Cooperation, Energy, EU – Baltic States, Lithuania

Valdas Adamkus in Helsinki.

The president underlined the importance of this state visit in Finland at this period of difficult challenges and important decisions. The Nordic countries were our first supporters since we regained independence, the president said, and Baltic and Nordic cooperation has always been among the top priorities of our foreign policy. We belong to the Nordic-Baltic family and we could address many of the today's challenges together.

According to the president, Lithuania which takes over presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States this coming July will prioritise innovations, improvement of competitiveness of the region, cross-border cooperation, and environmental protection. The president expressed hope the European Union's Baltic Sea strategy to be approved this coming autumn would become another important instrument for the EU Member States to take care of the future of the Baltic Sea region together.

According to President Adamkus, interconnection of energy markets is one of the most important issues of Nordic-Baltic cooperation. The connection of markets is a long-term process, but today physical connections are of no less importance.

"We hope the European Commission's initiative to prepare a Baltic energy market connection plan and the financial resources to be made available will contribute to a faster implementation of the Baltic-Swedish electricity interconnection SwedLit which will enable trading between Baltic and Nordic electricity markets (NordPool)," Mr. Adamkus said.

The president of Lithuania underlined that the current economic challenges made the situation in the Eastern neighbourhood more intense, and Lithuania and Finland must demonstrate solidarity with their Eastern neighbours.

The president mentioned that Lithuanian general and academic society was concerned about possible environmental impacts of the Nord Stream gas pipeline. At present, public debates on the assessment report are ongoing in Lithuania.

President Adamkus underlined that Lithuania wanted Finland to share its experience of presidency of the EU and the OSCE as Lithuania was preparing for presidency in these organisations.

Mr. Adamkus was interested in the opinion of Finland which held OSCE presidency during the Russian-Georgian war, about the actual implementation of the agreements reached. Lithuania has some experience of practical cooperation with Russia, the President of Lithuania said, and Lithuania and Finland should consult each other more closely in the field of relations with Russia and to exchange experience.

Talking about the recent visit by Russia's President to Finland, President Adamkus underlined that in talking with Russia, Finland with its higher sense of responsibility should take note of the interests of the Baltic countries and the issues important to the whole region.

The president also asked Finland to support the candidature of Ms. Marciulionyte at UNESCO nominated by the three Baltic countries, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, together.

The heads of states also talked about the exceptional year of 2009 for Lithuania, which celebrates the millennium of the first mention of its name in written sources and Vilnius is the European Capital of Culture.