Committee on European Affairs: the European Commission welcomes the progress on the Next Generation Lithuania Plan but expects speedier implementation, of the reform part in particular

Press release, 24 January 2025 (News ● Photos ● Broadcasts and videos)

The Seimas has hosted a visit by Maria Teresa Fabregas Fernandez, Director of the Task Force responsible for the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) at the Secretariat General of the European Commission, and a delegation under her leadership.

The Commission delegation met with the Chair of the Seimas Committee on European Affairs and chairs of other specialised parliamentary committees to discuss the implementation of the Lithuanian Recovery and Resilience Plan Next Generation Lithuania.  

The European Commission considers that Lithuania has entered an intensive phase of implementation of the Plan but expects even speedier implementation of the reform and investment actions. It is equally important for the Parliament to adopt laws on key reforms in the areas of taxation, minimum income protection, long-term care, the electronic road toll system and intercity transport

‘Time is short. Yet we must and can manage the increased risks related to ensuring the funding for the Lithuanian Plan and address the challenges of delivering reforms and investments on time. This is a shared responsibility of the new legislature, the newly formed Government, and all of us, as we are introducing essential changes needed to boost Lithuania’s growth, resilience, and competitiveness,’ said Rasa Budbergytė, Chair of the Committee on European Affairs.

Recently, three payment requests have been submitted to the European Commission in line with the delivery on the Next Generation Lithuania Plan, with 66 out of 218 milestones and targets reported. In total, €1,819 million (47%), including pre-financing, has been disbursed to Lithuania under the RRF. Reforms and investments across a wide range of policy areas are primarily aimed at economic growth, support for digitalisation, green transformation and renewable energy solutions, better education, health and social services, and increased social and institutional resilience, along with the implementation of country-specific recommendations issued by the Council to Lithuania, as well as to all Member States, in the framework of the European Semester.    

The total of €2.3 billion in grants and €1.55 billion in loans have been earmarked for Lithuania to implement the measures of the Next Generation Lithuania Plan. To qualify for financial support, 218 milestones and targets, including 198 for grants and 20 for loans, must be achieved by 31 August 2026. The New Generation Lithuania Plan is unique in that the funding is only disbursed for the milestones and targets fulfilled rather than for project-related costs. 

Aistė Pikiotienė, Adviser, Office of the Committee on European Affairs, tel. +370 5 209 6864