Cooperation, Energy, EU – Baltic States, Lithuania

Olafur Ragnar Grimsson and Dalia Grybauskaite. Reykjavik, 25.06.2011. Photo: president.lt

According to her now that Lithuania has implemented its political goals – successfully joined the EU and NATO – and in the context of increasing regionalization in Europe, intensive Nordic-Baltic cooperation is one of the key priorities of our foreign policy.

"Twenty years ago, Iceland's solidarity was very important for Lithuania. Iceland was the first country to recognize the restored state of Lithuania – this was a very brave step back then. It encouraged other states of the world to recognize our country, too. I thank the Icelandic nation for the courage and support extended to us then and uniting the Nordic and Baltic countries until today. Close and intensive Nordic-Baltic interrelations in pursuing efficiently our common interests and using for this purpose regional, European and global cooperation formats will enhance competitiveness of this region and ensure its successful development," the president said.

Iceland's president underlined there were no five Nordic and three Baltic countries anymore but instead there was a family of eight countries. According to him, cooperation among these eight countries is unique in Europe and the world.

According to Grybauskaite if the people of Iceland agreed in a referendum to membership in the EU, the voice of the Baltic-Nordic region would become stronger in Europe when it came to defending common interests.

The Icelandic President said Lithuania's euro-integration experience could be very much useful for his country.

The heads of state also talked about bilateral relations, renewable energy, cooperation in culture, NATO issues of the day, and the economic crisis that the two countries have successfully overcome. As part of the state visit to Iceland, the president will also meet with Iceland's Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir and Speaker Asta R. Johannesdottir, the academic community of the University of Bifrost, and Lithuanians living in Iceland. Grybauskaite will also open an exhibition of paintings by M. K. Ciurlionis and a concert by pianist Muza Rubackyte, visit two geothermal power plants, one of which, the Hellisheidi Geothermal Plant, is the second largest power plant of this type in the world.