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Distinguished participants,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It’s my pleasure to open today’s discussion on the subject of prospects for the closer EU and Russia cooperation.

The title of this round table is somewhat misleading. Can the Baltic Sea region be regarded as an example for closer EU-Russia relations? As we know, an example, by its very definition, has to lead, inspire, or show the way. Does that definition apply to our relationship?

If we take a close look at cooperation around the Baltic Sea, we are certain to note certain gaps, especially in terms of our interaction with Russia. Just yesterday Nezavisimaya Gazeta carried an article about the beginning of Russian- Belarusian military exercises “West 2009”, the largest in recent history of  cooperation between the two countries and lasting almost the  entire month of September, where according to the exercise plan, the Kaliningrad District is presumed to be attacked by aggressors coming from eastern direction who I quote “broke through the Russian- Lithuanian border in the zone of  Krasnoznamensk and, having pushed across Neman, entered into fight with the troops of Kaliningrad defence region” (end of quote).

What kind of  signal does that send to Russia’s neighbours, especially given the enormous difference in size and military might of  the two countries involved and the neighbour (Lithuania) next to whose border the exercises are taking place? Speaking of signals, the word “cooperation” hardly comes into mind. 

The recurrence of “uncooperative” examples such as discrimination against Lithuanian truckers by Russian officials, restrictions on exports of dairy products to Russia, a defiance of the neighbouring countries’ views on the construction of Nordstream pipeline and lack of sincere and open discussions on the facts of history indicate that cooperation with Russia in the Baltic Sea region is still subject to stumbling blocks and cannot yet be perceived as an example for the rest of the EU.

Given the above-mentioned realities and the objective factors of disparity between Russia and its Baltic neighbours in terms of military power, economic potential, political and value systems as well as global reach, one may ask whether genuine cooperation in the Baltic sea region comprising Russia is possible at all. And if yes, what needs to be done to achieve it?

I am convinced that cooperation in the Baltic Sea region with a full-fledged participation of Russia is both possible and desirable. Moreover, it is in the interests of each and every country of the region, including Russia, because on it depends our ability to make the Baltic Sea region an effective, attractive and competitive international actor, reaping the benefits of the processes of globalization and capable of withstanding regional and global challenges and threats.

However, it is difficult to imagine such a vision of the region being realized without the creation of a shared Baltic Sea region identity. Of course, the creation of identities is a long process which depends on many social, political, economic and cultural factors. A major factor is the human dimension.

To overcome psychological barriers, we must strengthen cross-border cooperation and human contacts at all levels, and to promote the free movement of people around the Baltic. I believe that time has come to offer better possibilities to our Eastern neighbors. That is, we need to go beyond visa facilitation for the Kaliningrad region and Belarus towards the creation of a visa-free regime, starting with Kaliningrad and moving towards a visa-free area around the Baltic.

The speed and scope of the implementation of this task will depend on both the EU and Russia.  

On the EU part, it is time to initiate and conduct an exhaustive discussion on the matter, establishing the necessary to-do lists as well as  requirements that would enable us to take such a major step forward in terms of the free movement of people in the entire Baltic region. In any case we need to speak with one voice. Our divergent opinions end up being an opportunity for Russia to play us against each other, and even if some of us may emerge as winners in terms of specific economic interests, we as a region end up being losers as our solidarity is dented and prospects for closer cooperation with Russia are diminished.

Solidarity and unity offer our individual nations extra confidence and strength in our relations with Russia, enabling us to cast aside existing stereotypes and by extension improve our outreach to the ordinary Russians.

As we explore the opportunities offered by the recent reset mode, Russia needs to show that it is ready and willing to talk to all neighbours, big and small- to talk to them, not over their heads. Also, we must see a clear commitment of Russia to uphold international law and act in accordance with it.

It is a truism to say that dialogue is a two-way street, but I’ll say it anyway. The fact is, on this two-way street, Russia does not always act according to established rules, as seen from the examples I quoted above.

Russia’s failures to observe the basic principles of international behaviour, especially in light of the traumatic lessons of history of the Baltic nations, cause suspicion and concern among the general public as well as politicians regarding Russia’s real intentions and the security implications for the entire region.

And yet, we need to talk, including about history. The immense sacrifice and role of the Russian nation in defending Europe from the scourge of fascism/Nazism is undeniable. But also undeniable is the enormous damage done by Stalinism and totalitarianism to all of us, including the Russian nation itself.

No matter how difficult, frustrating or painful the dialogue may be, in the longer run it 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 border passage by Lithuanian trucks and limitations imposed on dairy products. 

Another small but positive opening is the agreement on visa facilitation for residents of the Kaliningrad District to be signed later this year, and the recent agreement on free navigation in the Curonian lagoon, yet to be implemented.  

So how do we proceed from here? I suggest that we proceed by a measured and phased interaction with Russia, a gradual opening based on facts on the ground and tempered by due vigilance and consistency of our positions.

It should be closely related with the negotiations on the so-called post-PCA agreement, which could lay a background framework for the full range of co-operation areas between the EU and Russia.

Possibilities and instruments for closer cooperation do exist, and it is up to all of us to make best use of them. As the current Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, Lithuania is determined to promote regional cooperation processes in the Baltic area as well as in the broader EU-Russia context.

Thank you.