Tallinn, 24 October 2014
Speakers of Parliaments,
President of the Baltic Assembly,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Photo by Olga Posaškova, the Seimas Office
The 20-year-old Baltic Assembly is not only an organisation with a long history but also an initiator and developer of politically significant activities. More than a quarter of a century ago, we joined our efforts for the sake of restoration of our independences; today we, the Baltic States, are united by the aim to build a safe and secure future for our citizens. Therefore, today we have to discuss not only (and not as much) the historical and geographical ties between our countries but also the future prospects and challenges.
Let me speak frankly and openly: the current geopolitical developments are definitely not comforting. We, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, both individually and as a region face a cold political and economic wind blowing from the East. Having chosen the path of European integration, Ukraine, which I have congratulated on the signing of the Association Agreement during my recent visit to Kiev, is coping with security challenges and threats to its territorial integrity. Our common goal and wish is for the bloodshed in Ukraine to cease and for the aggressor to be stopped. Since Russia takes no concrete action to resolve the conflict in line with the cease-fire agreement signed in Minsk, the EU sanctions remain in place. While seeking a peaceful conflict resolution, we must provide all the necessary support to Ukraine, including humanitarian, technical and financial aid, and encourage it to carry out the necessary reforms. We, the Baltic States, are ready to share our experience not only with Ukraine but also with other Eastern Partnership countries. Allow me to express my appreciation of the Eastern Partnership being one of the priorities of the upcoming Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. By demonstrating our understanding and support to these countries, we can strengthen the security and stability of the whole region.
Secure society, which is one of the priorities of the Baltic Assembly for 2014 and one of the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Baltic Assembly, is not possible without a clear defence policy, strong military cooperation between the Baltic States, and defence budgets increased to that end. The three of us must be strong individually while at the same time be strong in unity. Lithuania is consistently implementing the Accord between the political parties represented in the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania on strategic guidelines for the foreign, security and defence policy of the Republic of Lithuania for 20142020 signed in March 2014. The defence budget has already been increased this year and we plan to further increase it next year. We have already started forming our rapid response forces, and we host NATO exercises in our country. I am happy that in the face of threat, our citizens demonstrate support for and understanding of security and defence issues. The key state authorities of the Republic of Lithuania, namely the Seimas, the President and the Government, are also united in their efforts to attain these goals.
This year, on 27 October, the port of Klaipėda will welcome the FSRU vessel symbolically named Independence. The liquefied natural gas terminal in Klaipėda gives real prospects for not only Lithuania but also for the whole region to secure alternative gas import possibilities and, at the same time, energy independence from Russia. Once we assess the current geopolitical developments, we have to realise that we have to implement other crucial regional projects as soon as possible. We have to establish a common energy market of the region, continue developing joint electricity grids and integrate the gas market of the Baltic States into the EU system.
I believe we will hardly find anyone in this hall having doubts about the necessity to develop transport infrastructures, especially the need to implement the Rail Baltica project. I hope we will also receive support for this project from our closest neighbours, i.e. Poland and Finland. As of 1 January 2015, Lithuania will join the Eurozone, which will guarantee the economic security and financial stability of the country and will open better possibilities for the development of trade and financial relations with other members of the Eurozone. The Baltic region is an open, dynamic, competitive and innovative partner for other countries.
Colleagues,
Twenty-five years ago, the human chain connected our three nations in the Baltic Way, demonstrating our power and our determination to be independent and united. Our strength lies in our unity. Our common political path in the European Union offers new opportunities for us. Let us seize them.
Thank you.
