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Dear Ambassadors,

Guests and participants of this debate,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Almost two years ago in this hall we also spoke about our and European Union’s future. Do you remember – we had just ratified the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe at that time. We were the first in the European Union to make this important decision.

It is true that this step met a mixed reaction from Lithuanian society. Despite the critique, then and now our position on the EU Constitutional Treaty refers to the idea that if Europe is more united and stronger, Lithuania’s interests in the world will be represented better and Lithuania will be able to represent better the interests of the EU.  By early and decisive ratification of the Treaty in Lithuania we hoped to give a good start to the ratification process in Europe, so that we could concentrate on other important practical matters. Unfortunately, we have to repeat the same things today – the work is done easier when it is done consistently. But now many difficult issues accumulate and should be resolved until 2008-2009.

It is obvious, that the processes taking place in Europe are very complex. The European Union’s form, borders and common policy areas are being discussed. Difficulties that Europe faces today prove that our decision was right.

Protracting discussions do not help to meet challenges of complex today’s world. Mechanisms of the Constitutional Treaty should improve efficiency of the European Union. The reforms such as establishment of the post of the European Union’s Minister for Foreign Affairs or joint presidency of three Member States would simplify coordination and implementation of common actions. This proves that the EU Constitutional Treaty has been and remains an important project for Europe.

What would I propose?

I would like to say: the Treaty should be ratified in all EU Members. This Constitutional Treaty is the best text the EU Member States managed to agree. We should equally not ignore the fact that this important document has already been ratified by 15 states, and 18 states out of 27 or two thirds of the EU Member States will possibly have this done by January 2007. Ratification should remain the aim. This is recorded in the European Council’s conclusions adopted in June.

We should admit that currently Europe still lacks political will, leadership and understanding among the EU citizens of the necessity of the Treaty. Therefore Germany taking over the EU Presidency faces particular responsibility, because it has to present concrete proposals on the creation of the constitutional basis of the EU.

Debate on the future of the European Union revealed that we should start by finding the common denominator. We should avoid unconstructive discussions as it almost happened to a discussion on the states standing to different socioeconomic models. I think that nobody can be right in such dispute, like there is no unique theory of political economy. This discussion is doomed to failure because every state, government and nation decides these issues individually. So this discussion is to be left for economists and political theorists.

Politicians should address the core of a problem and concrete goals. I think that the people of the European Union want security and well-being for themselves and their countries; therefore they ask the elected representatives for concrete actions and clear answers to burning questions. 

For example a clear decision on the Schengen area is necessary. Our people think of the possibility of free travelling as one of the major benefits of fully-fledged EU membership. We are doing our best to prepare in time to undertake responsibility for protection of external EU border, but the European Commission should also accelerate introduction of the new Schengen Information System. The enlargement of the Schengen zone should become a strategic aim for the whole European Union.

Energy is another priority. Introduction of real, effective and united energy policy and its external dimension would prove that Europe acts and acts for its own benefit.

People also care about stability and security in the EU neighbourhood. We can strengthen it by not turning away from the states of Europe that cherish European values and hope to access the EU. Just as the membership perspective for Central and Eastern European states gave the impetus for the EU development, so strengthening cooperation with  the EU’s eastern neighbours may also enhance security, stability and contribute to Community’s well-being.

We should not forget about our homework, because people find it more and more difficult to distinguish between responsibilities of the European Union and of national governments. We must pay more attention to education, innovations, and other means to encourage economic growth and competitiveness, as well as to unimplemented public reforms that should lead towards creation of modern and self-confident society. I think that every national government’s political will to undertake these works guarantees Europe’s success.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are to face a serious challenge: we should find political will to agree on the future of the EU. Today I do not want to predict the consequences of failure to respond to this challenge.

The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe was signed by the heads of states and governments in Rome – in the same city where the Treaty of Rome was signed 50 years ago. The Treaty of Rome to which today’s debate is dedicated guaranteed peace, cooperation, and increasing prosperity in Europe. I hope this proves vitality of this eternal city and political and legal ideas that have been recorded there.

I hope that honourable participants of this conference will share their ideas and anticipations that will help politicians to find the best way for realisation of the EU vision.  Let us try to formulate constructive proposals in order to agree on generally acceptable ways to settle the issues of importance to us all by the middle of 2007.

Our common interest is to see strong Europe and our common goal is to make every citizen of the EU Member State “more European” without losing his national identity.  Development of this European consciousness is the aim of political and, I would say, civil everyday activities.

Thank you for your attention and wish you a creative discussion!