Linking projects to enhance Scandinavian-Baltic relations

VILNIUS- At the recent Baltic Development Forum Summit (BDF) inStockholm, Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Usackasannounced that the Baltic Sea Region would become a competitive regionin the world, if mutual links of the countries were enhanced.

"Creating transport links, integrating energy networks, usingrenewable energy sources, liberalising visa regime for all countries inthe region 's these are just a few specific tasks, after completingwhich the Baltic Sea Region would become also more competitive andunified," Usckas said at the Baltic Development Forum Summit in Stockholm.

Usackas explained that it is possible to achieve this if the countries willlook for linking projects. In the meantime, such projects asconstruction of the North European gas pipeline on the bottom of theBaltic Sea, as well as protectionism in trade, only discriminate amongthe countries in the region. 

The Minister also spoke up for a more active cooperation between theBaltic Sea Region countries and the Eastern Neighborhood countries,including Belarus, because it would open up new possibilities forinvestment, trade and tourism.

Usackas invited members of the forum to come to Vilnius next yearin June, where for the first time in Lithuania, the 12th BalticDevelopment Forum Summit will be organized together with the meeting ofPrime Ministers of the Baltic Sea States. 

The BDF Summit, or "The Baltic Davos", was foundedin 1999. It is an independent non-profit organisation with members fromlarge companies, major cities, institutional investors and businessassociations in the Baltic Sea Region. Baltic Development Forumcooperates with various partners, including businesses, governments,regional organizations, research and media representatives. The BDFmission is to achieve that the Baltic Sea Region would become anintegrated, prosperous and internationally competitive region.