Prime Ministers take part in the Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
On Monday, Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius participated in the Baltic Sea Strategy Forum in Jurmala to discuss ways to strengthen the regional integration, economic growth and competitiveness, says press center of Lithuania’s Government.
According to the Prime Minister A. Butkevičius, this may be aided by energy security, sustainable economy, and entrepreneurship.
"Regional energy security is of vital importance for our national security. Sustainable energy supply, competitive and well-functioning energy market, synchronization with European networks remain a common purpose, despite of the current achievements. We need to make efforts to develop the regional gas market, to make better use of existing infrastructure, thereby enhancing competitiveness and security. EU third energy package, together with clear, transparent and competitive rules, should be implemented across the region. At the same time, it is important to improve energy efficiency and promote energy-saving technologies. The leadership and experience in this area of our Nordic partners – Denmark and Sweden – is very valuable,”- notes the Lithuanian Prime Minister.
According to the Lithuanian Head of Government, continued focus is needed on stimulating the economy through entrepreneurship, innovation, marketing and digital technologies. We need to strengthen cooperation, integration of enterprises, research institutes, universities, centres of excellence. A well-functioning digital single market is an important tool for innovation, growth and competitiveness in the Baltic Sea Region.
“In this regard, I welcome the idea of creating a strategic action plan for 2016-2020 year aimed at mobilizing all stakeholders to promote the development of research and innovation, entrepreneurship, enhancing the attractiveness of the market, innovation and talents. And the third important factor would be the transport system connecting countries of the region, which must not only be well-functioning, but also meeting environmental and innovation requirements”, said the Prime Minister.
The Head of Government stressed the need for the integration of the Baltic transport infrastructure into the trans-European networks.
“Over the past two years, the three Baltic Prime Ministers devoted special attention and efforts to the Rail Baltica project. By the end of the year 123 km of European railway track will be completed in Lithuania, running from the Polish border to Kaunas. We must continue our cooperation”, said the Prime Minister.
Jurmala has hosted the sixth annual EU Baltic Sea Strategy forum. The annual forum is one of the key events organized by the European Commission, together with the EU Presidency and the Baltic Sea Council Secretariat. The forum gathers around half a thousand participants from EU institutions, regional organizations, national governments, municipal, academic, business and nongovernmental organizations. This year`s forum was also attended by Princess Victoria of Sweden, European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, special adviser Siim Kallas.