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Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Two weeks ago, it would have been somewhat simpler to discuss the best case scenarios for Europe and the Baltic Sea region for the coming decade. However, the recent tragic events in the United States are urging us to look much deeper into the role and the responsibilities of regional, European and trans-Atlantic institutions. In this context, it is very appropriate that we should look afresh into what kind of region, and indeed, what kind of Europe we seek to build and how we can proceed about it. We in Lithuania look forward to a united, solidarity-driven, and proactive Europe, with Lithuania and our Polish and Baltic neighbours as full-fledged members of the European Union. We look forward to a cooperative region, that has long left behind its past divisions and enjoys a unity in diversity; a region where countries know to respect their differences and benefit from each other's creative and economic potential; where border lines delineate but not divide, where the Baltic NATO membership does not instill fears or resentments but opens up new opportunities for a mutually beneficial cooperation. Our vision implies a Kaliningrad Region fully aware of and benefiting from the opportunities offered by the neighbourhood of the European Union and implementing joint projects with individual member states as well as under the aegis of the EU. Let me state very clearly: there is no room for isolation or isolationism in our vision of the region. There is no doubt that by becoming members of the EU, we'll accept the rules and regulations of this ever-growing club of European nations. However, as Kaliningrad's neighbours we'll continue our policy of openness and intense cooperation with the Region, a policy that has already given fruit and has contributed to EU's increasing focus on the issue. Our consistent efforts to seek a favourable solution regarding the visa regime with the Kaliningrad Region, our position regarding increasing natural gas transit between mainland Russia and the Kaliningrad Region are a case in point. Our vision of the coming decade cannot be complete without Russia, an essential player in the region and an increasingly active partner of the EU and the trans-Atlantic community. On its part, already today Lithuania is creating real positive facts of co-operation with Russia in accordance with the Common Strategy of the EU on Russia and the Northern Dimension Initiative. Naturally, we can't neglect the processes in Belarus, which, in a few years' time, is to become a neighbour of an enlarged EU. Helping Belarus develop and sustain a democratic footing is an essential matter for our entire region.The ways of implementing this optimistic vision are many and varied. Let me name but a few. Developing an advanced network of highways and railways adapted to the European standard railway gauge around the Baltic Sea is one of them, as it would promote rail and road cargo transit and, notably, tourist exchanges. The highways Via Baltica and Via Hanseatica, the Rail Baltica project could become an essential link joining the western and eastern shores of the Baltic Sea, as well as a key pan-European link. I can see a real future in cross border co-operation. This type of co-operation is relatively new to a number of states in the Baltic Sea region, but it is exactly what we need for a wider dialogue and exchanges among our nations. Cross-border co-operation has a particular value for filling-in the gaps between the communities at different stages of economic, cultural and historic development and thus contributing to overall integration of the region. Cooperation in environment, information society, transport and energy sectors could be significantly improved through programmes and projects like Northern e-Dimension, Baltic Sea Electricity Ring, Baltic Gas, Rail Baltica, and by setting up the Euroregions "Nemunas", "Baltija", and "Saulė". The long list of less known but no less important cross-border projects illustrates that our communities willingly engage in an active process of shaping the future of the region. A region of prosperous communities which make up part of the democratic and stable states in the north of Europe- such is a best- case scenario for the Baltic region in 2015. Furthermore, we expect the Baltic region to be a proactive one in that our countries should also extend their cooperation to the other regions of Europe, promoting joint projects and initiatives that benefit Europe as a whole and reach out to the less tranquil zones or trouble- stricken areas, including those beyond its borders. In order to enjoy a long term prosperity and stability, Europe, and with it the Baltic region, must project internationally a solid and durable success story, a truly international voice, an ever increasing role in dealing with major and often unprecedented challenges of the 21st century.Thank you.