Inga Ruginienė

Investing in people means investing in our shared future. At a high-level forum in Chișinău, Moldova, I presented Lithuania’s efforts to strengthen families and develop an integrated long-term care system. Across Europe and Central Asia, we face similar challenges: ageing societies, changing family needs and growing demand for accessible care. These priorities will also be part of Lithuania’s agenda during its upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Honoured to welcome ILO Director-General @GilbertFHoungbo to Lithuania – the first visit by an ILO chief in 12 years. We discussed workers’ rights, social dialogue and decent work for all. Social justice is not a luxury. It is a necessity.

A competitive Europe must also be a socially fair Europe. At the EPSCO Council in Luxembourg, we discussed the upcoming EU Quality Jobs Act, workers’ rights in the age of AI, and the fight against poverty. These priorities will also guide Lithuania’s EU Council Presidency in 2027. Our focus is clear: people, their dignity, safety and opportunities.

At the Tripartite Social Summit in Brussels, alongside EU leaders and social partners, I moderated a discussion on making the Single Market work for both workers and businesses. Our message: competitiveness must go hand in hand with quality jobs and social progress. A key priority for Lithuania’s EU Council Presidency in 2027.

Good meeting with @RoxanaMinzatu, European Commission Executive Vice-President. We discussed Lithuania’s priorities ahead of our 2027 EU Council Presidency, upcoming high-level events, new EU initiatives and the impact of AI on the labour market. Looking forward to working together on a strong social agenda for Europe.

Good meeting with H.E. José Fernando Fernández-Aguayo Muñoz, Ambassador of Spain to Lithuania. We discussed Lithuania’s priorities ahead of our 2027 EU Council Presidency and upcoming high-level events, as well as new EU legislative initiatives and the impact of AI on the labour market. Looking forward to strengthening cooperation between Lithuania and Spain.

🇱🇹🇮🇪 Earlier this week, I met with Ireland’s Ambassador to Lithuania @IrishAmbVilnius to discuss our bilateral cooperation and Lithuania’s preparations to take over the EU Council Presidency in January. We also exchanged views on Ireland’s priorities and the importance of sharing experience ahead of the handover.

Together with Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Secretary of the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers, we signed a communiqué establishing a labour consultations mechanism between Lithuania and the Philippines. It will help us maintain regular dialogue on labour market needs, recruitment procedures and conditions, while strengthening the protection of workers’ rights and preventing unfair recruitment and exploitation. An important step in strengthening cooperation between Lithuania and the Philippines. 🇱🇹🇵🇭

It was a pleasure to meet with Ukraine’s Ambassador to Lithuania @OlhaNikitchenko and discuss how Lithuania can continue strengthening its support for Ukraine. Following Ukraine’s Independence Day, we reaffirmed that our support will remain strong and long-term – from helping Ukrainians in Lithuania to standing firmly with Ukraine’s European future. Lithuania stands with Ukraine. 🇱🇹🇺🇦

On Ukraine’s Independence Day, Lithuania stands with Ukraine – as we have from the very beginning of Russia’s full-scale war. For me, Ukraine is deeply personal. My family has roots there, and I spent many summers of my childhood in Kramatorsk, a city that has since become part of the reality of Russia’s war. More than four years of war have not broken Ukraine. They have only strengthened our conviction that its future must be decided by Ukrainians themselves. Ukraine has the right to peace, security and victory. Lithuania will continue to stand by Ukraine and support its defence, its people and its European future. З Днем Незалежності, Україно! 🇺🇦💙💛 Разом до перемоги! Слава Україні! 🇺🇦✨

It was a pleasure to welcome Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Lithuania Tamerlan Garayev to the Ministry of Social Security and Labour. We discussed opportunities to strengthen our cooperation in employment, social protection and labour mobility, as well as ways to address shared challenges such as demographic change and an ageing population. Lithuania is open to highly skilled workers from Azerbaijan, while ensuring that the rights of all workers are protected and fair working conditions are respected. Our countries share a long-standing partnership. I look forward to continuing this dialogue and turning it into practical cooperation that benefits people in both Lithuania and Azerbaijan. 🇱🇹🤝🇦🇿

Today marks the end of my term as Prime Minister of Lithuania. It has been an honour to serve our country in this role. I am grateful to everyone who worked alongside me and to the people of Lithuania for their trust and support. I now continue this work as Minister of Social Security and Labour, with the same commitment to serving people. I wish Prime Minister @mindaugassink and the new Government every success. Lithuania's success is our shared goal.

Dear Yulia @Svyrydenko_Y, Thank you for your leadership, your dedication to Ukraine, and for the strong friendship and cooperation we have built together. It has been an honour to stand with you in supporting Ukraine's fight for freedom. Lithuania's support for Ukraine remains unwavering. We will continue to stand with Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes. Слава Україні! 🇱🇹🇺🇦

Saddened by the news of Senator Lindsey Graham’s passing. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the American people. Senator Graham was a steadfast friend of Lithuania, a strong advocate for transatlantic unity, and a committed supporter of Ukraine. His dedication to our shared values and security will be always remembered.

Today, Lithuanians around the world celebrate 773 years of our statehood. Through centuries of triumphs and trials, Lithuania has preserved what matters most – our freedom, our unity, and our determination to shape our own future as part of the family of European nations. Su Valstybės diena, Lietuva!

Congratulations to United States Vice-President @JDVance and to all Americans on the 250th anniversary of American independence. Today, the Stars and Stripes fly proudly over Vilnius as a symbol of the enduring friendship between Lithuania and the U.S. My warmest thanks to every U.S. service member serving in Lithuania. As friends, strategic partners and NATO Allies, we will continue standing side by side in defending liberty, democracy, and our shared security. Happy #FourthOfJuly!

Deeply saddened by the tragic shooting in Stade, Germany. My sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. Wishing a speedy recovery to all those injured. Lithuania stands with Germany.

Lithuania is deploying search-and-rescue and emergency medical teams to earthquake-hit Venezuela. Working together with our allies and partners, we stand ready to help save lives. I thank Germany for its support in transporting our teams and all international partners coordinating this response. Wishing our rescuers and medical professionals a safe and successful mission.

It was a pleasure to welcome Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. I thanked Pope Leo XIV for his principled voice on Ukraine at a time when such moral leadership is deeply needed. We also reflected on the vital role of families in building resilient, compassionate societies as Lithuania prepares to mark the Years of the Family in 2027–2028.

We express our condolences and solidarity with the people of Venezuela affected by the devastating earthquakes. Lithuania stands ready to deploy search-and-rescue and medical assistance teams. We are in close contact with the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania to assess specific aid needs and explore potential joint actions with U.S. rescue teams.