Lithuania joined the European Union and NATO in 2004. Why are Lithuanians still great fans of the EU? What are some of the benefits of membership? Why did the Lithuanian government recently establish a commission on image? These and other questions are discussed in The Day ’s exclusive interview with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Lithuania to Ukraine Algirdas KUMZHA.
PAYMENTS AND BENEFITS FROM JOINING THE EU
Trade union protests against price increases took place recently in Vilnius. Can this be considered as a sort of payment for joining the EU?
“Despite the record rate of economic growth of 9 percent and salary increases of about 20 percent a year, inflation is also on the rise in Lithuania. In previous years inflation remained at between three and four percent, but this year it may reach six or seven. Prices for energy carriers are rising as well, and this leads to rising prices for transportation, grain, and bread. This is a very serious signal for us because prices for food and services are matching the inflation rate. This is a very painful phenomenon for many families. Therefore, trade unions invited people to take part in a preventive action. It was not a large protest, though: fewer than 1,000 people took part.
“A sharp climb in oil and gas prices is a difficult test for any government. Our politicians are seriously considering energy alternatives as well as compensation for underprivileged families during the period of price increases.
“Already in the 1990s Mikhail Gorbachev was scaring us away from independence and Europe, saying that we would freeze to death and move a hundred years backwards without the Soviet Union. Nothing of the kind has ever happened. So if Lithuania is paying for something today it is only for wasted time, for not having fully joined the EU single energy system to this day.”
What benefits did Lithuanian citizens receive from joining the EU in 2004?
“Visitors to Lithuania are amazed by the state of our infrastructure, the building boom, and quality of services. That is probably why even after three years Lithuanians are still some of the greatest fans of EU membership, which still enjoys the support of 60 to 65 percent of the population. This high level of support is proving that people are confirming their decision and don’t think they made a mistake. Young people, who now have an opportunity to travel, study, and work in other European countries, are indisputably the greatest enthusiasts. But people who work in agriculture are satisfied too. They were the ones who were most scared about entering the EU. At the time those who were against joining the EU relied on the peasants and said, ‘Agriculture will disappear and you will become hired laborers working for wealthy Europeans. They are buying our land and Lithuanian identity will be lost.’ Three years have gone by and during this period it is the farmers who have received the greatest benefits from joining the EU. The incomes of rural residents are rising much more rapidly than those of workers in other spheres of the economy. Agriculture is receiving the greatest aid from the European Union. Of course, the agrarian sector has to be reoriented. Collective farming, which was invented by the Soviet government, has disappeared, and we have reoriented it to ecologically-safe production and agricultural tourism. We must also seek other niches in the European market.”
“THE FEELING OF DANGER CANNOT BE EXPRESSED WITH THE HELP OF FIGURES”
You have said that Lithuanians are the greatest optimists with regard to the EU. What is their attitude to NATO?
“These topics are inseparable in our country. After independence was proclaimed, our entire foreign policy was based on two pillars: integration into NATO and the EU. NATO means security for our country, and the EU is a return to our native home, with a high level of wellbeing, common values, freedom of speech, and respect for human rights. We were building our foreign policy on these two pillars even in the most difficult moments of political debates. Before every election our main political parties sat down at a roundtable and signed a memorandum about not disputing these two postulates of our policy during the elections. This rule has always been efficient.”
Isn’t NATO a burden for your country these days? What is the Lithuanians’ attitude to sending their soldiers to take part in missions?
“It is exactly the opposite in the financial respect (our yearly contribution is less than one dollar for every resident of Lithuania), but the feeling of danger cannot be expressed by any figure. NATO is investing money in the development of our infrastructure, and this outstrips our contributions by several times. For example, the Alliance is investing 50 million euros in the development of an airport in the city of Siaoulai. Of course, there are discussions about Lithuanian troops taking part in international missions, which represent great dangers to the lives of our military men. We send a small number of soldiers to take part in various missions: at the moment 230 of our troops and civilian professionals are taking part in missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kosovo. We are aware of this responsibility. But we also understand that joining a common security system not only brings dividends, but also obliges us to make our own contribution to this system.”
ON IMAGE AND A SINGLE VOICE
Can you explain why the Lithuanian government decided to establish a commission on the country’s image? Does your country have problems with its international image?
“Eurointegration has improved our image. For example, I say to an investor: ‘We are members of the EU and NATO,’ and he immediately understands that we have a certain level in our economy, law, and jurisprudence. In general, we understand that stability, prosperity, and nature which is not being destroyed by industry, friendly people, good cuisine, good roads, and polite customs officers are the main things where image is concerned. We have all this, but along with that our government has resolved to unite all efforts in this direction. This will help us save time and money.”
Mr. Ambassador, you said in an interview that your country is concerned about the project to build the North European gas pipeline. You named the reason behind this concern: highly toxic and dangerous bombs are buried in the northern part of the Baltic Sea. Why is the EU, and particularly Germany, which is taking part in the construction of this pipeline, not listening to the concerns of your country and your neighbors, Latvia and Estonia?
“Our president, Valdus Adamkus, who worked for many years in the environmental protection sphere in the US, where he oversaw the purity of lakes, forests, and air, was the first to show his concern. As an eminent expert, he fully understands the harm that may be done by global projects that are carried out without broad public awareness and detailed studies. Lithuania states on all levels that first of all, we are worried about the future of the Baltic Sea, which is part of our spiritual and material wellbeing. The Lithuanian coast is not very long, it extends for 99 kilometers, and we are taught to protect it. On the other hand, we think that Europe should speak in a single voice on energy questions. This should be done by both large and small countries.”
How can small countries influence Brussels’s policy on all-European questions, particularly energy questions?
“The EU is organized according to democratic principles. Each country there has as much of a role as it is granted by the general law, but much depends on one’s activeness and the importance of a given topic. If a topic is a serious one and announced in a timely fashion, and if we find supporters among our partners, then Lithuania’s voice is strengthened. For example, we find good mutual understanding on questions of energy bridges and the new Ignalina nuclear reactor.”
Why do the old EU countries not support the idea of creating an Energy NATO, as proposed by Warsaw, even though the general secretary of NATO supports this position?
“Serious topics need more time. We will constantly return to this topic, and it will remain on the agenda in the next decades. Lithuania actively supports the unity of European countries on energy questions. Today Lithuania remains an energy island on the outskirts of Europe. Even though we have been independent for 17 years, we are still not linked with Europe via an electrical or other energy bridge. We can’t lose any more time; therefore we are conducting vigorous negotiations in Brussels, Stockholm, and other European capitals.”
Mr. Ambassador, how do you assess the activity of the parties that are interested in completing the construction of the Odesa-Brody-Plock oil pipeline?
“Many experts blame all of us for making no headway for a long time. But the recent energy summit in Vilnius is a ray of light at the end of the tunnel, where after so many years of discussions and pessimism, a little step forward was made: five countries signed a resolution to create the Sarmatia Pipeline Company to conduct research on whether it is rational to continue the construction of the Odesa-Brody-Plock pipeline. I am sure that if the results of the study are positive, it will be possible to appeal to the European Commission with a proposal to take part in this project. Lithuania has a vital interest in this project. We have the powerful Mazeikiu Nafta Company, which can process over 10 million tons of oil a year. After Russia stopped supplying our country with oil through the Druzhba Pipeline a year ago, this project has become more vital.”
EUROPEAN PROSPECTS AND JEEPS ON THE SIDEWALK
To continue the European theme, how does Vilnius see “filling the European Neighborhood Policy with concrete content,” especially concerning Ukraine? Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekunas recently made such an appeal.
“Our minister has always urged his colleagues to cooperate closely with Ukraine. For example, when the question of a mandate for negotiations about the new agreement between Brussels and Kyiv was under discussion, Lithuania and Sweden said that it was time to write in this document about a well-grounded demand for Ukraine’s European prospects. We are not saying when, at what pace, and according to which algorithm this can be realized. Ukraine is a European country. Therefore we have to define in our official documents that Europe’s doors are open.”
Great Britain supports the prospects of Ukraine’s EU membership. Since Nicolas Sarkozy has come to power, relations between Paris and Kyiv have grown warmer. Who else in the EU has to be convinced so that statements about membership prospects are included in the new enhanced agreement between Ukraine and the EU?
“Ukraine has many friends, and it seems that the number of convinced people is growing by the day. When Ukraine approves a good law that meets EU standards, this convinces everyone. When Ukraine improves conditions for foreign investors, this is convincing. When things in the customs sphere improve, this is also convincing. After jeeps stop driving along Kyiv’s sidewalks, the number of European friends will increase too.”
ON GENOCIDE AND SYMBOLS OF SOCIALISM
Ukraine recently marked the Day of the Holodomor, which was recognized as genocide by the Verkhovna Rada last year. The Lithuanian parliament was one of the first countries to recognize the Holodomor as genocide and adopted a corresponding resolution. Why is Russia unwilling to recognize the Holodomor as genocide, and why has not it been recognized by the UN yet?
“I am glad that Lithuania recognized the Holodomor as genocide. Why were we one of the first countries to do so? Because the Lithuanian people also suffered greatly from merciless totalitarian regimes. I look with bitterness at the lack of understanding of one of the greatest tragedies that ever happened on the territory of Europe. This was not a tragedy created by natural disasters: a tsunami, hurricane, or earthquake, but one that was created by man against man. The Holodomor was a deliberate and very well planned action against the Ukrainian nation. More and more proof of this is found each year, and more and more politicians are becoming aware of this both in Ukraine and the whole world.”
Mr. Ambassador, do you think it was justified to implement criminal responsibility for Holodomor denial, as this has been done in many countries concerning the Holocaust?
“The Lithuanian Criminal Code contains Article 99 on genocide: this is a very strict article that envisages prison sentences from 5 to 12 years or life imprisonment (the death penalty has been abolished in Lithuania). Recently, a group of Lithuanian MPs drafted a law envisaging responsibility for the aggression of the USSR and Nazi Germany committed against the Lithuanian Republic and the genocide that was committed by the occupational regimes, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other grave crimes, as well as justification and denial of these crimes. At the moment this document is under judiciary examination, and it is scheduled for consideration during the next session. It is too early to say how our parliamentarians will assess this draft law.
“Earlier, the same MPs drafted a law banning the symbols of Nazism and Socialism, but it did not receive a sufficient number of votes.”
Why?
“Because many MPs believe that this kind of law is not urgent in Lithuania. We have nearly 40 registered parties, and none of them came to register with these kinds of symbols and ideology. This ideology is not being implemented by any of our parties. You will not find any monument to Lenin or the hammer and sickle on any building. Therefore this question has been postponed.”
Mr. Ambassador, you mentioned the deportations and genocide against the Lithuanian people. I remember Vytautas Landsbergis, when he was the speaker of the Lithuanian parliament, raising the question of compensation that Russia should pay to the Lithuanians who were deported by the Soviet regime. Why has there been no movement on this question or on the issue of condemning the totalitarian communist regime?
“Landsbergis and President Boris Yeltsin signed an agreement on the grounds of interstate relations, which recognized the fact of Lithuania’s annexation. In 2000, our country approved the law on reimbursement of losses inflicted by the Soviet occupation. The law is signed by Prof. Landsbergis, who was the head of parliament at the time. In implementing this law, our official diplomacy is trying to tackle this complex problem without ultimatums, only via negotiations. Unfortunately, the other side is not coming to the negotiations.”
What needs to be done so that Russia will hear? Ukraine also had a similar problem after its lands were annexed and World War II ended. Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of Ukrainians were deported to Siberia. Perhaps our two countries should unite their efforts?
“You are right. Joint efforts are necessary in order to overcome the consequences of the totalitarian regimes.”
Then perhaps some Ukrainian politicians are correct in saying that the Stalinist totalitarian regime should be tried?
“The trial of Nazism was held immediately after World War II. We have had to wait for many decades for a trial of communism and its crimes. I can only remind you that thanks to the efforts of Lithuanian emigres, a committee was formed after the war, in 1953, in the US Congress to study the case of the occupation of the Baltic countries. If you read the materials of this committee, which were presented during the Congressional hearings, history becomes clearer and no doubts arise concerning the plot of Nazi Germany and the USSR against Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.”
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT CONSTRUCTION AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR UKRAINE
Let’s talk about Lithuanian-Ukrainian relations. There has been much talk lately about Lithuania purchasing electrical energy from Ukraine or taking part in the construction of a nuclear power plant. To what extent are these plans realistic? The leader of Lithuania’s minority government, Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas, could not comment on how your country is gearing up for the project to build a nuclear power plant.
“The facts are as follows: Lithuania should shut down the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in 2009, according to its agreement with the EU. And we have to start thinking today about how to overcome the lack of electrical power by 2015, when we will construct a new nuclear power reactor. Various projects exist to solve this problem: the construction of central heating and power plants and buying energy from Ukraine. The main project - to build a new modern and safe nuclear power reactor - is a completely realistic one, and much has been done to realize it. The three Baltic countries and Poland are taking part in the preparatory work.”
What about Ukrainian companies taking part in the construction of nuclear power stations?
“During his recent visit to Lithuania, President Yushchenko brought our president information on Ukraine’s potential in this sphere. I think this is an opportune step that will help our experts learn more about Ukraine’s possibilities in the sphere of nuclear power energy. We will talk about this in a more concrete way after the resolution on the construction of the new nuclear power plant is approved. Then, in accordance with European laws, a tender will be announced and the experts will choose the best option. Hypothetically, Ukraine has very good chances for taking part in the construction of the reactor, and I think these chances will increase if your nuclear power experts manage to cooperate with well-known European or American companies. In this case, it will become very realistic for Ukraine to be an important participant.”
MINORITY GOVERNMENTS, POLITICAL MATURITY, RESPONSIBILITY
Since you just mentioned that a minority government has been in power in your country for more than a year, I would like to ask: what impact does this factor have on Lithuania’s political stability and economic development?
“Our government will finish this year with record economic growth: over nine percent. This is the best index in the entire European Union. As you can see, the fact that this is a majority or minority government does not have any impact on the economy. The main thing is that it should work in a stable way. The current government has been working for 18 months. This is proof of the political maturity of democracy, society, and our politicians. I don’t think this maturity only came from the experience of 17 years of democracy. The two interwar decades, when Lithuania was independent and had its own parliamentary system, also helped.
“I have been watching the Lithuanian political arena for many years and I have taken part in it too. I have my own explanation for the success of the minority government. Many things lie behind the personality of Kirkilas and his excellent negotiating abilities. This is a person with a gift for communicating, and he does not tire of communicating. He is able to listen and after having listened, he knows how to unite the most diverse interests. Thanks to his ability to unite people and negotiate with all the parliamentary parties and their leaders, nobody has managed to weaken his government. The opposition knows that the prime minister will always listen to it and heed its opinion.”
Do you see any threat to the political stability of Ukraine or the risk of a split in the country from the creation of a coalition that has an insignificant majority of 228 votes in the Verkhovna Rada?
“Obviously, a coalition that has a two- or three-vote advantage is very weak. But the key thing is not the power of advantage. We just talked about the fact that for the last 18 months our country has had a government without a majority. The main things in politics are the rules of the game and the ability to reach understanding. The opposition must recognize that the country’s instability is harmful to both the government and the opposition.
“When there is responsibility and understanding, no drama will take place even with a two-vote advantage. If there is no responsibility, we will always be observing blackmail that will destroy the common home.”
