On October 29, the newly appointed President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Séamus Boland, visited Lithuania. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he met with representatives of trade unions, business organizations, and civil society. This was the President’s first official visit to an EU Member State since the start of his mandate on October 23.
For his first official visits, the new EESC President chose the Baltic States to express solidarity and the European Union’s support for civil society in the current geopolitical context.
During the roundtable discussion, participants exchanged views on the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine on Lithuania’s economy and society, with particular attention to the challenges faced by social partners and NGOs, as well as to Lithuania’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2027.
“Solidarity with the Baltic States and Ukraine in the current geopolitical climate is a cornerstone. However, the ability to defend our territories and interests against external threats must go hand in hand with empowering citizens and ensuring their participation in decision-making. Civil society and democratic values — such as equal opportunities, the protection of human rights, and inclusion — must form the backbone of Europe. If governments fail to engage civil society and ignore its needs, we may, unfortunately, find ourselves with nothing to defend,”
noted Mr. Boland.
He emphasized that Lithuania has the potential to become a role model during its EU Council Presidency, demonstrating how a small country can unite and serve as a visible example of commitment to democratic values.
Representatives of trade unions and civil society organizations discussed issues such as fairer income distribution, progressive taxation, accessibility of public services, rights of persons with disabilities, migrants and young people, gender equality, and housing affordability. They also highlighted the strength of their organizations in addressing the needs of vulnerable groups and mobilizing communities.
For instance, since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Lithuanian society has shown remarkable unity, as diverse social groups came together to support Ukraine and Ukrainians — both in the war zone and during their integration in Lithuania.
However, several participants pointed out that trust in public institutions has weakened, as citizens often feel unheard. Concerns were also raised about the erosion of democracy and the growing influence of radical and populist forces.
The meeting was also attended by EESC members from Lithuania, including Jurga Subačiūtė-Žemaitienė (Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation – LPSK), Jovita Pretzsch, and Kristina Krupavičienė (Lithuanian Trade Union “Solidarumas”).
Other participants included Jonas Januškevičius, LPSK International Relations Secretary, and Irena Petraitienė, Chair of the Lithuanian Trade Union of Civil Servants, Budgetary and Public Institutions Employees.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is an EU advisory body composed of representatives of workers’, employers’, and various civil society organizations. It provides opinions to the European Commission, the Council of the EU, and the European Parliament on EU policy issues. Based in Brussels, the Committee is made up of 329 members, including nine representatives from Lithuania.