Lithuanian President Valdas ADAMKUS: "Cooperation with Ukraine offers a number of unexplored opportunities"

Q: Vytautas Landsbergis said that Ukraine and Lithuania would never face problems capable of terminating their cooperation, just as they had never faced any such problems in the past. Do you think that the Vilnius-Kyiv relationship lacks the momentum both sides desire, despite this optimistic statement? Which of the spheres of possible further cooperation would you identify as the most promising one?

A.: I am sure that there are excellent prospects for furthering relations between Lithuania and Ukraine - and these relationships have always been very good. I also think that both countries have countless opportunities still to be explored and implemented. I am personally convinced that we must focus on economic cooperation in the first place, for here we have good examples of joint ventures operating very effectively, registering an increasing commodity turnover. We should consider ways to surmount existing barriers in our bilateral trade. We are firmly resolved to uphold Lithuanian-Ukrainian cultural exchanges which currently lack sufficient energy.

Q: Your campaign motto was "Free People, Open Society, Strong Nation." How much have you been able to implement it over less than a year in office?

A: Now you can talk to any Lithuanian on any subject. No one will keep silent out of fear of official retribution. Our people enjoy taking part in public life. They really enjoy their democracy, in the truest sense of the word. And the extent to which our society is interested in the democratic process is evidenced by the Lithuanian press. It has turned into the true mouthpiece of society. You won't find a better and more open approach than that adopted by the Lithuanian press. The latter communicates with the nation freely, without the slightest restrictions imposed from on high. This is how a strong nation is built. Personally, I don't see the slightest difference between any of the world's established democracies and what we have in Lithuania

Q: Chances are that Lithuania will be the first among the Baltic states to be offered admission to NATO. How is your country, particularly its armed forces, prepared for this? Are there any forces in Lithuania likely to show a negative attitude to NATO's expansion in Europe generally and to Lithuanian membership in particular?

A: Polls carried out this year show that the Lithuanian people consider NATO expansion a major factor promoting Lithuanian national security. 55% approve of Polish, Czech, and Hungarian NATO membership. That of Lithuania is supported by 57%. In my opinion, these statistics are eloquent proof of the country's positive attitude toward the alliance.

Q: What do you think of the Lithuanian-Russian relationship? Will the Russian crisis have a negative effect on the Lithuanian economy?

A: Lithuanian-Russian relations are definitely marked by partnership and pragmatism. A fresh impetus was provided by the national frontier delimitation agreement, obviously the most important event of the past several years. We are planning to sign a number of important economic accords facilitating capital investment programs and avoiding double taxation.

The Russian crisis has influenced the Lithuanian economy, but without serious consequences. This year we expect a GDP increment of around 5%-5.5%. Lithuania's fiscal system remains stable, with the currency and gold reserves 80% more than absolutely necessary for securing the convertibility of our national currency.