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First Session “Democratic Developments in the Region: Recent Trends and Future Prospects” Riga, February 6, 2004 Excellencies, Dear Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen, First of all, I would like to thank our Latvian friends for this timely and truly important initiative. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will soon become members of the European Union and NATO.

So-called “double enlargement” will finally complete our vision of a free and united Europe. This Europe will be stronger, more energetic, and more creative, not least because of our membership and our experience.

Those countries, which have walked the path of integration, know that democratic and economic reform is not an easy option. It demands a strong political will and persistence.

But in young democratic societies, where people change parties, parties change leaders, and leaders change ideals with an incredible pace, democracy does not always find sufficient people’s support.

We know that democracy does not yet belong in all parts of our region. For nearly a decade democratic ideals have been neglected in our close neighbourhood – in Belarus. After enlargement, Belarus will become neighbour of both – European Union and NATO. Thus, our relations with countries like Belarus can no longer remain on the back burner.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Democracy is a daily exercise. It relates not only to participation in free and democratic elections, but also to involvement, on a regular basis, in the country’s social and economic development. People should hold stakes in democracy to let it persist.

Our experience shows that only co-ordinated international activities can bring the desired objectives into life. If our policy towards the current regime in Belarus is consistent, so must be our support to the democratic segments of the Belarusian society. We must ensure that Belarusian democratic society develops in transparent conditions. We should seek to strengthen the independent Belarus and its national identity.

This international conference contributes to the consolidation of the Belarusian democratic forces, as well as to the development of communication with Belarus. The engagement of the neighbouring countries in practical co-operation projects with the Belarusian political parties, NGO’s, mass media, youth organisations and local authorities is crucial.

Belarusian society should keep in perspective that international community, especially the European Union and the United States, are determined to engage actively, once democratic change takes place in Belarus.

European Union should build its dialogue with Belarus on the basis of clearly set criteria. The ongoing discussions on the development of the Wider Europe – New Neighbourhood Initiative should also include Belarus. We suggest elaborating an EU Action Plan for Belarus and presenting it to public discussions in the Belarusian society. It could serve as an alternative example of possible EU-Belarus relations, and it could prove the readiness of international community to engage.

Active US involvement in the subject of our today’s discussion is of paramount importance. The recently proposed E-PINE initiative offers a new powerful instrument of regional policy, which could help us implement a series of joint projects, aimed at promoting democratic development.

In less than nine months, Belarus will hold parliamentary elections. In this context, the OSCE mission in Minsk will play an important role. Its more active participation in the democratic processes in Belarus is necessary. The OSCE activities should focus on the Belarusian electoral code, which, in our view, cannot provide free and fair electoral process unless properly amended.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, the question is not whether we have enough good ideas to break through the walls of self-isolation, which were erected around Belarus over the last years. The basket of ideas for Belarus has never been empty. The active policies of Lithuania and other neighbours have contributed to this result.

For instance, Institute for Belarus Studies, based in Vilnius, – a non-governmental academic organisation, is actively engaged in projects contributing to the development of civil society and promoting European ideas in Belarus. Recently, Institute took care of Yakub Kolas Humanities Lyceum, the only secondary school in Minsk providing education in Belarusian language, which was disbanded by the authorities of Belarus in summer 2003. The students and teachers of the Lyceum were provided an opportunity to have their classes in Vilnius. In our view, this practical assistance to the young generation of Belarus should have an impact on the strengthening of the national identity of the Belarusian people on the whole.

Commitment, resources, and vision – these are the three elements, which must form the foundations of any strategy paper developed for Belarus. And of course these three elements are constituent parts of effective leadership.

After enlargement, the question of leadership will be raised more and more stridently on the global arena. Our policies towards the countries of so-called “new neighbourhood” can replace competition with co-operation and increase global leadership of both the European Union and the United States.

For that goal we must work together, by sharing our resources, our experience, and our leadership. Thank you.