mentioned shifting the tax burden from the labour force to ensure more economy-friendly taxes in all the EU Member States. In his opinion, this may help solve the current European problem of unemployment. Among other things, the European Commissioner emphasized the need to broaden the tax base and review the tax incentives instead of increasing them.
Šemeta talked about the Action Plan to Fight Tax Fraud and Tax Evasion, an initiative announced on 6 December 2012 by the European Commission, aimed at improving tax administration and promoting the withdrawal of business from shadow. The fight against smuggling at the EU level and fraud by using the EU funds were also discussed. The Commissioner believes that Lithuania should take the initiative in this area during its Presidency of the Council.
Šemeta stressed the need for a financial transaction tax and commended Lithuania on being the 12th EU Member State to introduce the tax, which will contribute to a safer regulatory system of financial services. He also spoke about the plans to establish the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in order to ensure the protection of EU’s financial interests.
Morta Vidūnaitė, Advisor to Gediminas Kirkilas, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas,
tel: +370 5 2396763, e-mai: [email protected]
