Exchange of information and results during political visit in Brussels

In December, Siauliai Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts organized at political visit to Brussels as part of capacity building action for decision makers.

The aim of the visit was to bring the results from the FanpLESStic-sea project to EU level decision makers and to have an exchange of information on microplastic related issues:

• to inform EU decision makers that the microplastic issue is discussed and is a concern for business in the Baltic Sea Region
• to gain knowledge in EU plans and actions on plastic and microplastic pollution
• to provide EU decision makers with knowledge on the issue in order reach relevant and well informed decisions on the topic
• to provide them with the business perspective on the topic.

The SCCIC delegation had the opportunity to visit EU institutions and meet with EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries  Virginijus Sinkevicius, European Parliament  members Rasa Jukneviciene, Andrius Kubilius, Liudas Mazylis, and European Economic and Social Committee President of the EESC Employers’ Group Stefano Mallia. Also, NGOs like Eurochambres met with Lina Konstantinopoulou, Policy Director Eurochambres and Stefanie Sieberer, Policy Advisor Energy & Environment and SMEunited met with Guido Lena, Director for Sustainable Development.

The FanpLESStic-sea promotional material as well as documents, findings, research done, fact sheets and other project information was presented to all the participants and speakers of the visit. The EU commissioner Sinkevicius expressed his appreciation to the work. Parliament member Liudas Mazylis said that microplastic pollution was an area of interest and the meeting parts agreed to continue communication vie e-mails when the microplastic pollution question will be approaching in the EC calendar.

The overall evaluation of the visit (discussed during wrap-up discussion) was very positive. All the participants were satisfied with the opportunity to be heard by the highest EU officials and the possibility to present their findings on microplastic pollution. To be informed about EU policy plans and get an understanding of how the ways of decision making in the EU institutions works, was appreciated by the visitors.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, meetings were organized as short as possible but it was enough to discuss microplastic issues as well as other related challenges.

/Daiva Jonuskiene, Siauliai Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts