Sinkevičius says Budrys should prioritise parliament

Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys should make parliament a priority after lawmakers questioned the minister’s absence from a parliamentary session, LRT reported.

Budrys did not attend Thursday’s weekly government question hour in parliament because he was on a visit, which was announced during the session. Conservative Žygimantas Pavilionis said the minister had also failed to find time to meet MPs and answer their many questions.

Pavilionis pointed to what he described as inconsistencies in Budrys’ positions. He said the minister criticises China in Washington but, after returning to Lithuania, announced the closure of the Taiwanese Representative Office. He also questioned Lithuania’s approach to sanctions against Belarus while awaiting the arrival of envoy Coale, who wants to thaw relations.

“When you pedal a bicycle in all directions, do you think it moves?” Pavilionis asked Sinkevičius.

The prime minister said it was important for Budrys to speak with the public and present Lithuania’s foreign policy. However, he added that the minister could reconsider his priorities, saying parliament, particularly the government question hour, should come first.