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Distinguished guests and participants,

Time passes quickly and today we are meeting already at the 10th Summit and again in Copenhagen, where the first Summit was held in 1999.

I would like to thank Mr. Elemann-Jensen and Baltic Development Forum for their tireless efforts to create the brand of the region that becomes more and more known and seen in the world. Also, for the stimulation of cooperation between the governments and businesses searching for the new directions of economic development and increasing the competitiveness of the Baltic Sea region. I would like to assure that Lithuania is ready to further support these efforts and I hope that in 2010 we will be able to invite you to the Baltic Development Forum summit in Vilnius.

We have a sufficient reason to be proud of the Baltic Sea region that has a perfect possibility to become a model of cooperation for other regions of Europe and the world. European Commission in cooperation with the states of the region has set an ambitious goal - to establish a first internal EU regional strategy for the Baltic Sea region. I believe that our common efforts will contribute to preparing a solid, practical and result-oriented document that will successfully be implemented in practice bringing into reality projects that are of vital importance to the region.

Lithuania strives to make the Strategy a tool for further regional integration. We must clearly realize that the eastern part of the Baltic Sea region is still isolated from the rest of Europe in terms of infrastructure. Failing to cope with this problem is a serious bottleneck for the region and obstacle for creation of an effective EU single market. Therefore, we think that inclusion of the Baltic States into the European energy and transport networks is a key priority for the region and the entire European Union

Energy security is a primary condition for the safe, attractive and prosperous region. The diversity of energy supply, promotion of the efficient and renewable energy resources would ensure region’s and Europe’s energy security, trustworthy supply alternatives and would diminish the effect on climate thus contributing to improvement of the Baltic sea condition.

We welcome and support efforts by the European Commission to take a lead in preparatory work on the Baltic Interconnection Plan. Strategic meaning of trans-European energy interconnections is also recognized in the Commission’s European Economic Recovery Plan, which could become instrumental in solving energy market isolation problems of the Baltic States.

There are number of issues, however, that can be solved only with participation of Russia and Belarus. Implementation of the regionally important transport or environmental projects is not possible without active engagement of our Eastern neighbours. At the same time such type of cooperation would contribute to strengthening of their regional and European identity. I think we should positively look at a possibility of a visa-free travel between the EU and Russia in the future once all the necessary criteria are fulfilled by the Russian government. It is also important to encourage positive attitude of Belarus towards the Baltic Sea region, thus giving an opportunity for the people of Belarus to enjoy benefits of our regional cooperation. Therefore, it is in our interest to reduce existing barriers for the movement of people by facilitating the existing EU visa regime. I believe, we all should support this idea.

By concluding I would like to wish Baltic Development Forum best of success in generating new ideas and bringing together all of us concerned about the future of the Baltic Sea region.  

Thank you for your attention.