Sinkevičius says EU budget proposal falls short for Lithuania
Thursday 29th October 2026 on 15:15 in
Lithuania
Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius says the European Union’s proposed 2028 to 2034 budget does not meet Lithuania’s expectations and is not yet a sufficient basis for an agreement, LRT reported.
After meeting European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, who is responsible for cohesion and reforms, Sinkevičius said Lithuania wants a larger overall EU budget, more attention to security along the bloc’s eastern border and sufficient funding for strategic infrastructure projects.
He welcomed Ireland’s efforts in the negotiations but said he hoped an agreement could still be reached in the nearly two months remaining in its presidency of the Council of the EU.
Sinkevičius said Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland need greater solidarity from other EU countries to strengthen regional defence and security. He cited the war in Ukraine as a source of security challenges for countries on the bloc’s eastern border.
Lithuania also wants a larger overall budget, though Sinkevičius acknowledged that member states disagree over its size. Some want more funding, while others are reluctant to increase their contributions. He cited Germany, which he called a strategic partner, as asking how a larger budget would be financed.
Lithuania seeks 10 billion euros for Rail Baltica
Sinkevičius said Lithuania and the other Baltic states are seeking 10 billion euros for the Rail Baltica European-gauge railway project in the 2028 to 2034 budget period. He said Lithuania was concerned by proposals to reduce funding for the Connecting Europe Facility, the EU programme that also funds Rail Baltica. Its total funding across Europe exceeds 50 billion euros, he said.
The prime minister said he hoped EU leaders would reach a budget agreement before Ireland’s presidency ends. Lithuania would then take on further negotiations, including talks with the European Parliament, he said.
Fitto said the European Commission aims to simplify the EU budget and make cohesion policy more flexible.