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Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Colleagues and Guests,

Frequently discussed question – does the Baltic Region have a Future? – is the one of a great importance in the context of defining Lithuanian foreign policy priorities and making options in dynamic and constantly changing international environment.

On one side, this basic question addresses to other, more precious and sensitive issues we need to discuss in this context together – is the Baltic community of three nations continually evolving? Should we be more politically and economically ambitious in strive for a regional entity? Do we struggle enough to use our regional potential to its maximum in Euroatlantic and Global dimensions? These and many similar questions do not have a clear and unambiguous answer. 

On the other side, intensifying discussion about the future of the Baltic region reflects a serious turning-point in a way of thinking who we are, where do we stand and how do we relate to others. The main reason for light scepticism and uncertainty towards existence of integrational potential in Baltic countries is the assumption that we still have not decided upon the region’s common strategic vision. Therefore, as the Baltic region, we should work out the guidelines to become a competitive international actor in the face of regional and global challenges, to seize our opportunities and deal with common threats. And I truly believe that we do have ability and vigour to formulate the comprehensive Baltic road map for the future.

What needs to be done?

Before starting a more precise consideration of tasks for such a road map, I would like to emphasize Baltic identity issue which is the main driving force for regionalisation and integration processes.

Although Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have moved on different paths since independence, our foreign policy practice shows that our international partners are used to take a collective view of three Baltic countries. So the Baltic regional entity is taken as given, not only determined by complicated experiences of the past. The main task we should accomplish at the moment – to work out a proper and attractive regional “brand” which might be promoted as an exclusive Baltic feature in the international community. The Baltic regional entity by strengthening its organizational and institutional capacities might find a niche for its activities where it ensures the maximum added value within the new European political architecture. The creation of an advanced and innovative region with a common market as well as of other ambitious ideas could serve as a grand-scenario of revised and reinforced Baltic identity in the long run strategy. A strong Baltic region would also encourage closer and more effective cooperation with nearby countries - Poland, Finland and Sweden.

Fostering of the Baltic identity as well as developing of its contents should be a continuous process, performed both individually and in cooperation among Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in political, social, economical, cultural and other spheres.

Dear Colleagues,

In my opinion, among the tasks of paramount importance to be included in the Baltic road map for the future, the solutions to problems of the energy sector should be singled out first of all. Particular attention should be paid to our potential of using alternative, “clean” and sustainable resources. This is of vital importance for us who have no fossil resources to ensure the energy security and to tackle the problems of climate change.

Second set of issues for the common action is environment protection and in particular - pollution of the Baltic Sea. The problems to tackle here stem from the increased navigation intensity and a threat caused by the chemical weapons dumped at sea. We should evaluate a possible negative impact upon the seaside that, in its turn, would negatively impact development of tourism and recreation industry of the Baltic region.

Thirdly, people-to-people contacts and public safety serve as a base for disclosing creative powers of people, providing them self-reliance and uniting the efforts to strive for higher living standards. It also encompasses prevention and control of such common threats as organized crime and illegal migration.  

This gets in line with our common interest to have like-minded Eastern neighbours who share our values. Strengthening of personal links and cross-border cooperation, as well as promotion the free movement of people with our immediate neighbours, should be considered as a crucial task in the Baltic political agenda. It is vital to enhance human dimension in respect of sustaining the urge for more openness and freedom in Russian and Belarusian societies. I believe that the time has come to offer better possibilities to our Eastern neighbours. Therefore, we need to go beyond visa facilitation for the Kaliningrad region and Belarus, to create a visa free regime, starting with Kaliningrad and moving towards a wider visa free area around the Baltic.

Fourth area of interaction lies in economic and technologic advancement matters, reaching for the competitive, advanced and more self-sustained Baltic industry. In this context the improvement of transport infrastructure should also be put on common agenda as it will contribute to a total integration of the existing and future corridors in Transeuropean network. Also, we should actively extend the regional network of innovations ensuring integration of scientific research institutions and increasing mobility of knowledge.

And last but not least: when dealing with foreign policy issues in broader regional and international contexts, we should improve practices of coordinated political action, namely - speaking "in one voice". All three Baltic States should recognize the fact that regional unity highly serves for securing and promoting our national interests. Regional discourse should be used as a powerful instrument to strengthen our status and influence in the EU, NATO and the rest of international community. Moreover, while "speaking in one voice", the Baltic countries not only will be heard better, but will keep better chances to attract other's attention to the issues, that are important to the three of our countries, e. g. – European Eastern Partnership, EU-Russia relations and etc.  

All above-mentioned key challenges for the region go in line with the strategic foreign policy goals of Lithuania and fully conform to the priorities of Lithuanian chairmanship in CBSS, which will start in July, 2009.  I would also like to refer to the first EU regional strategy - the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. This Strategy sets a clear plan to ensure dynamic development of the region and opens new opportunities for region’s growth. Therefore, all three Baltic States should actively encourage the CBSS and all the states of the Baltic Sea region to join the implementation of the Strategy. 

Today, while confronting with economical and financial challenges, we should look towards future. In course of a recovery of economy of states, a competition between them and individual regions will rapidly grow because each of them will strive to occupy a better “starting-position”. So, we should prepare ourselves for it and consider using opportunities of regional cooperation, especially in the spheres where Baltic States could be leaders. We should identify the sectors of priority that require increased attention and resources, because they will predetermine the dynamism of development both of the region and the whole Europe.

In the end, I would like to draw your attention once again to the title of this panel – “Does the Baltic Region have a Future?”

I hope that upcoming discussions will take our common future as unquestionable fact. The main challenge is to find the answers what should be done to spark the light to the stage of Baltic cooperation we have already reached.

Thank You for your attention.