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On 10 September in Vilnius, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas opened a two-day round-table discussion “Co-operation in the Baltic Sea Region: an Example for Closer EU – Russia Relations?”.

Representatives from the European Commission, the European Union member states, including the Swedish EU Presidency, Russia and non-governmental organisations as well as the academic community discuss the EU-Russia relations from the perspective of the Baltic Sea Region and the cooperation of the countries of the Baltic Sea Region in the areas of energy, environment protection and transport.

In his welcome address, Minister V.Ušackas stressed that Russia was an important state of the Baltic Sea Region and partner of the EU. According to the Minister, currently, the potential of the EU-Russia cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region is not entirely exhausted. A versatile cooperation of Russia and other countries of the Baltic Sea Region can be successful and is desirable.  In the opinion of V.Ušackas, possibilities and instruments for closer cooperation do exist, and it is up to all of us to make the best use of them.

“In order to strengthen EU-Russia relations we need to overcome psychological barriers. We can achieve this by strengthening cross-border cooperation and human contacts at all levels, and by promoting the free movement of people around the Baltic”, said Minister V.Ušackas.

According to Minister V.Ušackas, the speed and scope of the implementation of these tasks will depend on both the EU and Russia.

In the words of the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy, while pursuing closer cooperation there also must be certain prerequisites, the most important of which is that the countries should respect international law and norms of cooperation.

According to the Minister, talking to each other is very important. A dialogue can lead to a change of attitudes and pragmatic solutions. An opening towards a positive dialogue was recently demonstrated by the way we managed to resolve the problems, regarding the border passage of the Lithuanian trucks and the limitations that were imposed for dairy products.  On the other hand, it is very important for the EU to speak with one voice and to send one message.

“Interests of one country cannot be satisfied for account of other EU member states,” Minister V.Ušackas said.

The Minister stressed that each and every country of the region, including Russia, cooperated in making the Baltic Sea region an effective, attractive and competitive international actor, which reaped the benefits of the processes of globalization and was capable of withstanding regional and global challenges and threats.

As the current Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), Lithuania is determined to promote regional cooperation in the Baltic Sea region and in a broader EU-Russia context.

The discussion was organised by the Eastern Europe Studies Centre, the EU-Russia Centre in Brussels and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.