|
Dear Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to address this meeting of the Baltic Council of Ministers, especially as we also have here today the Prime Ministers of Finland and Poland, the Vice President of the European Commission, and Italy’s Minister of Transport. Your presence is proof that the Baltic countries are now linking up with our European neighbours and partners in a very practical sense.
As you are aware, Latvia will be voting on EU membership on 20th September, and right now the referendum campaign is underway. I am very much involved in the campaign for the ‘yes’ vote. As I say to people, there are many good reasons for voting yes, and one of them is the prospect of infrastructure development – good roads, good transport, stable supply of energy.
We realise that without modern infrastructure and a good transit network uniting our region with the rest of Europe, development is not possible. However, in recent years road transport has developed more rapidly than either railway or sea transport, and this has had a negative impact on our environment. The railways provide a promising alternative to road transport. So, we are now working on Rail Baltica, the new railway transport system that meets modern needs.
The project is very comprehensive and without EU funding it will be very difficult to complete. Let me emphasize that Rail Baltica is not a regular project. It will enhance the development of the entire Baltic Sea region and link us with Central and Western Europe, so it needs the political and practical commitment of all involved partners and beneficiaries.
Likewise, we believe that all parties involved in the Via Baltica project should carry out the commitments they have assumed. We look forward to early completion of this project.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Turning to energy and the Common Baltic Electricity Market, each country’s specific interests must be respected and we would therefore support a more gradual approach to the establishment of a Common Baltic Electricity Market. We support the creation of mutually advantageous and acceptable conditions for access to neighboring markets.
At the same time, while establishing the Common Baltic Electricity Market, we must not forget to ensure the security of our region’s energy supplies.
The Baltic electricity market is relatively small and it can function fully only it is integrated into the Common Baltic Electricity Market and finally into the EU internal electricity market.
For this to happen, construction of new inter-connectors is necessary. We welcome the progress of the cable link between Finland and Estonia, as well as the inter-connector envisaged between Poland and Lithuania. Latvia anticipates that the integration of markets will better secure energy supplies, increase the available options and reduce the problems stemming from the decommissioning of the Ignalina nuclear power plant.
It is also necessary to coordinate the development of a gas market and to enhance the exchange of information between the countries of the Baltic Sea Region Energy Cooperation programme and the Nordic states, as well as the individuals and institutions involved in the implementation of EU directives, Trans-European Energy Networks and the EU’s Northern Dimension.
Latvia sees excellent prospects for further Baltic cooperation in the field of energy and transport, especially as our countries approach EU membership. The support of our neighbours and partners in the EU will be crucial in the success of our joint efforts.
Let me assure you that when Latvia assumes the chairmanship of the Baltic Council of Ministers next year, these fields will be among our top priorities. I am proud that Latvia will be hosting the 5th Baltic Development Forum Summit this year in Riga on 5-7 October, and I look forward to meeting you there and continuing our discussion, for the benefit of the Baltic Sea region and for growing links with our neighbours and partners in Europe.
Thank you.
|
