Prime minister rejects claims of government party in Klaipėda

Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius has rejected opposition accusations that the government travelled to Klaipėda, a port city, for a “cementovka” rather than work, LRT reported on Wednesday.

“We came here to work. We have come to the regions, and this is the first visit and government meeting of the entire government here,” Sinkevičius told reporters in Klaipėda. He said the trip was not a sightseeing or leisure excursion, noting that ministers had met with the university, business representatives and regional mayors.

“If work is having fun, then we had fun,” the prime minister said.

Finance Minister Taurimas Valys also rejected the criticism, saying: “There are no cementovkas here. We are working seriously.” Transport Minister Juras Taminskas said the ministers had travelled to the region for work and did not need to go away simply to get to know one another.

Opposition Conservative MP Jurgis Razma said on Facebook that the government chancellery could not explain the importance of the visit, which involved the prime minister and cabinet ministers.

“Once again, a cementovka is being organised with taxpayers’ money,” Razma said, citing Conservative leader Laurynas Kasčiūnas. He said the trip could be justified if the prime minister and ministers were addressing issues important to the region, but argued that the cabinet meeting’s agenda consisted of routine matters unrelated to the Klaipėda region.

According to the 15min news portal, accommodation for the prime minister and five accompanying delegation members is expected to cost the government chancellery 730 euros, while per diems will total 280 euros. The 11 ministers’ accommodation and per diem costs will be covered by their respective ministries.

Up to 3,000 euros has been allocated for food during the visit and up to 2,000 euros for transport. The final costs will be known after the trip.

Kasčiūnas told 15min that the cabinet members were trying to combine business meetings with pleasure and urged the government to distinguish between the two.

Liberal opposition representative Eugenijus Gentvilas said such visits showed attention to the regions, but questioned whether two days were necessary.

The government travelled to Klaipėda on Tuesday to examine the coastal region’s concerns, learn more about problems in the Klaipėda region and hear from representatives of local government, business and academia. The delegation met regional mayors at the city administration, reviewed the Klaipėda port and met with business representatives.

A cabinet meeting was scheduled for the second day of the visit, with ministers expected to approve the government’s programme implementation plan.