01/10/2026 | 18:45:52 Dear Madam President, Dear colleagues, I'd like to thank Mr Georgios STAMATIS for approaching demographic change through the lives and choices of people. Across Europe, young adults face expensive housing, uncertain work and difficulties in combining employment with family life. These barriers deserve our attention. A family-friendly Europe begins with practical conditions: affordable childcare, parental leave that mothers and fathers can use, access to housing and dependable services beyond... 30/09/2026 | 11:17:29 Mister President, Dear colleagues, I would like to thank Ms Valentina GRIPPO for her report, which highlights a threat to democracy. When the media can be controlled, intimidated or deprived of the means to survive, citizens are deprived of the information they need to hold those in power to account. Lithuania supports the recommendations aimed at ensuring transparency in media ownership, guaranteeing the independence of regulatory authorities and protecting public service media from... 29/09/2026 | 18:23:43 Thank you, Madam President. Dear colleagues, I would like to thank Lord Leslie GRIFFITHS for reminding us that diasporas are active members of our societies. They connect communities, help newcomers find their place and can bring valuable experience to democratic life. Young people in diaspora communities are particularly well placed to build those connections. Lithuania knows the value of maintaining ties with people who live beyond their country of origin. We also recognise that meaningful... 21/04/2026 | 18:12:26 Thank you, Madam President. This significant report provides a balanced and timely response to one of the key challenges facing our societies today. Freedom of religion or belief, including the right not to believe, is a cornerstone of democratic society. It is inseparable from equality, human dignity and non-discrimination. As clearly stated in the report, this freedom is protected under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights and remains essential for ensuring pluralism and... 21/04/2026 | 11:42:41 Mister President, Dear colleagues, I am speaking today on the resolution on violence and hate speech against politicians. We fully support this draft resolution. The text responds to a worrying reality that affects all our democracies. The report clearly underlines that violence and hate speech against politicians constitute an existential threat to democracy. These are not just attacks on individuals, but direct attacks on the functioning of our institutions and on democratic participation... 27/01/2026 | 20:07:11 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Madame President, Dear Colleagues, Europe stands at a defining moment for its security and its values. The war of aggression launched by Russia against Ukraine is not only an assault on a sovereign nation; it is a direct challenge to the principles that underpin peace on our continent. For this reason, the draft resolution is both timely and necessary, as it sets out a clear political line: any peace process must be based on international law... 01/10/2025 | 16:51:51 Dear Madam President, Ladies and gentlemen, Today we are talking about an essential subject: the role of young people in defending democracy. Around the world, youth movements are rising up to protect freedom, the rule of law and human dignity. Their energy, creativity and courage remind us that democracy can never be taken for granted and must be lived and defended every day. This resolution underlines the importance of the role of young people in protecting democratic values and calls on... 08/04/2025 | 11:35:29 Thank you, Madam Chair. Dear colleagues, Foreign interference is one of the threats to democratic security in Europe today. Whether through cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns or financial influence, external actors, particularly authoritarian regimes, are actively undermining democratic institutions. To safeguard our democratic systems, we must enhance resilience, improve cyberdefence, and enforce stricter regulations on foreign funding in politics. European nations should focus on... 30/01/2025 | 17:09:29 Thank you, Madam President. As representatives of our nations, we stand here not only as policymakers, but as advocates for a fairer, more equitable future. The Parliamentary Assembly has long been a beacon for advancing human rights and equality. Yet we must recognise that the journey toward economic gender equality remains fraught with challenges. Gender equality is not just about fairness. It's an economic imperative. Women contribute significantly to our economies, yet they are often...