Meeting of Baltic and Visegrad Heads of Government in Warsaw

 

The Lithuanian Prime Minister participated in the meeting of the heads of Governments of Visegrad Four and Baltic States – Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – in Warsaw.

Gediminas Kirkilas declared that the very meeting was also important because of the fact that all countries had common challenges and therefore needed to find joint solutions and show solidarity in addressing those topical issues.

The Prime Ministers shared their views on the national positions concerning the climate change and energy package. G. Kirkilas emphasized that it was likely that the closedown of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant would result in increases in carbon dioxide emissions in Lithuania and would contribute to additional challenges to national economy.

Prime Ministers also talked about the international finance crises and the impact it had on their economies. According to the Lithuanian Prime Minister, the initiatives of individual EU member states should not weaken the general EU role. In this context, Lithuania welcomes the plan to set up the so-called EU financial crisis cell.

Another item on the agenda was EU Eastern neighbourhood policy. According to the Prime Minister, Lithuania supports European Council’s instruction regarding the Communication on Eastern partnership to be submitted by the European Commission in November, thus bringing cooperation between the EU and its Eastern neighbours to a new level. According to Gediminas Kirkilas, Belarus called for more attention. It is important to immediately start the EU-Belarus dialogue regarding visa fee reduction, thus contributing to the development of civic society and democracy.

The meeting also discussed Russia-Russia relations which could be brought back to normal provided Russia fulfils its obligations regarding withdrawal from Georgia. Until now Russia has but partly fulfilled the provisions of the September 8 Agreement. Gediminas Kirkilas believes that the review of EU-Russia relations currently done by EU institutions should take into account the current status of EU-Russia relations and provide their political evaluation along with proposals for further cooperation prospects.

“The renewal of our negotiations with Russia now would mean our complacency as regards the events in Georgia following September 8”, - said Gediminas Kirkilas.

With regard to energy, Kirkilas said that Lithuania seeks energy sector integration into the EU energy market by way of implementation of energy projects. Energy security and economic competitiveness are of key importance to Lithuania; therefore it expects major decisions at the European Council Summit in December.

The Prime Minister underlined that we should move towards the creation of the common Baltic energy market, and Lithuania is ready to start the construction of the SwedLit power link. According to Kirkilas, power link to Poland is an important step for the Baltic States with a view to join UCTE.
The meeting also discussed cooperation in the field of transport and the throughput improvement of the EU’s external border. Kirkilas has invited the Baltic and Visegrad States to take an active part in the Europe-Asia Transport Development Forum, which is planned to be held in Vilnius next year.