The President underlined during the discussion that the Baltic Sea was a unique marine ecosystem with very few species of flora and fauna compared to other seas in the world due to its specific ecological conditions, but that these populations of fish and other organisms were genetically unique.

According to the President, the Baltic Sea which is assigned to the most vulnerable seas of the world may be irrevocably damaged by major industrial projects.

"What we need is a dialogue that would be in compliance with the basic EU principles: transparency, solidarity, efficiency and, what is most important, stringent environmental requirements established not only in the Espoo Convention, but also in the European Union directives which have laid down the foundation for creating the Natura 2000 network of protected areas," the President said referring to energy dialogue between the EU and Russia.

President Adamkus said public evaluations of the environmental impact assessment report submitted by Nord Stream were still ongoing in Lithuania.

The President underlined that Lithuanian scientists and the public at large were greatly concerned about huge concentrations of contaminants in the Nord Stream pipeline route, also about gas pipeline building works which would definitely cause a re-suspension of bottom sediments and release tremendous amounts of hazardous carcinogenic compounds which would spread much wider than indicated in the pipeline construction report.

Unfortunately, the President said, the Nord Stream project has already de facto divided the Baltic Sea Rim countries.

The President said that not only some of the Baltic Governments must speak out. "It is also greatly important that non-governmental organizations, scientists, international organizations, such as HELCOM, become engaged in the process, making a transparent, critical and responsible assessment of all consequences," Mr. Adamkus said.

The President recalled the proposal recently voiced by the President of Latvia to build the Nord Stream pipeline on land.

The President underlined this gave room for hope that the Baltic Sea countries would show unity in fighting the environmentally hazardous pipeline route. According to Mr. Adamkus, Lithuania has always proposed to discuss alternative on-land projects such as the Amber pipeline, which would be less dangerous and which would offer more solidarity.

"We are ready to pursue the path of European dialogue. I believe that we can find the solutions that we need: either alternative energy resources which are ever more popular in Europe or alternative gas and oil pipeline routes," the President of Lithuania said.