The first Seimas Delegation to the Baltic Assembly (BA) was set up right after the establishment of the BA in November 1991. The Delegation was first headed by Aurimas Taurantas (1992) and subsequently by Egidijus Bičkauskas (1993–1996 and 1998), Mečys Laurinkus (1997–1998), Laima Andrikienė (1999–2000), Audrius Klišonis (2000–2001), Giedrė Purvaneckienė (2001–2003 and 2013–2016), Valerijus Simulik (2004–2007), Mantas Adomėnas (2008–2009), and Paulius Saudargas (2010–2012).

The agenda of the Seimas delegations to the Baltic Assembly is very busy and includes annual sessions, which require a particularly high level of preparation as they adopt key documents, shape policies and set the deliverables; annual meetings of the BA Presidium with the Speakers of Parliaments of the Baltic States and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the presiding country; and regular meetings of the BA standing committees (from 10 to 15 per year).

The Seimas delegations also take part in, among others, the Trilateral Conference of the Baltic Assembly, the Benelux Parliament and the Nordic Council, meetings of the Baltic Assembly and the Nordic Council, the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, and various events held by international organisations where the BA plays a major role.

The main goal of all BA activities is to address the most pressing issues for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in the fields of security, economy, culture, science, education, health, etc. This is done in cooperation with governmental representatives and experts of various fields and in accordance with the principles of rationality, mutual benefit and unity. It is worthwhile mentioning that, in addition to a number of other achievements, the BA has made the most significant contribution to the implementation of the Via Baltica and Rail Baltica projects.

Funding. The activities of the Baltic Assembly are funded from the contributions of its members. The annual budget of the BA consists of the membership fees of the three Baltic States. The expenses necessary for the operation of the BA are shared equally between the parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

37th Session of the Baltic Assembly. 26 October, 2018, Vilnius

Photo of the Seimas Office (author Olga Posaškova)

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On 8 December 2020, in accordance with Article 81(1) of the Statute, the Seimas formed 10 parliamentary delegations for the 2020–2024 legislative period, including the Seimas Delegation to the Baltic Assembly, which comprises 14 members. The Seimas approved Andrius Kupčinskas as Head and Jonas Liniauskas as Deputy Head of the Delegation.