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LITHUANIA IN AN ENLARGED EUROPEAN UNIONLadies and Gentlemen,First of all, let me thank you for the possibility to speak here, in a center, which presents all information about the European Union in Paris. I am glad to contribute to this very important discussion about Lithuania in an enlarged European Union.Let me start with the quotation of the Robert Schuman Declaration adopted more than 50 years ago: “Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity”.Today, these words have come true. Europe was not built overnight. The European Union has been enlarging step by step, by accepting new members and expanding its communautarian practices. Thus, our topic today is a Wider Europe, including not only a largest possible membership but also a broader application of cooperation experience.In an enlarged Europe, Lithuania wants to be an active, cooperative and responsible partner, which plays an important role in regional cooperation and contributes to the welfare, stability and security of the Union.Lithuania- active, cooperative and responsible partnerFor Lithuania, 2002 has been a year of landmark events. In October, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of our democratic Constitution. In November, an invitation to NATO was issued in Prague. And in December, Lithuania concluded its accession negotiations with the European Union. Thus, last year has closed an entire decade of our state building reforms. Lithuania has been consolidated as a European democracy where human rights and civil liberties are respected and high standard of social and economic development is guaranteed.Last year was also successful in economic terms. The national GDP has grown at a spectacular rate, and at the same time, inflation has remained low. Lithuanian exports have remained on a steady upward track, fueled with increasing foreign investment in Lithuania. In its last-year report, the European Commission has acknowledged Lithuania as a functioning market economy.Upon the conclusion of the Accession Treaty in Athens on April 16, Lithuania has lost its status as a candidate country and has become an acceding country. Now the immediate task is to become a full-fledged member of the Union by assuming all member-state responsibilities and by integrating smoothly into the EU policy-making.In a couple of weeks, Lithuania’s membership will have to be approved in an obligatory referendum. For us, turnout is important. More than 50 percent of the Lithuanian citizens should appear to the polls in order to make the referendum effective. And the majority must vote ‘yes’ in order to make it successful. To win the referendum, the government has launched an active pro-European campaign. We believe it will prove itself. According to the recent (opinion) polls, 2/3 of the voters are in favour of Lithuania’s EU membership. It is the highest ever public support for the EU membership in Lithuania.Another important task that Lithuania has to complete before membership is to improve its national preparedness. To achieve this, we must take advantage of our current status in the EU institutions, to optimise the national system of coordination as regards the EU affairs, to strengthen our administrative capacities; and finally, to implement our commitments made during the negotiations.Lithuania is ready to take the responsibility of the membership. Lithuania seeks to become a member of the European Monetary Union and to join the Schengen area with the first group of the newly acceding countries in 2005-2007. Our two police officers have already joined the first EU crisis management operation – the EU Police mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Lithuanian military officer participates in the first EU military mission in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.Lithuania realizes the significance of the fulfilment of ambitious targets set in Lisbon: to create a competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy, to maintain sustainable growth and to ensure employment and social cohesion in a larger Union. EU structural support will be one of the main instruments of diminishing disparities and ensuring economic growth in Lithuania. Lithuania’s economic growth, the competitiveness of local goods and services in international markets is closely related with the development of energy, transport and telecommunications infrastructure. The extension of the internal market in the enlarged Union would not be complete unless its infrastructure is connected.. Completion of the “Baltic Ring” energy project, connection of the Baltic Sea electricity networks with the European grids through the power systems of Lithuania and Poland is key to the growth of the Baltic Sea Region. “Via Hanseatica” and “Rail Baltica” are indispensable elements of this broader picture. Ladies and Gentlemen,Lithuania- regional playerAs a new responsible member state of the EU, Lithuania wants to share its experience of good neighborly relations and regional cooperation. Lithuania has a unique experience in these fields and is ready to contribute effectively to formation and implementation of the EU external policy .At the same time Lithuania, represents an inspiring example for the new EU neighbors. Immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union, our start positions were just the same as those of Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova. Yet our progress during the last 10 years has been different. Lithuania is ready to share its reform experience and to support the democratic and economic transition in these countries through increasing cooperation and narrowing the gap between the living standards across the borders. Lithuania also recognizes the strategic significance of the EU-Russia cooperation. Lithuania views its relations with Russia as an integral part of this process. Lithuania is interested in contributing to building a closer economic partnership between the EU and Russia, since flexible trade rules and growing transit flows will benefit all of us, including Lithuania. Russia is also an important energy partner, as well as a critical member of the European security community.Lithuania attributes a special attention to the development of the Kaliningrad region. Kaliningrad is particularly well located to take advantage of the EU enlargement. In our view, Kaliningrad is a “window of opportunity” and a model for wider co-operation between Russia and the enlarging EU, and we work hard to prove this. In particular, Lithuania focuses on projects with Kaliningrad region in the fields of Justice and Home Affairs, environmental protection, cross-border co-operation, regional economic development, and the building of administrative capacity and civil society. In order to promote this objective Lithuania has already taken a number of initiatives together with the Russian Federation.Ladies and Gentlemen,Lithuania- creating countryBy sharing its experience of regional cooperation, Lithuania is ready to contribute to developing a broader concept of the future of the EU. Our aim is not merely to participate, our aim is to make an input. We wish to see the European Union prosperous and solidarity based, secure and influential, efficient and equality-based. The achievements of the EU’s economic integration are compelling. Its further expansion and deepening should remain our overall priority. The Prosperity of the Union is only possible in combination with the principle of solidarity. This is what the word “Union” stands for – namely, “One” for all of us.. A union of double standards, of two policies and of two budgets is in nobody’s interest. On the contrary, the EU policies should aim at effective integration and the promotion of social and economic cohesion in the European Union.Security of the Union, regional security, state security, individual security is the main priority of all member states of the EU. Lithuania also seeks to make its input in creating common security of the enlarged Union. After EU enlargement, Lithuania will guard at least one fifth of EU eastern external border. Lithuania will have a significant task- to ensure the security and reliability of the EU external border.Democracy, solidarity and security within the EU will make our Union stronger. The stronger the Union, the better it will be for Lithuania. The EU must have a stronger political influence globally. Lithuania supports the further development of an active, credible and influential Common Foreign and Security Policy.In an enlarged Union, Lithuania wants to be an equal member. We believe that the idea of community should be further enhanced in the Union by broadening the scope of common action and by strengthening EU institutions. As for the EU institutional reform, the principles of Lithuania are clear: equilibrium between the efficiency and democracy of the EU, equality of its Member States, preservation of institutional balance in the EU. Neither the goals Lithuania and France pursue, nor the principles we follow, are different. Sometimes we see different ways of achieving these goals, but the variety of opinions is the best driving force to seek solutions. From this viewpoint, participation in the Convention is an excellent experience for all of us.In conclusion, I would like to note that our integration into the EU is nothing but returning home where we belong.We are joining the Union where Lithuania will be able to keep its identity, to enrich it with other countries’ experience and to contribute to the creation of European identity.Lithuania appreciates the significance of France in building a single Europe. The foundations of the EU was laid by two great Frenchmen, Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet. Now another great statesman, Giscard d’Estaing, presides over the Convent of Europe. France always was the ‘motor’ of the EU. Lithuania seeks to cooperate closely with France, to learn from the French experience and to create together our common future.Thank you for your attention.