Press release, 9 November 2012

On 9 November 2012, the Seimas hosted the 31^st session of the Baltic Assembly and the 18^th Baltic Council where current issues and challenges of cooperation between the Baltic States were discussed. The events focused on the optimisation and defence of the Baltic States’ interests in the EU, especially in view of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which is drawing close.

Lithuania will be the first among the Baltic States to hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This task awaits Lithuania in the second half of 2013 while the Latvian Presidency is due in the first half of 2015 and the Estonian Presidency – in the first half of 2018.

In the 18^th Baltic Council, Audronius Ažubalis, Chairman of the Cooperation Council of the Baltic Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, highlighted that Lithuania will put every effort to take account of common Baltic interests while holding the Presidency of the Council. “For the Baltic region, as well as for the entire EU, we will try to ensure a reliable and safe supply of energy resources, create an internal market that promotes competition and build energy and transport links. We would also like to see our eastern neighbours fostering European values and coming closer to the EU. By seeking for a more effective implementation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, we will constantly underline the importance of clean and more integrated Baltic Sea Region during the Presidency. We will try to encourage discussions on the EU level on efficient protection of EU external borders, including the economic aspects it entails (i.e. closer cooperation between border and customs authorities). These are key priority areas which the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuanian has approved. The unity and support of the Baltic States and other countries of the region are crucial in the implementation of these interests,” the Foreign Minister said.

In the BA session, the President of the Baltic Assembly, Paulius Saudargas underlined that “it is a huge challenge for every small country to hold a successful Presidency. Even if today’s priorities are set by the EU Presidency Trio, regional coordination can be instrumental.”

During the BA session, a speech titled What is wrong with Europe? - And by the way: Why don’t you fix it? was made by Jón Baldvin Hannibalsson, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iceland. It was at his initiative that Iceland became the first country to have recognised the independence of Lithuania in 1991.

According to Hannibalsson, despite deficiencies in the financial system, European integration has been a unique experiment in international cooperation, solving conflicts between nation states on the basis of the rule of law and peaceful negotiations. Therefore, the politician believes that the recent award of the Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union was well deserved. Hannibalsson says that so far the European project has been a great success and can be considered as a huge achievement not only in Europe but in the world too. Besides, it has been a powerful instrument to help the less advanced nations of Europe to catch up with the more advanced. It can set a great example to the rest of the world.

In his speech titled EU Presidencies from the Perspective of the Nordic Regional Cooperation: Case of Finland, Kimmo Sasi, President of the Nordic Council, shared the Finnish experience on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and offered recommendations as to how to make the Presidency more effective. Sasi claimed that small countries usually do great during their presidencies; however, it is of key importance for the Baltic States not to work alone and cooperate with their neighbours, including the Nordic countries.

The President of the Nordic Council also said that it is necessary to hold joint meetings of the Nordic Council and the Baltic Assembly and discuss the goals and areas of cooperation. “I look forward to your Presidency of the Council of the European Union and I am certain it will be successful. The Nordic Council hopes it will be able to help you,” the President asserted.

An overview of the forthcoming Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union was presented by Remigijus Motuzas, Director of the Department of the European Union Council Presidency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania. Motuzas informed about the goals and tasks of the forthcoming Lithuanian Presidency of the Council, discussed the coordination of the preparatory work and the responsibilities of institutions. He also named the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council, which included energy security, the Baltic Sea Region Strategy, Eastern Partnership and strengthening of EU external borders.

When speaking about the benefit Lithuania will derive from its Presidency of the Council, the speaker identified more effective civil service, stronger European identity among Lithuanian citizens, stimulation of tourist inflows, investments, export and shaping of an attractive image of Lithuania. Motuzas also stressed the importance of cooperation with society, social partners and non-governmental organisations.

Marc Hendrickx, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Benelux Parliament, presented the Presidency of the EU Council from the perspective of the Benelux regional cooperation. The Chairman shared the experience of the Benelux countries in conciliation of international interests during the Presidency of the Council and discussed the cooperation of the Benelux countries during the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2010.

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