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/unofficial translation/Vilnius, October 2001Dear Minister,This year Lithuania marks the tenth anniversary of the diplomatic recognition of her newly restored statehood. This decade is also a decade of a modern history of Lithuania and Russia, marked by dynamism of great accomplishment and endeavour.The 9 October 1991, the day we established the diplomatic relations, crowns a courageous move by the two young nations taken a few months earlier, the signing of the Treaty on Inter-State Relations between Lithuania and Russia. By this Treaty, we managed to give an evaluation of the sensitive moments of the past, to develop the formula of good neighbourhood and to establish the guidelines for the future co-operation based on free choice and equal partnership. Over this decade, the Lithuanian-Russian relations have not become hostage of other issues. We have resolved essential political issues, have built a solid base of bilateral agreements, and have established co-operation bodies, such as the Intergovernmental Co-operation Commission and the Co-operation Council of Lithuanian Regions and the Kaliningrad Region of the Russian Federation. This enables the two Governments today to focus on economic relations, issues of international co-operation as well as on regional projects.The prospects of Lithuanian-Russian political and economic co-operation are increasingly affected by the international context, such as membership in major international organizations, including the United Nations, the OSCE, and the Council of Europe; the enlargements of the North Atlantic Organization and the EU, Lithuania’s membership of the WTO and Russia’s future membership thereof, as well as the processes of economic globalisation and regional integration. Obviously, the two countries are becoming part of the universal processes.The course of Lithuanian-Russian relations confirms that a secure and economically stable state can develop open and constructive relations with the neighbouring countries, as these relations are no longer subject to mistrust and suspicion. We welcome Russia’s increasing relations with countries of the Baltic Sea and Central Europe; the best example of which is the current dynamism of Russian-Polish relations. We hope that the positive experience of Lithuanian-Russian relations in tackling effectively complicated issues will benefit the relations with the other Baltic states, Latvia and Estonia. The new realities of the region and the emerging challenges necessitate a continuous partner-like co-operation. Lithuanian-Russian agreement on additional bilateral confidence and security building measures increases openness and mutual confidence in the military field and is one of the most outstanding cases of this type of co-operation.Increasing trade turnover between Lithuania and Russia is a positive sign and an impulse for the further favourable development of commercial-economic relations between our countries. In the numerous high level meetings between our officials this year, main attention was focused on the development of a positive economic agenda. Implementation of various economic cooperation projects was also emphasised during the recent meetings between the Presidents and the Prime Ministers of our countries, among them, such important issues as cooperation between Klaipeda and Kaliningrad seaports, development of international transport corridors, and long-term energy transportation projects, due to become a part of the future energy partnership between the EU and Russia. Implementation of these projects would benefit both our nations.Lithuania has successfully taken over the experience of cross-border co-operation in Western Europe, developed over the past decades. The best example thereof is Lithuania’s co-operation with the Kaliningrad Region of the Russian Federation, combining theoretical discussions with practical activities. We hope that the Kaliningrad Region of the Russian Federation will evolve into a space which is open to regional integration and the opportunities extended by EU enlargement, and that the Region’s development models will be in line with present realities, enabling to meet the challenges posed by the dynamism of regional and economic processes. A major co-operation potential lies in implementing regional infrastructure projects in transport, energy, environmental protection, which have been included in our joint proposals for the EU Nordic Dimension Initiative. In this context, the role of the Council of the Baltic Sea States is important. We hope that as chairman of this organization, Russia will give new impulse to the development of cross-border co-operation. The European Union, too, is increasingly focusing on the Baltic Sea region, as it continues to implement the Nordic Dimension Initiative.Over this decade, a new generation emerged in Lithuania, a generation free from phobias and stereotypes. I am convinced that these young people will successfully implement the qualitatively new Lithuanian-Russian co-operation projects, which we are now designing. It is satisfactory that the Lithuanian minority in Russia and the Russian minority in Lithuania are becoming an important link between our countries and nations.The imperatives of the new millennium in Lithuanian- Russian relations call for a model that combines the free will of the two nations, the long-term historical and cultural links, and the emerging opportunities for regional and international co-operation. Lithuania’s vision of the future is the participation in Euro-Atlantic integration, and the development of good neighbourly relations and active regional co-operation. I am convinced that this is a good base for the future Lithuanian-Russian relations.On the occasion of the first ten years of Lithuanian-Russian diplomatic relations, I would like to extend my greetings to you, Mr. Minister, to your colleagues the diplomats, as well as to the politicians, businessmen, scientists and representatives of culture, to all the Russian citizens who have helped to give a new quality to our bilateral relations. I hope to be able to greet you in person in the very nearest future and to discuss with you the prospects of our further co-operation. With best regards,Antanas Valionis