Minister A. Palionis declined the invitation to become deputy minister
When the future Minister of Agriculture, Kęstutis Mažeika, invited the acting minister, Andrius Palionis, to join his team, he says he turned down the offer, whilst Deputy Minister Rolandas Taraškevičius and former Minister Ignas Hofmanas also received invitations to join, but have not yet made up their minds.
A. Palionis confirmed to BNS that he had received an offer to serve as deputy minister, but had turned it down. “Quite simply, I have slightly different goals in life,” A. Palionis told BNS. He has not yet revealed his future plans.
I. Hofmanas also confirmed to BNS that a preliminary discussion with K. Mažeika regarding the post of deputy minister had taken place. “Perhaps there was a conversation along those lines, suggesting that I might be invited,” I. Hofmanas told BNS.
When asked whether he would accept the offer, he said “more likely not than yes”, but added that he would still discuss the matter with the future minister.
“Probably not, at least for the time being. The main reason is that I have a farm, (...) and I need to devote more attention to it. (...) I’d also like to speak to Kęstutis (Mažeika – BNS) in person,” he said.
R. Taraškevičius also confirmed to BNS that he had received an invitation, but said he had not yet made a decision.
On Wednesday, K. Mažeika told the “Delfi” news portal that he was inviting former ministers to join the team because there is a lack of stability in agriculture and the aim is to maintain consistency. Meanwhile, the experience of the current Deputy Minister, R. Taraškevičius, is important in negotiations with the European Commission on the future multiannual budget and the Common Agricultural Policy.
“We joked that, in five minutes’ time, I’ll be the fifth minister in three years – that’s how much stability is lacking, particularly in agriculture. What is needed here is focus, consistency and perhaps continuity in the work begun by the last two ministers,“ the future minister told the website.
“An extremely important moment lies ahead: the presidency (of the Council of the EU – BNS), and although it will last for half a year, the preparatory work is already underway and the outcome – which will have an impact for at least the next seven years – is of great importance, and Rolandas Taraškevičius is a professional in this field“ he said.
