| |
 | Speeches | | |
President of the Republic at the opening of the 24th Session of the Baltic Assembly at Toompea on 25 November 200525.11.2005
President of the Baltic Assembly,
Members of the Baltic Assembly,
Excellencies,
Dear friends,
It is a sincere pleasure to welcome you here today. There is nothing new for you in the fact that having participated in establishing the Baltic Assembly and closely following its activities, joint actions by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are particularly close to my heart.
Foundation of the Assembly was one of the most timely and rewarding steps of our concerted activities. The Baltic Assembly embodies a tradition of lasting cooperation between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and a mutually supportive spirit, irreplaceable in international relations.
Based on the performance of the Baltic Assembly in promoting common interests of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, I am convinced that close cooperation between three kindred countries' parliaments can deliver new quality both in international relations and in looking for domestic solutions.
Next year we are going to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Baltic Assembly. Since 1991, the Baltic Assembly has helped the three Baltic states to successfully navigate a breakthrough. The path taken has propelled newly independent states into countries generating democracy, stability and prosperity amid international cooperation. We have become allies, which contribution is appreciated more broadly than merely by the Baltic Sea region.
Over the short period of time our environment has changed beyond recognition. Strengthening of statehood, embedding of sovereignty, empowerment of our voice on the international arena - these were tasks facing the three Baltic states, actively on the agenda of the Baltic Assembly in the early nineties. Choices we were involved in at that time were more significant but also with more conspicuous consequences and impacts.
Today's Europe and world as a whole present more complicated challenges and intricate solutions. However, a need for lasting cooperation has not changed. More than ever before all outcome-oriented steps depend on cooperation between a broad range of parties.
The performance of the Baltic Assembly has proved that the organisation is able to strike accord in the name of common success. The Baltic Assembly has also recognized a necessity for more comprehensive regional cooperation.
I am glad that the upcoming plenary session has on its agenda a general debate on how to find new ways and be more effective in promoting Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian interests in a new environment, in an international relations network intertwined with closer partnerships.
In recent years, a boom of regional cooperation in the Baltic Sea region has taken place on our initiative and participation. Cooperation objectives have not become blurred, however, the coordination of cooperation has become more complicated. As NATO and EU members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have more weight in every context. Accents in this cooperation need creativity and ingenuity, which is definitely embodied in the Baltic Assembly.
I wish you fruitful cooperation, harmony and success for the 24th session!
|
| |
|
vpk.ee
