“Some arguments sound strange, those statements that G. Landsbergis did not talk about certain issues, did not raise certain topics. Let’s remember who was the president before the presidential election. I don’t remember him talking much about foreign policy or defense. However, when he was elected president, he is doing that job and we believe that he is doing it in a way that is appropriate and right. I don’t know if that can be called arguments”, I. Šimonytė said to Eltai.
This week, G. Nausėda said to “Žinių radio” that the decision not to appoint conservative leader G. Landsberis as Lithuania’s representative in the European Commission (EC) was not determined by revenge or personal reasons. The head of the country assured that he did not like some of the mannerisms of the minister who was projected to be a European commissioner, as well as the decision to concentrate only on foreign policy.
In turn, the Prime Minister rejects such arguments and says that G. Landsbergis would be able to work on solving various issues.
“It is natural that G. Landsbergis has his area of responsibility, his responsibility is related to foreign policy, to European policy. It is natural that it is most expressed in that area. If he had another area of responsibility, apparently it would be different, because he is really a talented politician with universal education, great erudition, who has read a lot of books in his life and is able to communicate and discuss various topics”, she emphasized.
However, I. Šimonytė says she does not want to comment on the content of the discussions with the president behind closed doors.
“Out of respect, primarily to Mr. Landsberg, but also out of respect for the bilateral discussions between me and the president, I really would not like to comment on the content of those discussions. The decision is made as it is made. I hope that it will be possible to finish the procedures smoothly and achieve that Andrius Kubilius EC will have an important and significant responsibility for Lithuania”, said the Prime Minister.
ELTA reminds that on Monday Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė presented to the coalition council the candidacy of MEP A. Kubilius for the European Commission (EC). According to her, this is the candidate for whom it was possible to find common ground with the president.
Minister of Foreign Affairs G. Landsbergis, who was previously discussed in the media and political corridors as a possible European Commissioner, told Elta last Friday that he had received information that President G. Nausėda would not approve his candidacy.
For his part, G. Nausėda himself testified that the decision not to appoint conservative leader G. Landsberis as Lithuania’s representative in the European Commission was not determined by revenge or personal reasons. The head of the country admitted that he did not like some of the mannerisms of the minister, who was projected to become a European commissioner, and the decision to concentrate only on foreign policy.
The nomination of the Eurocommissioner is submitted by the Government after the position has been agreed with the President and the Seimas.
2024-08-22 02:47:29