Lithuania has yet to fully implement any EU Council recommendation

Lithuania has not fully implemented any of the EU Council’s recommendations for 2026 to 2027, although progress has been made on all of them, LRT reported. Representatives of six ministries presented planned measures and their progress to the Seimas Committee on European Affairs.

The recommendations cover public finances, defence funding, business investment, workers’ skills, social protection and energy security. Nine ministries are responsible for implementing 80 measures.

Deputy Economy and Innovation Minister Goda Burokienė said significant progress had been made on 9% of the recommendations, partial progress on 41% and limited progress on 50%. None was assessed as having seen no progress, she said.

Measures across six ministries

The Ministry of Economy and Innovation is working to improve small and medium-sized businesses’ access to finance, encourage private investment in research and innovation, and strengthen cooperation between science and business. Planned measures include loans, guarantees and venture capital, helping companies raise funds on capital markets, and supporting sustainable industrial transformation and the development of green parks.

The Finance Ministry is preparing the 2027 to 2029 state budget, seeking to improve tax collection and reduce the administrative burden on taxpayers. It also plans to raise excise duties on alcohol, tobacco products and their alternatives from 2027.

Deputy Finance Minister Kęstutis Kvaraciejus said Lithuania had submitted its final payment request to the European Commission under the New Generation Lithuania plan and had reported on all the plan’s targets. The country is awaiting the Commission’s assessment. The ministry is also preparing capital market development guidelines for 2026 to 2028 to improve companies’ access to funding.

Health Minister Linas Kukuraitis outlined measures to improve access to healthcare, reduce waiting times and strengthen crisis preparedness. Health centres are being developed, while solutions are being sought for patient transport services and the management of the e-health system. Kukuraitis said updating the system would take several years, meaning the current system would continue to be used in the meantime.

Deputy Social Security and Labour Minister Aušra Putk presented measures to reduce poverty and income inequality and expand access to social services and housing. If approved by the Seimas, the average old-age pension for people with the required contribution record could rise by about 10.9% in 2027, while the minimum monthly wage would reach 1,245 euros before tax.

The ministry also plans to provide free meals to all third-grade pupils from September 2027, regardless of their families’ income. The scheme would be extended to fourth-graders from September 2028.

Deputy Education, Science and Sport Minister Jonas Petkevičius said the ministry was focusing on cooperation between science and business, addressing teacher shortages and improving teachers’ safety. State budget funding for research and development rose from 0.39% of gross domestic product in 2023 to 0.55% in 2026. The goal is to reach 1% by 2030.

Planned measures include a teacher recruitment programme and the Teachers’ Line, which provides educators with psychological and legal support. Amendments to the Education Law are also being prepared to strengthen teachers’ safety.

Deputy Energy Minister Karolina Štelmokaitė said Lithuania had made progress in renewable energy and energy security. The country imported 67% of its consumed electricity in 2022, compared with about 19% in 2026.