Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius met with Grand Duke Henri and Minister the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development Joëlle Welfring, among others.
Speaking to RTL, Commissioner Sinkevičiu explained that “the war in Ukraine has increased pressure on the EU’s environmental dossiers.”
He stressed that Russia’s actions lack any sense of morality, which is why more needs to be done to counteract them: “Not only do they commit war crimes in Ukraine, but they will now also be responsible for a global food crisis.”
While access to petrol has often been discussed since the beginning of the war, the EU Commissioner highlighted that a similar situation also applies to fertiliser: “Our farmers get most of their fertiliser from Russia and Belarus. Even the EU member states that produce their own rely on gas to trigger the chemical reaction needed to make fertiliser. And this brings us right back to Russia.”
Transitioning towards more sustainable agriculture with less fertiliser is therefore an important goal, explained Commissioner Sinkevičiu, as it will help bring down food prices in the long term.
The Lithuanian politician also talked about his meeting with Grand Duke Henri, praising the sovereign for his level of insight into issues relating to ecosystems: “I am really thankful that he knows so much about what are very complicated issues. The same can also be said about the country’s politicians, who put forward exemplary policies.”
The EU Commissioner concluded by saying that legislation will be needed on many different levels to advance the Union’s work on the environment.
