VILNIUS, Jun 19, BNS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda will on Friday take part in a European Council meeting via a video call during which EU leaders will share their opinions on the economic recovery plan in response to the coronavirus crisis.

Leaders will express their views on the European Commission's proposal to borrow 750 billioneuros from the markets and spend the money to help the countries that are the worst-hit by the coronavirus, first of all, Italy and Spain.

Countries stressing the need of fiscal discipline, like the Netherlands and Austria, are resisting the plan yet as they want a smaller fund and suggest spending the money on loans, not subsidies, as all EU taxpayers will later have to repay the debt.

Under the European Commission proposal, Lithuania would be offered 6.3 billion euros from the new fund, of which 3.9 billion euros would come in subsidies and 2.4 billion euros would make possible loans.

EU leader will also discuss the 2021-2027 EU budget.

Diplomats say the majority of leaders agree that a video call is not the best way for real negotiations, therefore, they plan to simply share their opinion on Friday and hold real negotiations during the first live meeting in July.

By Vaidotas Beniušis

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