Lithuanian MEP Virginijus Sinkevicius: 'A father, a husband, and a hard-working man are the words that best describe me'

  • 2025-01-17
  • Linas Jegelevicius

Born in independent Lithuania, Virginijus Sinkevicius, the 34-year-old Lithuanian Member of the European Parliament, representing the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, exemplifies the immense opportunities a free Lithuania has offered its citizens. In 2017, he became Lithuania's youngest-ever Minister of Economy. Two years later, at 29, he was appointed by the Lithuanian government as European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries – once again setting a record as the youngest to hold this role. When asked to describe himself in three words, V. Sinkevicius, who is Vice-Chair of the EP Committee on Transport and Tourism and substitute on the EP Committees on Economic and Monetary Affairs, gave The Baltic Times Magazine a humbly simple response: “A father, a husband, and a hard-working man.”

What sets the Group you represent in the European Parliament apart from the other political groups?

Well, first and foremost, our Group is undeniably all pro-human rights, not going into any compromises like some others. The other key thing characteristic of it is ensuring the green transition by which I mean the implementation of the European Green Deal (approved in 2020, is a set of policy initiatives by the European Commission with the overarching aim of making the European Union (EU) climate neutral in 2050 – TBT). As part of the objective, the Group is very supportive of renewable energy, emphasizing constantly the necessity to cut the dependence of the European economy on fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy. Certainly, the Group is very vocal against any authoritarian regimes and dictatorships, particularly about the situation of human rights.

How has your five-year tenure as the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries enhanced your understanding of EU legislation compared to that of your fellow MEPs?

It has! I see it as a significant benefit and, often, an advantage. As the EC Commissioner, I gained first-hand insight into all aspects of the decision-making process. Before my Commissioner stint, I was an Economy minister of Lithuania –  I knew before taking the job how the European Council and the European Parliament, as well as the apparatus of the European Commission work. So, in a nutshell, having a good grasp of how these three European institutions operate has given me a unique perspective, which I now use as a Member of the European Parliament. Although my current duties serve all European interests, I am not forgetting where I came from – I want Lithuania’s voice to be heard here.

Yet is there anything that, in a way, surprised you in the European Parliament?

(Grins) Frankly speaking, I do not think there was anything of the kind. As the EC Commissioner, I have been, and even spoken, in the European Parliament on various occasions, so, understandably, I am familiar with it well. However, considering that the European Commission consists of 27 Commissioners and the European Parliament – of 720 members, some of whom look for creative ways to stand out (grins), the work in the latter will certainly not bore me (grins).

Recently, in response to the gloomy news about the performance of Germany’s auto manufacturers, you contributed to the debate on the crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry and the potential for plant closures, emphasizing the need to enhance competitiveness and preserve jobs in Europe. Does this signal a faltering European economy?

Well, I believe there isn’t a single issue that can be singled out – in the German or the European automotive industry, too, and say: “That’s the main issue the sector faces!” 

Among the reasons behind the slowdown in the sector and, consequently, in the economy is the energy crisis – the war in Ukraine has significantly disrupted energy supplies, leading to higher energy prices and supply shortages. Supply chain disruptions that were caused by global supply chain bottlenecks, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, also need to be considered. 

Global economic uncertainty, including the slowdown in China, a key trading partner, which has weakened demand for German exports, has also played a role in the slowdown of Germany’s automotive industry.

The German auto manufacturing challenges also arise largely from adapting to the transition from the traditional combustion engine to the electric battery-charged engine. 

The shift towards more sustainable and innovative technologies is costly and requires significant restructuring.

Unlike the United States, the European Union has not yet created strong international software companies, alleviating the transition and diversifying its economy. 

Certainly, the factors of Germany’s aging population, labor shortages, and skill gaps need to be considered, too. As a result, we see declining consumer confidence, fuelled partly by higher inflation and higher costs of living. So, long story short, it is a combination of factors.

After the much-talked-about report on EU competitiveness by Mario Draghi, former President of the European Central Bank, the topic of competitiveness is the EU’s issue No1 now, isn’t it? Is there anything else to blame for its falling besides the factors you just mentioned?

Of course, as in the case of the signals in the automotive industry, you can blame the energy crisis and the transition to green energy. Indeed, Europe has long been on the needle of cheap gas, especially Germany, but the green transition is irreversible. As I said, unlike the US with its Google, Amazon, Facebook, and other global companies in play, here in Europe, we are too much – still too much – relying on heavy industries, i.e. manufacturing, which is very sensitive to energy price fluctuations. 

I have no doubt that Russia invaded Ukraine to exploit Europe's reliance on relatively cheap Russian gas imports and the impact that cutting these supplies could have on European economies.

We have to admit that, with the huge potential the EU has, as a single bloc we have many excessive regulations and barriers, which slow us down – none of the member states can individually compete against, say, China, the United States, or even, to be honest, against emerging India. 

Draghi’s report addresses not only access to capital but also the importance of ensuring the proper functioning of the single EU market.

How can competitiveness and the Green Deal be aligned? Most importantly, how long will it take for industries to reap the benefits of the green transition? Or are the two inherently incompatible?

The Green Deal is our competitiveness and resilience policy. We cannot depend on energy supplies from third countries with authoritarian regimes. And let’s face it: if we continue relying on Russia’s cheap gas, it is a question of time before the Russians whose war chest we are filling with money for the cheap gas, will come and challenge us. First, the Baltic countries, then perhaps Scandinavian countries – no one knows where Russia would stop. So strategically, that is just suicidal for us. Therefore, the Green Deal represents security, albeit at higher energy costs for the time being.

The International Monetary Fund predicts GDP growth of just 1.2 percent for eurozone countries in 2025, with the German economy stagnating and expected to grow by only 0.8 percent. In contrast, growth in the BRICS countries is three times higher, with India at 6.5 percent, China at 4.5 percent, and even Russia at 1.3 percent. What do you make of this? 

You cannot look solely at the growth numbers in the countries mentioned, as the base from which they grow is different. Except for China, the others are still emerging economies. In contrast, the European countries have reached their growth limitations, or are about to reach them, hence the low growth numbers. But going back to the Draghi report, indeed, we clearly have issues here in Europe we need to address without delay.

As the Vice-Chair of the EP Committee on Transport and Tourism, how do you view the delay in Rail Baltica, the Baltics' flagship rail project? 

The EU commissioner-designate for sustainable transport and tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas of Greece, was asked this several times in hearings in the European Parliament recently. Many reasons are behind the postponement, but what the EU can do in the situation is to ensure that the funding for the project is available.

I will propose that the European Parliament do parliamentary control on the project through public hearings on the execution of the project, looking deeply into what went wrong, what could be improved, and how the member states could cooperate more efficiently to avoid a situation like this.

As someone born in an independent Lithuania, what makes you most proud of the country's achievements over nearly 34 years of freedom?

Indeed, we have achieved so much that, at times, we tend to overlook these accomplishments and take them for granted! Our GDP and living standards have undeniably grown big time despite the challenges that came along.

Our society has changed, accepting European values and being the North Star for other nations on the path of independence. We are a democracy that works and delivers for its people. What we’ve done is a big success story I am very proud of! 

I am grateful for what life has already given me, and of course, for the trust of the people – whether as a member of the Union of Democrats 'For Lithuania' (a center-left Lithuanian political party, founded in 2022 by Saulius Skvernelis, is part of the new 2024-2028  Lithuanian ruling coalition, following the general elections in October  – TBT) or as the Commissioner and the euro parliamentarian now. 

Since we are speaking in the aftermath of the U.S. presidential election, what are your expectations for Donald Trump’s second term? Do you feel the Lithuanian political elite leaned more toward supporting his Democratic opponent?

I think that we should not be concerned about Donald Trump’s second term, as his first term in the White House has shown that his rhetoric can be quite different from his real actions. Said that I am convinced his focus will be on America’s domestic issues, especially the economy. The economic rhetoric and actions will be particularly aggressive – I mean tariffs, trade agreements, relocating the manufacturing back to the United States, et cetera.

With regards to Ukraine, Trump has little spoken about it during his campaign and his messages may sound mixed to some, however, I have no doubt, that he understands very well that compromising Ukraine’s security situation will just bolster and embolden Russia, which is not in the interests of the United States.

What do you envision Lithuania will look like 30 years from now?

Given the tense times we are in, the most important thing is to avoid military conflicts and wars on our soil. The war in Ukraine reverberates across the land, affecting not only the region but also the global political and economic landscape, in Lithuania, too. 

The rest is in our hands, as Lithuanians are hard-working and creative, qualities that will enable us to build an even richer country, from which all people will benefit while making it stronger.

What are the three words that describe you best?

A father, a husband, and a hard-working person.