News

On 25 January during the round table discussion on the draft strategy “Lithuania 2030” at the Seimas, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis emphasized that the strengthening of the partnership between the Nordic and Baltic countries was a long-term task, which comprised joint solution of energy and transport problems, and the creation of the region’s information space.

“First of all, I would like to emphasize the importance of the Nordic direction in Lithuania’s long-term development strategy. Until 2030, the country will have undergone a few more election cycles. Future governments must ensure the continuity of the country’s Nordic orientation,” Ažubalis stressed.

He said that so far the potential and future role of the Arctic policy in the spheres of the extraction and transportation of energy resources was not properly assessed. Therefore the importance of this region for Lithuania and the world will grow every year.

The Minister stressed that one of the most important today’s achievements was the fact that together with other Nordic and Baltic countries real action was taken to eliminate the region’s energy, transport and economic “islands” and/or “peninsulas” over the next decade.

According to Ažubalis, the core of the Nordic Baltic Eight (NB8) cooperation is continuous exchange of knowledge and experience in the areas of expertise. Lithuania’s attention to its Eastern European neighbours and accumulated experience of cooperation with them can obtain even greater value and encourage more active involvement in the NB8 activities.

During the event, members of the Government, authors of the strategy, public and media representatives discussed the creativity as the driving force behind much of the progress of the state, and Lithuania’s strategic orientation towards and integration into the Nordic-Baltic region, and preserving national identity in the context of globalization.

The strategy “Lithuania 2030” presents a long-term view and focuses on the country’s future. This strategic planning document aims to promote essential changes in the Lithuanian society thus ensuring the country’s progress, competitiveness and prosperity in twenty years.

In 2012, Lithuania is coordinating the cooperation of the eight Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8).