Žygimantas Pavilionis Political DirectorLithuanian MFA

CONFERENCE CONCLUSIONS

Vilnius Conference 2006

• Co-hosted by the Presidents of Lithuania and Poland

• 22 delegations participated: 9 Presidents, 7 Prime Ministers and Ministers, EU Special Representative, NATO Deputy Secretary General, US Vice-president

• Continuation of 1997 Vilnius Conference

I CONCLUSIONS: DEMOCRACY PROMOTION

• European and transatlantic enlargement - part of global trend of the irreversible democratization.

• Through enlargement the EU and NATO have developed effective mechanisms of consolidating democracy in the larger part of Eastern Europe.

• Yet, policies and instruments for promoting democracy in the rest of the continent need elaboration. European Democracy Fund might become one of them.

II CONCLUSIONS: TARGET AREAS

• Europe today is almost entirely covered by democratic government

• Repressive rule in Belarus, along with the unsettled conflicts in Transnistria, Abkhazia, South Osetia and Nagorno Karabakh, remain the only few ‘black holes’ in Europe.

• Closing these gaps will predetermine the European democratic agenda in the coming years

III CONCLUSIONS: RUSSIA – POLICY CHANGE?

• America and all of Europe also want to see Russia in the category of healthy, vibrant democracies. Yet in Russia today, opponents of reform are seeking to reverse the gains of the last decade.

• In many areas of civil society -- from religion and the news media, to advocacy groups and political parties -- the government has unfairly and improperly restricted the rights of her people.

• Other actions by the Russian government have been counterproductive. No legitimate interest is served when oil and gas become tools of intimidation or blackmail, either by supply manipulation or attempts to monopolize transportation. And no one can justify actions that undermine the territorial integrity of a neighbor, or interfere with democratic movements.

• Russia has a choice to make. And there is no question that a return to democratic reform in Russia will generate further success for its people and greater respect among fellow nations.

IV CONCLUSIONS:ENERGY

• Overall understanding that energy cannot be used as a lever for the political pressure.

• Criticism towards EU for lack of unity in its external policies (North-transgas project, policy towars Russia).

• International community must agree on Common policy principles towards Russia aiming at de-monopolizing, opening and making a more transparent gas/oil market.

• US signaled a new policy shift towards Russia

• Therefore Lithuania urges EU to be more assertive in defining its new strategy towards Russia (democratization, transparency, non-discrimination, market based principles, ratification of Energy Charter Treaty).

V CONCLUSIONS: DEMOCRATISATION IS IRREVERSIBLE

• The democracy is not a privilege of a few. EU neighbours will have to embrace democratic reforms if they seek to adapt themselves to 21st century challenges

• Successful EU and NATO enlargement not only encouraged reforms and consolidation but also expanded the magnetism of these institutions

• It is clear that democratic progress in Eastern Europe, will produce eligible candidates for EU and NATO membership.

• We have to define this perspective in mutually acceptable terms. The question is not “if”, but “how” the open-door policy will be implemented.

VI CONCLUSIONS: REGIONAL COOPERATION

• Regional cooperation is vital for promoting European and transatlantic integration.

• Development of various regional formats should not undermine efforts to complete the vision of Europe whole and free.

• Initiatives like the Community of Democratic Choice provide new opportunities to expand cooperation across Europe on informal basis.

VII CONCLUSIONS:NEW OSTPOLITIK OF EU

• More differentiation• Individual approach• More political • More financial

resources• Integration into

Internal Market - everything but institutions