Lithuanian President Valdas Adamikus visited Ukraine last week. How does
this 72-year-old politician, with the best part of his mature years spent
in the United States, view the prospects of Lithuanian-Ukrainian relations?
What does he think of today's Lithuanian Republic and its place among the
democratic European states? These and other questions were posed the Lithuanian
leader in an exclusive interview with The Day.
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.







