What are your policy priorities

The priority which holds our main attention is economic and social stability, establishment of democratic principles and good relations with foreign countries.

Our long-term priorities are set by principles. One of the key priorities that will require our constant attention concern problems that have accumulated in the energy sector, and which determine the functioning of the entire economy.These problems are:

• how to use energy resources in a more rational way;
• how to improve the payment system between energy consumers and suppliers;
• how to review energy tariffs.

• oil;
• natural gas;
• coal;
• nuclear fuel.

Lithuania has been less successful in attracting foreign investment than Latvia and Estonia. Why?

It is difficult to evaluate the level of foreign investment in the Baltic states. Each state applies different evaluation methods and the presented data does not always reflect the real situation. The situation in Estonia, which maintains broad economic co-operation with Finland, is perhaps better than in the other two republics. If we lag behind it is because of the shortcomings of the privatisation process and the mistakes made in creating a favourable economic climate for joint and foreign capital ventures.

During the first stage of privatisation Lithuania applied a system of investment vouchers and privileges to the employees of enterprises and not to foreign investors. As a result, privatisation was rather fast, albeit with only modest foreign participation. Meanwhile, Estonia and Latvia aimed at selling their enterprises for a real price and did not forget foreigners' interests. Consequently, they succeeded in attracting investment. Today it is also obvious that we should make an effort to inform foreign entrepreneurs about the existing opportunities for investing funds into Lithuania's economy on mutually beneficial terms. Therefore, we are trying to provide more information to our potential foreign partners.

What are the Government's plans to boost levels of foreign investment?

We understand only too well that without foreign capital, new technology and foreign intellectual assistance, we shall not be able to re-structure our economy and successfully integrate into the European Union (EU). We are carrying out a broad range of projects in this area. First, we are trying to introduce fundamental changes within the economic environment, to make it more attractive to foreign investors. Much effort is being put into the preparation of legislation to conform with EU requirements. The activity of the Lithuanian Investment Agency is gaining speed. Its main tasks are to expand relations between Lithuanian and foreign entrepreneurs and to mediate in preparing economic agreements. We devote more attention to publishing material to acquaint foreign business people with the business environment in Lithuania. While creating an open market economy, our main task is to re-structure our production capacity to ensure the competitiveness of our products and services, lift living standards and ensure the protection of human rights.

Along with other Baltic states, Lithuania is looking to increase trade links with the EU. How successful have these moves been? What does Lithuania have to offer EU countries as a trading partner?

In 1991, before the restoration of independence in the Baltic states, all three were integrated into the Soviet Union; there was practically no foreign trade at all. A marked contraction and even collapse of the traditional eastern markets forced the Baltic states, including Lithuania, to take resolute steps to:

• re-direct their trade towards the West;
• adopt Western know how;
• create products that could be sold to the West.

Due to constant efforts to re-direct its foreign trade from eastern to western markets, in 1994, for the first time, Lithuania exported more to the West than to the East (53.3 and 46.7 per cent, respectively). Trade with EU countries has almost doubled since 1993, largely as a result of the free trade agreement between Lithuania and the EU, which came into force on 1 January 1995.

Relations with Russia are a key foreign policy issue. To what extent does the issue of the Kaliningrad enclave hamper the development of better relations?

Relations with Russia are one of the priorities of our foreign policy. Integration into the West should be accompanied by good relations with our neighbours. Lithuania seeks to maintain friendly relations with all its neighbours. It is especially important to us that Lithuania and Russia succeed in sorting out a number of difficult issues. Relations between our two states are business-like and constructive. Despite tragic historical events, there are no clearly expressed anti-Russian tendencies in our society.

The Kaliningrad region has played an especially significant role in Russian/Lithuanian relations. This region - our immediate neighbour - is an important economic and trade partner. New forms of co-operation have evolved in the spheres of culture, science and education. Direct relations between people, cultural and arts figures and entrepreneurs have always been and should remain a sound foundation for relations between Lithuania and the Kaliningrad region.

We could prepare and implement a number of joint projects in different spheres:

• transport;
• tourism;
• communications;
• environmental protection.

Under the Treaty on the Basis for Relations between States, Lithuania and Russia have recognised one another's territorial integrity. Lithuania does not raise the question of the independence of the Kaliningrad region. The ideas harboured by individual Lithuanian politicians concerning the revision of the status of the Kaliningrad region are personal opinions and have nothing to do with Lithuania's official position. I believe that all people are interested in rapid social and economic development of the region, its openess to new ideas, initiatives and co-operation among neighbours. The active participation of the region in economic co-operation, favourable conditions for investment and business activity, modern communications and political stability, fully correspond with Lithuania's interest. We all wish Kaliningrad to become a zone of active international entrepreneurship. We hold regular meetings with the authorities of the Kaliningrad region at which we try to find solutions to emerging problems, as well as increasing mutual confidence. We would like to see the Kaliningrad region become an integrating force in the Baltic Sea region, not a centre of tension. I believe that this is exactly what is meant by those who speak about the necessity to ensure de-militarisation and confidence building measures.

Does the political situation in Russia concern you?

Lithuania supports good democratic reform in Russia. However, the elections should not affect the interstate relations, which I can describe as stable and good. During the last five years Russia has learnt lessons of democracy, resulting in irreversible changes. This gives hope with regard to its future foreign policy direction.

It is understandable that the presidential elections is a very important geopolitical factor, stirring up great interest in Lithuania. Lithuania will always respect the choice of the Russian people and preserve good relations with this country based on mutual benefit. Lithuania, like the western states, does not want to isolate Russia. We strive for co-operation and try to forge relations with Russia by including it in all European processes. This is how we visualise the future of our relations against the backdrop of building a stable secure and prosperous Europe.

Where do you see Lithuania at the turn of the century?

Lithuania's independence on 11 March 1991 returned the country to the world community of democratic states. It became a member of the United Nations (UN) and was accepted into the Council of Europe by a unanimous vote. In their efforts to create the institutions of a free and democratic state, our people and all political parties and movements seek to transform the formerly centralised economy into a free and modern market economy.

We believe that, at the turn of the century, all the principles of a democratic state will be firmly established, with a reviving industry, agriculture and a developing economy. All this will facilitate integration into the political and economic life of Europe. During the last four years of this century, we hope that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow by at least 17 per cent and the private sector by at least 70 per cent of the total economy.

We are convinced that during the latter years of this century we shall make considerable progress towards harmonising Lithuania's legislation with that of the EU. Having exploited the opportunities of the six year transition period, we shall be ready to join the Union.