Laima Liucija Andrikienė (PPE). – Mr President, we should applaud the important role the European Investment Bank plays in the reconstruction of our economies in the difficult times most of our countries are facing. My country, Lithuania, is a case in point. The EIB plays a role in the national stimulus package, especially when it comes to enhancing financing for small and medium-sized enterprises, but also financing renewable-energy and transport projects.

I would nevertheless urge European governments to provide the EIB with a more significant lending capacity to our neighbours, especially those in the east, that are also suffering from the effects of the crisis and are highly in need of loans and investments. Especially needed are investments in the hard sectors, such as transport, environment and, last but not least, energy. The last one is of particular importance, especially knowing the energy infrastructure problems that...

(The President cut off the speaker.)