ISSN 1392-3528
Public Relations Department Lithuanian of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Parliamentary No 8-9 (72-73) August-September, 2003 MMMirror
ON 24-26 AUGUST SPEAKERS AND SECRETARIES GENERAL OF THE NORDIC AND BALTIC PARLIAMENTS MET IN PALANGA (P. 27)
THE SEIMAS RATIFIED THE TREATY CONCERNING LITHUANIA’S ACCESSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION (16 09 2003)
THE RUSSIAN OCCUPATIONAL ARMY WAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE TERRITORY OF LITHUANIA ON 31 AUGUST 1993
The commemoration meeting and guard of honour at Vilnius Independence Square (near the Parliament). 31 08 2003 SUMMARY Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
his visit to Lithuania. In Kaunas Metropolitan SUMMARY his speech Mr. Christen Archbishop Sigitas attempted to draw Tamkevièius delivered PLENARY SITTINGS history parallels between speeches during the two small European sitting (p. 12) countries, Lithuania and Switzerland (p. 7) On 25 September, a discussion on the In accordance with the sions of the tragedy in position of Lithuania in Constitution of the America would remind the Intergovernmental Republic of Lithuania that terrorism might Conference on the and the Seimas Statute, strike anyone, even the Treaty establishing a the 7th (autumn) most powerful countries Constitution for Europe session of the Seimas (p. 11) was held at the sitting began on 10 September. of the Seimas. The This session is to last till HOMAGE PAID TO Resolution on the 23 December. Chairman THE VICTIMS OF Position of the Republic of the Seimas Artûras LITHUANIAN JEW- of Lithuania at the Paulauskas invited ISH GENOCIDE ON Intergovernmental Seimas members for 23 SEPTEMBER AT Conference on the collaborative work in THE SEIMAS. Chair- Issue of the Constitu- his opening speech at man of the Seimas tion for Europe was the plenary sitting Artûras Paulauskas adopted (p. 17) (p. 10) opened the sitting and reminded that over the ADOPTED LAWS AND years of rule of the Nazi DECREES Germany 6 million of European Jews, includ- Law Amending and On 4 September, the ing more than 200,000 Supplementing the Law Parliament commemo- Lithuanian Jews, were on Petitions. This law rated a ten-year anni- killed by the Nazis and establishes the right for versary of the visit of their collaborators. Mr. citizens over 16 years of the Pope John Paul II. Paulauskas called on age to present to the Signatory of March 11 the participants of the Seimas, the Govern- Act, Chairman of the sitting to pay homage to ment and municipalities Seimas during 1993- At the Seimas sitting of the victims of the petitions on issues of 1996, First Deputy 10 September a speech Holocaust by a minute protection of human Chairman of the Seimas was made by Chairman of silence. rights and freedoms, Èeslovas Jurðënas gave of the Senate of the President of the reforms of governmen- a speech in the sitting Republic of France Knesset of Israel tal structures and (p. 6) Christian Poncelet who Reuven Rivlin, Chair- institutions and other was visiting Lithuania man of the Seimas of issues that are impor- (p. 10) the Republic of Lithua- tant to the society, self- nia Artûras Paulaus- government and the On 11 September, in kas, Minister of Educa- state (p. 19) commemoration of the tion and Science of the victims of the terrorist Republic of Lithuania Law on Insurance. The attacks in New York Algirdas Monkevièius, purpose of this Euro- On 9 September, a and Washington two President of Lithuanian pean integration law is speech was delivered at years ago, Chairman of Jewish Community to harmonise the legal the Seimas sitting by the Seimas Artûras Simonas Alperavièius, norms that regulate Chairman of the Paulauskas made a Rabbi of Jewish Reli- insurance and activities National Council of speech at the plenary gious Community of insurance agents with Swiss Confederation sitting giving a special Chabad Lubavich the European Union Yves Christen during emphasis that repercus- Sholom Ber Krinsky, law. This law also
2 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) SUMMARY provides that from the European Commission day Lithuania enters the and to establish the European Union the procedure, control of existing prohibition for payment of the tax on the insurance market of the production of quota the Republic of Lithua- white sugar and of nia to participate in the surplus sugar produc- domestic market of the tion tax as well as European Union is to be liability in the case of cancelled (p. 19) the breach of this law (p. 21) RATIFIED INTERNATIONAL Draft Law Amending DOCUMENTS Articles 16, 17, 19, 39, (p. 20-21) 41, 42, 43 and 46 and the referendum on 10- Programme in Monitor- on Supplementing the Law on the Ratification 11 May 2003 as well as ing and Assessment of Law on Public Service of Agreement of the President’s Decree No. Long-Range No.IXP-2769. The Republic of Lithuania 184 of 21 August 2003, Transboundary Air purpose of this law is to and the Republic of the Seimas of the Pollution in Europe prepare the public Iceland, Principality of Republic of Lithuania (EMEP) service for the Euro- Liechtenstein and ratified the Treaty pean integration Kingdom of Norway on signed in Athens on 16 Law on the Ratification processes and establish Conformity Assessment April 2003 of Cartagena Protocol measures that would and Acceptance of on Bio Safety of the encourage Lithuanian Industrial Products. Law on the Ratification Convention of Biologi- officials working at the of the Agreement of the cal Diversity international institu- Law on the Ratification Government of the tions and organisations of the United Nations Republic of Lithuania Law on the Ratification as well as the institu- Convention on the Law and the Government of of the Statutes of the tions and agencies of of the Sea and Agree- the Kingdom of Bel- World Tourism Organi- the European Union to ment Relating to the gium on Mutual Ad- sation return to the public Implementation of Part ministrative Assistance service of the Republic XI of the 10 December in Customs Matters THE SEIMAS of Lithuania (p. 21) 1982 United Nations BEGAN Convention on the Law Law on the Ratification DELIBERATIONS Draft Law Supplement- of the Sea. of Decision III/1 of the ing Article 9 of the Conference of Coun- Draft Law on the Republic of Lithuania THE SEIMAS OF tries of 1989 Basel Production Tax for Law on the Protection THE REPUBLIC OF Convention on the Quota Sugar and of Minors against LITHUANIA RATI- Control of Additional Tax on Detrimental Effect of FIED EU ACCES- Transboundary Move- Sugar Production No. Public Information SION TREATY ments of Hazardous IXP-2770 ES. The Draft No.IXP-2864. The Wastes and their Law on the Production amendment classes the 16 September. Following Disposal (Amendment Tax for Quota Sugar municipalities as Subparagraph 16 of of Basel Convention) and Additional Tax on institutions that along Article 67 and Sugar Production with the Inspector of Subparagraph 6 of Law on the Ratification proposes to establish Journalist Ethics bear Paragraph 1 of Article of the Convention on taxes for white sugar responsibility for the 138 of the Constitution Long-Range produced within the implementation of the of the Republic of Transboundary Air white sugar quota that provisions of the Law Lithuania and taking Pollution Protocol was allocated to Lithua- on the Protection of into account the na- Regarding the Financ- nia as a result of Minors against Detri- tion’s will expressed in ing of Cooperation negotiations with the mental Effect of Public
3 SUMMARY Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
Information. According to the initiators of the SUMMARY draft law (Ministry of Culture), the institu- tions responsible for the monitoring of the implementation of the provisions of the Law on the Protection of Minors against Detri- mental Effect of Public Information noticed in the course of their activities that more has to be done about external advertising and public events held in the territories of the On 24-26 August, the forces remains one of Institute of Interna- municipalities to Speakers and Secretar- the priorities on the tional Relations and protect minors from ies General of the agenda of the develop- Political Science of detrimental effect of Nordic and Baltic ment of Lithuanian Vilnius University public information Parliaments met in army and he added that (p. 32) (p. 23) Palanga. This is a in principle parliamen- traditional meeting of tary parties in Lithuania VISITS, MISSIONS, INTERNATIONAL the heads of the Nordic agree on Lithuania’s BUSINESS TRIPS RELATIONS and Baltic Parliaments, participation in interna- (p. 33-35) which for the first time tional operations A delegation of the was held in Lithuania (p. 30) CHAIRMAN OF THE parliamentarians of the (p. 27) SEIMAS countries, participating On 26 September, in the activity of the The meeting of Chair- Chairman of the Speech by Mr Artûras South Caucasus man of the Committee Committee on the Paulauskas, Chairman Parliamentary Initia- on National Security European Affairs of the Seimas at the tive (SCPI), including and Defence of the Vytenis Povilas Andriu- Meeting of the Speak- the members of Arme- Seimas Alvydas Sadec- kaitis, Seimas observer ers of Nordic and Baltic nian, Azerbaijani and kas with the USA at the European Parliaments in Palanga Georgian parliaments officers serving at Parliament Egidijus on 24-26, August 2003 and the representatives special forces head- Vareikis and Seimas (p. 36) of LINKS, a non- quarters was held at the representative to the governmental organisa- Seimas. During the Convention Algirdas Address by Mr. Artûras tion of the United meeting the partici- Gricius participated in Paulauskas, Chairman Kingdom, visited the pants exchanged a round-table discus- of the Seimas of the Seimas on 5 August. opinions about the sion “Meeting the EU Republic of Lithuania The aim of the visit was development of Lithua- Constitutional Treaty” at the commemoration to take a closer look at nian special forces and held by the Ministry of of the 10th anniversary the experience of further participation of Foreign Affairs. Discus- of the withdrawal of the regional cooperation of Lithuania in the inter- sion was also attended Russian Army from the the Baltic States that national operation in by a member of the territory of Lithuania are thought to have Afghanistan “Enduring European Commission, (p. 38) survived post-Soviet Freedom”. Chairman of Commissioner of period and seen as the Committee on Justice and Home 5 September. Chairman rapidly implementing National Security and Affairs Antonio Vitori- of the Seimas Artûras democratic, economic Defence of the Seimas no; representatives of Paulauskas and Chair- and structural reforms Alvydas Sadeckas the European Union man of the Supreme (p. 24) observed that special states; lecturers of the Rada of Ukraine
4 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) SUMMARY
Volodymyr Lytvyn, who Chairman of the Seimas SUMMARYwas visiting Lithuanian Artûras Paulauskas met seaside, met in Palanga on 10 September with and agreed to convene President of the Senate a founding sitting of the of the French Republic Assembly of the Seimas Christian Poncelet and of the Republic of his headed delegation. Lithuania and the Lithuanian parliamen- Supreme Rada of tary leader said in the Ukraine. Parliamentary meeting that the On 22 September, leaders agreed that it relations between Chairman of the Seimas was time for the Assem- Lithuania and France Artûras Paulauskas met bly of the Seimas of the were undergoing with the visiting delega- Republic of Lithuania positive development. tion headed by the and the Supreme Rada “I believe that the ties Speaker of the Knesset of Ukraine founded this of our countries in the of Israel Reuven Rivlin. year to launch real enlarged Europe are to The parliamentary activities, to hold a continue getting leaders discussed broader discussion of stronger, while your during the meeting the the most important visit is to provide a new parliamentary ties bilateral issues, pros- incentive to the political between Lithuania and pects of the European dialogue of Lithuania Israel, exchanged Union enlargement, and France, strengthen- opinions on the ties of initiatives of regional ing the development of Lithuanian and Jewish cooperation, possibili- inter-parliamentary communities, Holo- ties of strengthening ties,” Chairman of the caust investigation and economic ties (p. 40) Seimas said (p. 41) education, other topical issues (p. 44) 8 September. Chairman On 15 September, of the Seimas Artûras Chairman of the Seimas EXHIBITIONS, Paulauskas and visiting Artûras Paulauskas and EVENTS Lithuanian President of the Federal accompanying delega- Parliamentary Assembly of the Swiss tion, including Deputy With Lithuania mark- Mirror Confederation Yves Chairman of the Seimas ing the 10th anniver- Christen met in Vilnius Artûras Skardþius, sary of the pull-out of to discuss the most members of the Seimas the Russian Army (31 Published by the Public August 1993) an Relations Department of the pressing issues of Kæstutis Glaveckas and Seimas of the Republic of bilateral cooperation, Rimantas Sinkevièius, exhibition arranged by Lithuania. European Union met in Beijing with the Ministry of Defence Gedimino 53, 2002 Vilnius. enlargement events, Chairman of the and Ministry of Foreign Tel.: (3705) 2396201, 2396508. cooperation of small Standing Committee of Affairs was opened at Fax: (3705) 2396556. European states after the National People’s the Parliament. The Head of Department the EU enlargement. Congress of the Peo- exposition contained Andrius Vaiðnys. “We want that our ties ple’s Republic of China the documents of the negotiations with Edited by with small European U Banguo. The head of Jolanta Anskaitienë. Union member states the Chinese Parliament Russia on the army were more intense, stressed in the meeting pull-out, maps of Translated by therefore, Switzerland that after Lithuania deployment of military Ramûnas Èesonis. units, plans of pull-out. is interested that the becomes a full-fledged Layout by small states – future member of the EU a lot The photographs had Stanislava Autukienë. members – were as more incentives for recorded the images of active as possible in the cooperation between the occupational army Advisor Valdas Sinkevièius. leaving the country and European Union,” the China and Lithuania Photos by Olga Posaðkova. head of Swiss parlia- are to emerge its “heritage” to Lithua- ment said (p. 40) (p. 41) nia (p. 45) 360 copies.
5 PLENARY SITTINGS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
PPLENARY SSITTINGS
On 2-9 September, an extraordinary session took place at the Seimas. 6 sittings were held during the session (on September 2nd, 4th and 9th). Most of the legal acts discussed were related to the future Lithuanian member- ship in the European Union. Considerable attention was given to the problems of Lithuanian agriculture, problems of the restoration of property rights to land.
On 4 September, the Parliament commemorated a ten-year anniversary of the visit of Pope John Paul II
On 4 September 1993, the Holy Father leaves the Lithuanian Parliament accompanied by President Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas
Signatory of March 11 Act, Chairman of the Seimas during 1993-1996, First Deputy Chairman of the Seimas Èeslovas Jurðënas gave a speech in the sitting:
“Honourable Chairman of the Seimas, dear Col- leagues Members of the Seimas! I address you all but let me single out members of the Seimas of the term of 1992. Why? There is a special occasion. Today we, members of the Seimas, representatives of the nation together
6 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) PLENARY SITTINGS with the entire Lithuania commemorate a special encourages everyone to search for the solutions for all anniversary. Precisely 10 years ago Pope John Paul II conflicts that tear the continent apart in negotiations… began his apostolic journey. On 4 September 1993, The Baltic States make up a microcosm which makes he met and talked with President of the Republic the most urgent issues clearly visible, but this is the place Algirdas Brazauskas, communicated with other mem- for the dawn of decisions. Alongside with Lithuanian, bers of the Seimas of that term. Latvian and Estonian communities – who really yearn Not only the representatives of the cloth, but also for peace and national independence that they missed secular people, both Lithuanian and foreigners, are so long – there exist other communities of neighbouring well aware of the special love that the Holy Father countries that were born here. Their presence witnesses favours Lithuania and her people with. The great man the long history that has to be respected, though some- from Poland who has suffered the atrocities, tragedies times resented because of the sufferings, wounds and and seen blood and tears of occupations and totali- discords of the past: we have to see the prospect of fra- tarian regimes and who knows history as well as eve- ternal relations and openness.” ryday life of both nations was especially sensitive to- wards the suffering and hopes of Lithuanian people. Mr. Jurðënas also quoted the thoughts of the Pope It was his old wish to see the beloved country. How- that was voiced 10 years ago in the meeting with dig- ever, the authorities of alien Moscow would not al- nitaries, diplomats and clergymen. At the end of his low him to bring consolation to the Catholics and all speech, First Deputy Chairman said: sufferers in Lithuania by visiting us either on the oc- casion of the 600th anniversary of Lithuania’s Chris- “Dear colleagues! tening or on any other occasion. I could go on and on quoting homilies and speeches From the beginning of his pontificate on 16 Octo- of the Pope. All of them are very important. All of ber 1978 John Paul II had been showing exceptional them are meant for us all: Catholics, other Christians, attention to Lithuania. He confirmed this immedi- believers and freethinkers. A lot of speeches were de- ately after coming to Vilnius in his first speech in our livered in fine, correct Lithuanian. None of our es- country: teemed guests has endowed us with such high respect “I was extremely agitated when I have just kissed the during the period of the II Republic. ground of Lithuania – I thank God for the grace of be- John Paul II visited Lithuania at a special time – ing able to visit you. the greeting toll of church bells also marked another I had a deep yearning to see this country that is so occasion – on 31 August 1993 the last division of the dear to me! Immediately after the unfathomable will of foreign army left Lithuanian soil. Thus the apostolic God I was elected to the throne of Apostle Peter, I hur- journey helped to strengthen our recently re-estab- ried to the Lithuanian Chapel of Gracious Mother in lished independence, to care for the first buds of de- the underground of Basilica of Vatican. There, at the mocracy. But, most important, the visits of the Pope feet of the Virgin Mary I prayed for you all. instilled us with hope and strength in this new road, This land is very dear to the entire nation of Chris- gave a lot of lessons in humanity. tians dispersed on the five continents! Lithuania is a We are grateful to Him and let us wish the Pontiff witness to the strong love for the freedom of the reli- of Rome strong health, strength and long service for gion, which, as I emphasised on numerous occasions, God and Humanity”. constitutes basis for other human and public freedoms. Lithuania always tried to show its faithfulness to the On 9 September, a speech was delivered at the Catholic Church and went a long and painful way of Seimas sitting by Chairman of the National Council suffering to freedom and became famous as a land of of Swiss Confederation Yves Christen during his visit martyrs and believers”. to Lithuania. In his speech Mr. Christen attempted to Later Holy Father emphasised: draw history parallels between two small European “Dear brothers and sisters! I know that I am visiting countries, Lithuania and Switzerland. you at the time when Lithuanian society is searching for light in its glorious history full of manifestations of Mr. Christen: “… There are only faith and is trying to bravely go forward after a long pe- 18 Swiss nationals residing in riod of suffering, martyrdom and challenge.”… Lithuania, including the very active Consul General*, whereas there are … The words of the Pope about Lithuania and 204 Lithuanians living in Switzer- the Baltic states have a special meaning: “After experiencing numerous shakedowns of the * Mr. Bruno Kaspar, Honorary Consul past years, Lithuania is becoming a state – symbol that General
7 PLENARY SITTINGS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) land. It is not only statistical data that our relations are fore I extend my gratitude in advance to the Lithua- based on; they are also built with heart. Our coopera- nian Seimas for the current assistance and for the tion reveals itself in credits worth approximately 25 support it will give us when we are also ready to enter million francs and granted to banking, health care, the European Union at some point. cartography and cadastral measurements, power in- While waiting together we could further endeav- dustry and environment protection. During 12 years our to act by strengthening relations between Europe of its independence Lithuania has made tremendous and East Europe since, in my opinion, all countries, progress in political and economic sense. After 50 years whether wealthy or not that rich, have to act in ac- of Soviet totalitarism Lithuania has chosen the road cord in trying to create our prosperous future. of parliamentarism. Elections to the Seimas and presi- I would also like to underline that Lithuania has dential elections have established conditions for the succeeded in finding a proper solution with respect change of or even cohabitation of the President and to a big Russian-speaking minority residing in Lithua- parliamentary majority of different political views. The nia. Congratulations on that. authorities of the capital city have rejuvenated Vilnius. To finish with, I am looking at your beautiful flag, Klaipëda City is expanding too. Kaunas has imple- the yellow colour of which symbolizes the sun, light, mented a remarkably effective economic development wealth and honour; the green colour – faith in land, forum. Curonian Spit peninsula invites tourists to visit freedom and happiness, and the red colour – blood Thomas Mann museum. Our relations should, there- you shed for the Homeland. I wish no more blood fore, be further developed and we are truly delighted was shed and that the fourteen freedom fighters who with this visit and the opportunity to tell Lithuania lost their lives on 13 January 1991 would be the last about our friendship and express our admiration for to have perished for the Homeland so that Lithuania this brave nation. enjoyed the existence of other values symbolised on Ladies and Gentlemen, these are not just empty your flag. I am certain that Lithuania will face a much- words. The progress you have achieved over so few promising future in a big family of European nations. years of independence deserves our admiration. The I wish you a lot of courage. We all have to contrib- history of Lithuania is similar to the Swiss one in many ute to our future a lot. A feeling of friendship among aspects. We both are small countries surrounded by nations has to push us forward. Long live friendship powerful neighbours and trying to sustain our inde- of nations between the Swiss Confederation and the pendence. You suffered attacks of Poles, Swedes, Republic of Lithuania!” Germans and especially Russians. We had to protect ourselves from Austrians, Germans or French. Ad- 9 September. Chairman mittedly, our geographical context was slightly dif- of the Seimas Committee on ferent than yours. Our nations can face tomorrow European Affairs Vytenis without fear owing to the creation of Europe and the Povilas Andriukaitis sub- Atlantic Alliance. Both our countries have to think mitted a report of the work- about relations with Europe whose geographical cen- ing group “On the Prepara- tre, by the way, is not Brussels, but Bernatai, 25 kilo- tion of the Framework of the metres away from Vilnius. Soon you will join the Seimas Activities after European Union and we wish you best of luck in im- Lithuania’s Accession to the plementing this decision of yours. This choice was European Union and Re- approved by 90 per cent, a result one could only dream quired Draft Laws on the about in the historic moment of the 11 May referen- Amendment of Legal Acts”. dum. It is a very clear result, a result which could not have been possible but for the determination of par- The rapporteur informed that the working group liamentarians to advance the welfare of the Lithua- had held 3 general meetings, 5 meetings on constitu- nian nation … tional amendments, 3 – on the choice of the parlia- … We have chosen a slower road ourselves, tak- mentary model, 4 – on restructurization of Lithua- ing into account our history and constitutional pecu- nian institutions and 2 – on amendments to the Seimas liarities. Together with the European Union we made Statute, Law on the Government, Rules of Procedure the first out of seven agreement sessions in impor- of the Government. The Seimas Committee on Eu- tant areas such as free movement of persons and air ropean Affairs had hosted three international con- transport. Negotiations are underway as to the sec- ferences. ond session of agreements. They are mainly meant Mr. Andriukaitis emphasised that “contrary to for the customs issues and will have to be ratified by other authorities, namely the Seimas bears the main all national parliaments of 25 Member States. There- responsibility of supervision so that the EU would
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not exceed its competence boundaries established in pate in the activities of the European Union, the Con- the founding treaties of the EU thus violating the stitution of the Republic of Lithuania has to be sup- sovereignty of the Republic of Lithuania. On the other plemented. hand, it is the Seimas which can contribute the most Mr. Andriukaitis also summarised the work of to the furtherance of the development of the sover- other subgroups, presented the most important con- eignty of the Republic of Lithuania through EU in- clusions, answered questions of the Seimas members. stitutions”. Chairman of the sitting informed that the elders’ The above-mentioned sub-groups summarized the meeting in the near future will make a decision on the experience and positions of mostly all European approval of the report or drafting of a relevant docu- Union countries and analysed the same in the acced- ment. ing countries. Special attention was given to the ex- perience of Germany, France, Denmark, Ireland, Great Britain, Sweden and Finland and the model they chose. Discussions were held on whether the SEIMAS 7TH (AUTUMN) SESSION Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania sufficiently OPENED ON 10 SEPTEMBER defines the participation of the Lithuanian state in the European Union, whether it needs to be supple- In accordance with the Constitution of the Republic mented. In the opinion of the speaker, the subgroup of Lithuania and the Seimas Statute, the 7th (autumn) of constitutional amendments has reached a clear session of the Seimas began on 10 September. This ses- conclusion: If Lithuania wishes to efficiently partici- sion is to last till 23 December.
9 PLENARY SITTINGS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
Chairman of the Seimas states also depends on your activities. Let your Artûras Paulauskas invited Seimas thoughts and ideas be not distracted by the coming members for collaborative work in his opening elections. I wish you health, tolerance as well as con- speech at the plenary sitting structive, wise and collaborative work”. At the Seimas sitting of 10 September a speech Chairman of the Seimas strongly empha- was made by Chairman of the Senate of the sized that: “… one of the Republic of France Christian Poncelet who most significant issues of was visiting Lithuania this autumn session, which is also extraordi- Mr. Poncelet: “… First of nary in its sense, will be all I would like to express my the adoption of the Law delight at the remarkable re- on Determining Finan- lations that have been devel- cial Indicators of State oped between Lithuania and and Municipal Budgets France after restoration of for the Year 2004 which Lithuania’s independence. It will be adopted for the first is hardly surprising that a time in history with regard country like Lithuania which to the future membership in the European Union. takes pride and justly takes Another fundamental job that lies ahead is the ap- pride in its history and which proval of the European Union Affairs Coordination holds on to its differences Model, assurance that legislation mechanism oper- and peculiarities is on good terms with a country like ates smoothly and effectively after Lithuania’s acces- France which also ensures independence and respects sion to the European Union, therefore I ask you to diversity… devote special attention and be active in resolving this … Now I would like to move on to something that topical issue. you Lithuanians take interest in, just like we, French The finish line is straight ahead of our road to the people, do. You explicitly showed in the referendum European Union, yet about 90 laws have to be adopted your wish to join the European family. Mind that in before we reach it, which is necessary for a full-fledged this case France appreciates the enthusiasm that membership of Lithuania in the European Commu- Lithuanian “yes” to Europe was voiced with. It does nity. not matter what party Lithuanians belonged to or It is of utmost importance to adopt the legal acts what political views they had. The voting result was a of the first group until the end of autumn. It is im- direct merit of your parliamentarians, so I congratu- portant if we strive that the European Commission’s late you on that. Progress Report confirmed the implementation of When you accede to the European Union, the Lithuania’s negotiation commitments. geographical foundation of Europe will get stronger. I hope that during this last autumn session of the You are a necessary link between Scandinavian Eu- current term of the Seimas we will be able to refrain rope and Central Europe. The European culture will from unnecessary discussions, time-consuming, mi- just get richer following your accession and the legal nor and superficial law amendments …”. basis will become more solid. You must have under- stood that now I am going to talk about Europe, our Chairman of the sitting, First Deputy Chairman Europe, our common home that has to be built to- of the Seimas Èeslovas Jurðënas read the welcoming gether in the spirit of brotherhood. Europe I wish to statement of the President of the Republic of Lithua- tell you about and which I wish for my children and nia Rolandas Paksas delivered on the occasion of the grandchildren is not a bureaucratic Europe or a mar- beginning of the 7th (autumn) parliamentary session. ket Europe where everybody wants to get its share. Having congratulated parliamentarians President, My Europe of dreams, and I know it could be real if among other things, wished: we work all together, is a great Europe. Strong, show- ing solidarity, united inside and open to the outside. “…The Lithuanian people associate their future This Europe could be a privileged exceptional part- expectations with the work of the Seimas as well as ner in relations with America. This great Europe with other state authorities. I wish that the confidence in single currency, economic government, reliable and the Seimas of those Lithuanian people who elected effective defence system will be more than just Eu- you increased. The confidence in our country by other rope as an area. Remarkable area for economic trade 10 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) PLENARY SITTINGS since the whole would always be more important than about the security of the world community, Lithua- its separate parts. Now it is the right time we got down nia being its integral part. to the common work, so worrisome, yet necessary. Repercussions of the tragedy that befell the We are made to do it primarily by the context, inter- United States will continue to live in the hearts of the national context, which being so unstable and men- contemporaries of that horrifying event as remind- acing makes us unite constantly so we could protect ers that no one, even the most powerful and seem- ourselves. Secondly, there is a European context be- ingly invulnerable states, are safe from terrorism. cause I feel a need for Europe, a real wish for Eu- We are commemorating the second anniversary rope. It is like new winds on the continent that should of the feral terrorist act and mourning for its victims and could move us forward and encourage for deeds. together with Americans and with all the people of This great Europe has to be continuously built; it has the world who hate any form of violence and any de- to be strong, open and generous, facing the future structive goal. since it has been given a lesson by the past. The past The terrorists who targeted live bombs at skyscrap- was glorious, often stained by blood and yet some- ers attacked peace and security as, in their minds, times sordid. Therefore I invite you to seize the fair the entire democratic world was reflected in the glass winds blowing for some time on our continent so that of those skyscrapers. However they did not expect we could overcome the barrier created by our every person in the world to see himself or herself in resistances, our diversity and our competition. Let the broken glass and to realise the magnitude of the us project both in space and time, today we have ap- threat. propriate means for that, all we need is our big wish. May we join these people of the world in a one- European Constitution drafted by the European Con- minute silence to honour the memory of Septem- vention is a powerful tool and perfect opportunity to ber 11. create a sincere Europe. This European Constitution We often hear: the world before September 11 and is more than a plain legal text; it is a symbol, em- after September 11. blem, even an identification card proving that Eu- The world, Lithuania included, and all the states rope is a reality. This Constitution also proves us that that decided to break the net, which the terrorists despite our differences we can come to a common attempted to throw on the world, and to curb its im- agreement, if heart and mind desires…”. minent threat are and always will be after Septem- ber 11. We are a young Lithuanian state, and we turned MEMBERS OF THE SEIMAS PAID ten only a few years ago as an independent state. For TRIBUTE TO THE VICTIMS OF us this day is a warning that having averted one type SEPTEMBER 11TH of threat you may be faced with another, which is no less dangerous and which cannot be prevented by ei- ther the most state-of-the-art weapons or the most On 11 September, in commemoration of the vic- eloquent speeches or declarations. tims of the terrorist attacks in New York and Wash- With a clear anti-terrorist programme as our tool Artûras ington two years ago, Chairman of the Seimas and with four conventions concerning fight against Paulauskas made a speech at the plenary sitting giv- terrorism having been ratified, we take part in eleven ing a special emphasis that repercussions of the trag- universal international anti-terror instruments today. edy in America would remind that terrorism might This year has already seen the adoption of the law strike anyone, even the most powerful countries. stipulating liability for setting up a terrorist gang, for participation in its activities and for any support to terrorists. This law as well as other pieces of our leg- Address by Mr. Artûras Paulauskas, islation are on-going prerequisites for our further Chairman of the Seimas active involvement in safeguarding peace and secu- rity in the world, which means peace and security in My dear colleagues, Lithuania. We must ACT today. We must act with the whole We have gathered in a regular sitting of our regu- world community, we must unite in our efforts to com- lar Seimas session today, however the 11th of Septem- bat the most dangerous enemy that crosses borders, ber will never be a regular day to those who shared seas and oceans, that disregards religions, nations, and the tragedy of thousands of innocent American peo- races, and that tramples on every human value. We ple when they saw the towers falling down, the lives must ACT hand in hand as we did when we were stand- and myths being destroyed, when they felt anxiety ing in the live Baltic Chain, the only difference being
11 PLENARY SITTINGS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) that now we must hold not only the hands of our neigh- nia, members of Lithuanian Jewish Community, a bours but the hands of the entire world as well. representative of Lithuanian World Community, rep- May September 11 be the day of our sorrow and resentatives of national minorities, other dignitaries grieve as well as the day of our determination. We took part in the sitting of the Seimas held to mark are sad, but may our tears of sadness prevent us from the Genocide of Lithuanian Jews Day and the 60th loosing our eyesight and from loosing our determi- anniversary of destruction of Vilnius Ghetto. nation, which guided us when we joined fight against international terrorism in pursuit of our security for Chairman of the Seimas Artûras Paulauskas the protection of the future of the integral and undi- opened the sitting and reminded that over the years vided Lithuania and for the protection of our chil- of rule of the Nazi Germany 6 million of European dren’s future. Jews, including more than 200,000 Lithuanian Jews, were killed by the Nazis and their collaborators. Mr. Chairman of the Seimas invited everybody together Paulauskas called on the participants of the sitting to with people of the world to pay respect to the victims of pay homage to the victims of the Holocaust by a the 11th of September by a minute of silence. minute of silence. President of the Knesset of Israel Reuven Rivlin, Chairman of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithua- nia Artûras Paulauskas, Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania Algirdas Mon- kevièius, President of Lithuanian Jewish Community Simonas Alperavièius, Rabbi of Jewish Religious Community Chabad Lubavich Sholom Ber Krinsky, Kaunas Metropolitan Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevi- èius delivered speeches during the sitting.
Speech by Speaker of the Knesset of Israel Reuven Rivlin
Speaker of the Parliament, Mr. Artûras Paulauskas, honored members of Parlia- ment, Today Lithuania is marking 60 years The Seimas observed a minute of silence in memory since the destruction of Ghetto Vilna, of Foreign Minister of Sweden Anna Lindh. finally drowned in the blood of Lithua- nia’s illustrious Jewish community. Today, as the new, independent, HOMAGE PAID TO THE VICTIMS OF democratic Lithuania prepares to join LITHUANIAN JEWISH GENOCIDE the new and expanding European com- munity, I stand here before you as ON 23 SEPTEMBER AT THE SEIMAS Speaker of the Knesset, the democratic parliament of the State of Israel; and as President of the Republic of Lithuania Rolandas a scion of the family of the Gaon Rabbi Eliyahu of Paksas, former President Valdas Adamkus, Prime Vilna, the pride of Lithuanian Jewry and one of the Minister of the Republic of Lithuania Algirdas spiritual giants of the Jewish people, a family whose Mykolas Brazauskas, members of the Government, branches have flourished for over 200 years in the Speaker of the Knesset of Israel Reuven Rivlin and holy land, but whose roots are planted deeply here, his delegation, deputies of the Supreme Council – in the “Jerusalem of Lithuania” that was Vilna. Reconstituent Seimas – signatories of the Act on the I stand here as a simple Jew, with almost quarter Re-establishment of the State of Lithuania, heads of of a million of my brothers and sisters – men, women, the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Supreme old people, children and infants – buried here in Administrative Court and Court of Appeals, hierarchs Lithuania, in hundreds of mass graves. and representatives of Lithuanian churches, parlia- However, I have not come here today, Mr. mentary ombudsmen, representatives of diplomatic Speaker, to tell the new Lithuania once again about- missions, foreign dignitaries, members of the Inter- the atrocities that my people suffered here, in the national Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes streets of Vilna, in the towns, the villages and the for- of the Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithua- ests. 12 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) PLENARY SITTINGS
I have not come here, to the democratic parlia- This historic plea for forgiveness was an impor- ment of modern Lithuania, to tell you once again tant and meaningful step in the right direction. about entire families dragged from their homes to But Lithuania made a major error in the past, deep pits in the forest, to be gunned down or buried when it decided (out of an understandable desire to alive. renounce completely the Soviet chapter of history that Nor have I come here to remind you of the active was imposed upon the Lithuanian people) to offer arid central part played by so many Lithuanians in rehabilitation which also embraced those guilty of the genocide of my brothers and sisters, which took crimes against humanity, people with Jewish blood place here in Vilna 60 years ago. on their hands. The new Lithuania, independent and democratic, I must also tell you plainly, as a democratic, par- has recognized its historic responsibility towards my liament with democratically elected members, that people. the issue of property plundered from the Jews of Lithuania understands that even as a democracy Lithuania which should rightfully be returned to their – and maybe just because it is a democracy it is not few remaining heirs, will not be taken off the agenda exempt from facing up to its past, bravely and inci- of relations between our countries. sively, and from a collective spiritual accounting. As legislators in a democratic country, and cer- Europe as a whole is not exempt from a searching tainly as members of Parliament of a member coun- self-examination, and many European countries have try of the European Union, you will have to consider already understood that only by bravely coming to the severe consequences of legislation which, in fact, terms with the past and educating the younger gen- denies the legal rights of Israelis, Lithuanians and eration in light of its lessons can they ensure – for their heirs, and gives a legal seal of approval looting Europe itself – that the horrors of World War II are the property of murdered victims. never repeated. Courageous Lithuanian historians and journalists, Unfortunately, not all Europeans have understood in their study of Lithuania under the Nazi occupa- this. tion, tire facing up to the painful facts just as they There are those who feel that the fact that their are. They, like many others in Lithuanian society (I country was under Nazi occupation frees them from am sure) consider that independent and democratic any moral, personal, national and historic responsi- Lithuania must reveal its past, unadorned, and face bility for the atrocities that its people committed, up to its meaning. sometimes enthusiastically co-operating with the We certainly admire the educational project, in Nazis, and sometimes at their own initiative. which Lithuanian teachers have been participating in And indeed, only a few years ago it was revealed seminars on the holocaust, held by “Yad VaShem” – to the entire world, and to the Europeans themselves, the Israeli Institute for the holocaust commemoration that despite the 50-year veneer of enlightenment it is – so that significant chapters of the history are prop- possible., even today, in the back yard of democratic erly absorbed in Lithuanian educational programs. Europe, for a satanic genocide and ethnic cleansing But it must be made clear: participation in a semi- to take place, and for human beings to rise up one nar – important as it may be – is not enough. This clear day and turn on their neighbours and friends of educational effort must be continuous and thorough, yesterday, murdering entire families, entire, villages. so that every Lithuanian youngster knows the truth. There those too who feel that 40 or 50 years of The whole truth. Soviet rule also suffice to free nations of their his- Honored members of Parliament, I have not come toric responsibility. here today to teach you Jewish Lithuanian history. But there also brave leaders such as the Prime I stand here before you as a representative of the Minister arid former president Mr. Algirdas Mykolas state of itself, and as a Jew, to tell you about us, the Brazauskas, who understand that it is not possible to Israelis – the Israelis of 2003. turn over a new leaf without courageously facing up We Israelis are trying to live our lives, just as you to the horrors of the past and without recognizing Lithuanians do, and just like any other nation. historic responsibility. However the Holocaust, our past, is not only a We Israelis will not forget his frank and heartfelt black chapter in history. It is not just a dark period words; his historic request eight years ago for forgive- that has passed and is no longer. ness on behalf of the entire Lithuanian nation. The Holocaust, for us, is an essential component We will not forget the hallowed words that he of our national identity and of the personal identity chose to quote in the Knesset in Jerusalem, the same of every Israeli and every Jew throughout the world. words that the Jews cried out in their last moments It exists in the personal motivation of every young in the forest of Ponar, in Kovna or in Ghetto Vilna: Israeli enlisting at the age of 18 for a long and weary- “Hear, oh Israel, the Lord our G-d, the Lord is One” ing period of military service; it exists in the high birth 13 PLENARY SITTINGS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) rate of the State of Israel, one of the highest in the threatened territory in the world. Hundreds of mis- western world; it exists in Israeli politics and in the siles are aimed at its centers of population. Billions deepest layers of Israeli nationhood. of dollars are invested by corrupt and fundamental- In recent years the memory of the Holocaust, de- ist regimes to develop weapons of mass destruction spite the years have passed, has also become more for use against it. Hundreds of thousands of people personal and more intimate for every Israeli. are taught to believe that the very existence of Israel Today, 58 years after the sound of the canons fell defiles the holy land and that to murder its residents silent in Europe, the number of survivors still living through an act of suicide is a supreme religious com- among us is naturally decreasing. mandment. Many survivors who preferred to remain silent, to Ever since its establishment, and today more than repress, to suffer their nightmares alone and to dedi- ever, Israel has faced murderous Arab terrorism in- cate themselves, despite this burden, to their new spired by a particularly despicable combination of Is- lives, to family and to building the Jewish state, are lamic fundamentalism and a blind admiration of Hit- now, towards the end of their lives, opening up and ler. beginning to share with their children and grandchil- Horrendous pictures of entire families murdered dren their personal experiences of the inferno that together, on buses, in the streets, and even in their they went through here, in Europe. homes take us back to the pictures of those days from And so it is the third generation after the Holo- Vilna, Kovna, Ponar. caust, the generation of young Israelis, citizens of an To the pictures of then. independent strong country trusting in its might, that And with all this, Israel has been forced for many today is experiencing intensively the personal and years to stand alone against increasing terrorism. private experiences of the Holocaust survivors. For many years – too many – Israel was shocked, Many Israelis, especially the younger generation, time after time, to discover the double standard, the are returning here to the land soaked with Jewish hypocrisy of the many democratic countries which blood to try and feel for themselves the experience of refused to condemn, and even expressed an under- the fires of hell. standing of the motives of anti-Israeli and anti-Se- They visit the forests, emptied of Jews, they visit mitic terrorism. the death camps and concentration camps; they visit It is no secret, Mr. Speaker, that Europe as a whole the mass graves. They feel closer than ever before to has more than once shown excessive tolerance of Arab the starving child of the ghetto; to the youngster hu- terrorism and of corrupt terrorist regimes. miliated by his former friends in front of the entire It is also no secret that Israel is greatly encouraged town; to the mother calming her children on the way by the forceful attitude towards global terrorism shown to the death pit; to the rabbi tearfully reciting the last by countries such as Lithuania, which is now-joining confessional prayer with his community in the syna- the European Union. I feel that the free world, and gogue as it goes up in flames. particularly the countries of western Europe, can learn We Israelis, all of us, are survivors. a great deal from the bleak experience of young de- We, the lucky ones who are fortunate enough to mocracies such as Lithuania, which spent many years live in our own independent state, live the lessons of under a dictatorship and are familiar with the Machi- the Holocaust all the time, every day. avellian mentality of all dictatorships, maintaining an The state of Israel, since its establishment, has innocent outward appearance while plotting against sworn an oath of “never again” their neighbours and against their own citizens. Its very existence as the only secure refuge for It is no wonder that it is the young democracies of every Jew is the fulfillment of this vow. Europe, such as Lithuania, which only recently whole- The memory of the Holocaust, and the vow that heartedly supported the expulsion of Saddam Hussein, Jewish blood will never be abandoned again, are fun- one of the most dangerous of tyrants who developed damental elements in our identity and our lives, even from a regional problem to a global danger. 60 years after the Holocaust. I am certain, Mr. Speaker, that Lithuania’s moral This is not only because for us, the Holocaust was approach to the problem of global terrorism gives it the main formative national experience, but because a better understanding of the difficult situation that even today we are surrounded by enemies whose aim Israel faces every day. is to complete the accursed work of Hitler, at least I believe that if you, the Lithuanians, understand with regard to the millions of Jews living in the state that it is not only in our subjective eyes that there is a of Israel. direct line between the Nazi horrors and the mur- The state of Israel is trying to live as a normal derous acts of terrorism directed against us, and that democratic country. But Israel today is the most this can also be seen by a completely objective ob-
14 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) PLENARY SITTINGS server – the racism is the same racism; the motiva- Speech by Chairman of the Seimas of the tion is the same motivation; and. the objective is one Republic of Lithuania Artûras Paulauskas and the same, the physical destruction of Jews wher- ever they arc – then you will also be able to under- My Honourable Colleagues, stand why we will never be able to forget; why we will Honoured Speaker of the Knesset never be able simply to draw a line under the past; A year ago, last autumn the entire Lithuania had and why we insist on a genuine and courageous na- been commemorating the tragic date in the fate of tional self-examination. Lithuanian Jews – 60th Anniversary of the Holocaust In our view, the appropriate and ethical policy in Lithuania. On 21st September last year, the Seimas towards those who today threaten world peace and gathered in this hall for a commemorative sitting. who are sworn to hatred, terrorism and murder is Hardly anything can be added to the things that derived directly from the lessons of the Holocaust. were said from this rostrum on that day – we de- However we, the Jews, remember not only the nounced the inhumanity of anti-Semitism and Na- Holocaust and the dreadful fate that befell the Jews zism, and the callousness of the Nazis and their col- of Lithuania. laborators as well as their role in the extermination We also remember hundreds of years of flour- of Lithuanian Jewry; we condemned the participa- ishing Jewish life in Lithuania and throughout Eu- tion of the Lithuanian police and some auxiliary po- rope. lice battalions in the atrocities, the assistance of the The dark shadow of the Holocaust undoubtedly local authorities in the organization of the killings that lies over the Golden Age. But it does not erase it. buried a great part of the peace-loving creative And today independent and democratic Lithua- Lithuanian Jewry in their native land. On that day, nia, which has shaken off the Soviet regime and we spared no details of this awful tragedy. emerged as a free democracy, within only a few years Today, another autumn is setting in and once again joining the European Union, is an example for the our faces are touched by the wind, which tears yellow entire world. leaves off the trees and blows them around. We are certain that against the background of our These yellow leaves are like the pages torn out of a shared democratic values, and against the background history book and brought to us from the days of a fairly of the long history which we share, we will be able to recent past when people, marked with stars of the same continue to build a true friendship and mutual com- yellow colour as these maple leaves, were driven from mitments between our two countries. the Vilna Ghetto to their final destination. I should like to thank you, Mr. Speaker, for invit- The golden autumn leaves call to mind not only ing me to Lithuania and for the great honor of speak- the horrors of the Holocaust. They remind us of the ing before the Lithuanian Parliament. Thank you. Golden Age of the Jewish culture – an integral part
At the Ponar (Paneriai) Memorial
15 PLENARY SITTINGS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) of Lithuania’s cultural heritage. These fluttering against Jews, which the Nazis ideologists tried to link leaves could also recall to us the hearts of those peo- to Europe’s fight against communism, thus winning ple who in those darkest hours remained human, and over the simple-minded and novices in politics. sheltered and rescued at least some of those who to- Is it easy to ponder on the events of the past, to day stand with us as live witnesses to those horrific look for criminals among my own people, to raise days. difficult questions? No, it is not. But that does not It has been found that, despite the terror, at least stop us from facing these questions. We must over- 3 000 Jews were rescued in Lithuania. The trusted come unwillingness to avoid talking about them, be- Israeli institution Yad Vashem presented the Right- cause our future will depend on how open we dare eous Among the Nations award to 513 Lithuanian be with ourselves. That is why we are working. people. The Lithuanian national Holocaust education Years go by, and more and more time separates programme won acclaim and was recognised as a us from the day of the extermination of the Vilna model one in many countries across the world. Ghetto residents. Even as the number of witnesses, Lithuania has the International Commission for the contemporaries and observers of those atrocities de- Evaluation of the Crimes of the Nazi and Soviet Oc- creases, we are still profoundly moved by the inhu- cupation Regimes. With the support of the Lithua- manity of the Holocaust, the humiliation, taunting nian Government, the Lithuanian Jewish Commu- and suffering of its victims, and their desperate at- nity held the First Congress of the World Litvaks in tempts to survive, as well as the survivors’ fight and Vilnius. resistance against Racism. Hundreds of Lithuanian history teachers under- We are moved because remembering the Holo- went special training in the history of the Holocaust; caust takes us back to those days and makes us pon- 25 of them took a training stage at the Institute Yad der and think if the human race has changed since Vashem in Israel. then, and if and how we have changed. We wonder No that long ago, through the efforts of histori- whether the conflicts rumbling here and there across ans, teachers, documentary-makers and public fig- the world are not somehow similar to those dark ures, the theory of two genocides was rejected; since events and whether they hold a threat of another then corrections have been made to history textbooks; holocaust? extensive studies of the Holocaust have been pub- The Holocaust is a bell that tolls for the past, the lished; the history of the Holocaust is taught at present and – most importantly- for the future. Any schools, universities, to the military troops and offic- national, racial or religious, social or political perse- ers. Over the years of Lithuania’s independence, sev- cution, which prompts images of an enemy, makes us eral hundreds of sites relating to the Jewish remem- deeply apprehensive. brance have been set up, numerous commemorative Because we know what the prelude to the Holo- plaques have been unveiled and many monuments caust was – all Jews were said to be rich capitalists have been erected. exploiting us; all Jews were portrayed as communists In October 2000, Lithuania was among the organ- and saboteurs, who supposedly sold Lithuania to the isers of the International Forum of Vilnius, investi- Soviets and so on. So it is as if “they”, not the Nazis gating the problems of the cultural heritage plundered and their Lithuanian collaborators, were to bear all during the Holocaust. At that Forum, Lithuania the blame and to shoulder all the responsibility. promised to return the heritage items it had still held That was the beginning, and it does not matter and we have kept to our promise: in January 2002, whether those ideas were imported or bred locally, 309 Torah scrolls and their fragments were presented or whether they were just concocted by the Nazis and to Jerusalem, almost 50 Torah scrolls and their frag- their auxiliaries to justify their bloody work. ments will be handed over to the Jewish people to- We know what similar accusations in one or an- night. other country are directed at and what they can lead It is quite surprising that some politicians in Is- to – persecution, oppression, exclusion, and mass rael do not want to take notice of all these efforts, or murder. That is a profound lesson of the Holocaust even try to ignore them altogether. Those people do to the human race. not care that in the past decade Lithuania saw the The inhumanity, with which Lithuanian citizens publishing of over 60 books on the history, culture treated Jews in an attempt to annihilate them entirely, and language of Lithuanian Jews, and the tragedy of can be justified neither by the horrors of the war, nor the Holocaust. Lithuanian historians published count- the ideological struggle, nor the disregard for human less articles and books (some of them even in Eng- life. Because there was a separate war waged – a war lish), without attempting to cover the truth up, but
16 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) PLENARY SITTINGS rather investigating how these horrors could happen, torn-out pages. Therefore, every day we learn more who is to blame and who was involved in the killings. and more. We can feel the immense sorrow of those who lost This process needs time – time to educate the pub- their loved ones, hence we are taking no note of those lic, to foster a tolerant citizen of the 21st century, a in Israel who hamper our efforts. We continue work- citizen of an open democratic state; time to restore ing for the sake of knowledge, for the sake of our at least part of the things lost and time to re-establish children’s future. justice. Today the research of and education in the Holo- This requires thorough consistent and responsi- caust history along with the commemoration of the ble effort. Whether we can make it a success will de- victims are part of our uneasy daily life. Yet still, there pend on all the communities living in Lithuania: on is room for improvement, just like anywhere else in the daily work and public statements by Lithuanians, our state and society; we need to intensify our efforts Jews and everyone of us. We should not forget that and instil responsibility in our younger generations, the people living in Lithuania can see, hear and ana- who will see the Holocaust as painful and tragic his- lyse them. tory, but to whom it will be a distant past, known only The laws of the new Lithuania do not provide for from books and video records. a term of limitation for crimes against humanity; we Today we are marking a tragic and sad date, but I have already started resolving the issues relating to am very glad that the Speaker of the Knesset of the restitution of the property of the Jewish community. State of Israel Mr Rivlin and his delegation joined us Today our nations alongside the entire world are today in this hall. facing new challenges of fighting against international The modern Lithuania, Mr Speaker, greatly ap- terrorism. preciates the contribution of Lithuanian Jews into the I believe that Lithuania and Israel will find new industry, economy and culture of our country. ways for the development of mutual dialogue, coop- We are proud of the illustrious history of the eration between our parliaments and other public Litvaks and our centuries-long neighbourly co-exist- bodies in tackling most thorny topical issues. I be- ence. We are only very well aware of the tragedy of lieve that we will look at each other with good will Lithuanian Jews, because it was also the tragedy of and tolerance, because we strive towards achieving the Lithuanian people. The tragedy of the entire state the same goal – peace and security of our nations, of Lithuania, in which the life of the absolute major- people and states. ity of the Lithuanian Litvaks was irreversibly erased. Thank you for your attention. Mr Speaker, The world has changed, and Lithuania has been irreversibly transformed with it. Today, I address you as a Lithuanian of the 21st century, a citizen of a POSITION OF THE LITHUANIAN Lithuania that took a clear course for democracy and PARLIAMENT ON THE TREATY tolerance; as a Lithuanian of the country that is pain- ESTABLISHING A CONSTITUTION fully aware of its losses and mistakes of the past, the country that condemns xenophobia and national, ra- FOR EUROPE cial and religious hatred. Lithuania is the country where all communities On 25 September, a discussion on the position of live side by side in peace, seeking and finding com- Lithuania in the Intergovernmental Conference on mon points, complementing and enriching one an- the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe other. Today, we are building our state on the basis was held at the sitting of the Seimas. Chairman of of European values. We are building a state that is the Seimas Committee on European Affairs Vytenis not afraid to face its past, without skipping the most Povilas Andriukaitis, Prime Minister Algirdas painful history bumps. We must know the darkest Mykolas Brazauskas, Undersecretary of the Minis- pages of our history so that we could put on the try of Foreign Affairs Rytis Martinkonis, members light: of the Seimas took part in the debate. The extraor- the light that would expose all those whose hands dinary sitting of the Seimas held on the issue (on 25 are covered in innocent blood; September) produced the Resolution on the Posi- the light that would open the eyes of all those who tion of the Republic of Lithuania at the Intergov- live oblivious of the real truth. ernmental Conference on the Issue of the Constitu- One cannot have a future without knowing the tion for Europe (voting results: for – 47, against – 2, past. The past without gaps, without glossed-over or abstained – 8).
17 PLENARY SITTINGS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
SEIMAS OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
RESOLUTION ON THE POSITION OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA AT THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE ON THE ISSUE OF THE CONSTITUTION FOR EUROPE 25 September 2003 Vilnius
The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, ions in the discussions regarding the institutions and having regard to: therefore proposes to seek agreement: Resolution of the Seimas of 19 December 2001 - to retain the institutional balance of the Euro- “On Lithuania’s Negotiations for EU Accession”; pean Union; Resolution of the Seimas of 4 July 2002 “Regard- - to support further improvement of the legisla- ing the Debates on the Future of Europe”; and tive process ensuring its openness, democracy and Resolution of the Seimas of 29 May 2003 “On the transparency, and making legislation more under- Discussion on the Future of Europe”; standable to EU citizens; having read the Draft Treaty Establishing a Con- - to approve of the double qualified majority sys- stitution for Europe adopted by the European Con- tem based on equal proportions of the EU Member vention on the Future of Europe; States and the number of the population for reach- having considered the views of the Government of ing qualified majority at the Council. If an agreement the Republic of Lithuania in respect of the approval on this issue cannot be reached, the decision-making of the Draft Treaty Establishing a Constitution for system by qualified majority provided for in the Nice Europe to be discussed at the Intergovernmental Con- Treaty, reflecting an adequate balance between big, ference of the European Union; medium and small member states, should be given having listened to the opinions of the political preference; groups of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania - not to approve of the proposal to reduce the and of the members of the Seimas concerning the minimum number of members of the European Par- approval of the Draft Treaty Establishing a Constitu- liament; tion for Europe to be discussed at the Intergovern- - to retain the provisions laid down in the Draft mental Conference of the European Union; Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe defin- noting the enormous significance of the Draft ing the role of national Parliaments in the process of Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe for both European integration; the European Union and Lithuania; - to retain the principle that each Member State realising that it is the Government of the Repub- of the European Union should have a European lic of Lithuania that has to assume a major role and Commissioner with an equal status; responsibility for the results of Intergovernmental - to seek that the competencies and functions of Conference; the President of the European Council should be ex- recommends to the Government of the Republic plicitly defined and that the European Council chaired of Lithuania to adhere to the following points in its by him should be convened not only in Brussels; position at the Intergovernmental Conference: recommends to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania to take an active part in the Intergov- - the Draft Treaty Establishing a Constitution for ernmental Conference; Europe adopted by the European Convention on the draws the attention of the Government of the Re- Future of Europe is a good basis for starting in the public of Lithuania to the necessity to provide the Intergovernmental Conference and it should be re- public with extensive information about the Draft tained as such; Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe and to - the quality of the results of the Intergovernmen- set aside appropriate funding for the purpose; tal Conference is more important than closing it by urges Lithuania’s political parties, interest groups, the end of 2003; NGOs and the entire civil society to give due atten- - the Christian roots of Europe might be men- tion to the Draft Treaty Establishing a Constitution tioned in the Preamble of the Draft Treaty Establish- for Europe and to seriously prepare for Lithuania’s ing a Constitution for Europe; membership in the European Union. draws the attention of the Government of the Re- CHAIRMAN OF THE SEIMAS public of Lithuania to the fact that the EU member OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA states and the acceding countries hold divergent opin- ARTÛRAS PAULAUSKAS 18 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) PLENARY SITTINGS
When approving the document the members of the Seimas clashed over the reference to the roots of European Christianity in the preamble of the Draft Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe. The disa- greements prompted the Parliamentary Group of the Homeland Union – Conservatives and part of the opposition Parliamentary Group of the Liberals and Centre Union to boycott the vote.
AADOPTED LLAWS AND DDECREES
4 September. Law Amending and Supplementing This document approves a new make-up of the the Law on Petitions. Voting results: for – 88, ab- Science Council of Lithuania (it consists of 32 persons). stained - 1. According to the Statute approved by the Seimas, This law establishes the right for citizens over 16 the Council of Science is the expert and consultant in years of age to present to the Seimas, the Govern- scientific issues of the Government and the Seimas. ment and municipalities petitions on issues of pro- Prof. Eugenijus Butkus who was approved in the post tection of human rights and freedoms, reforms of of the Chairman of the Council noted that all the governmental structures and institutions and other questions related to science in a broad sense of the issues that are important to the society, self-govern- word – including all research and maybe even issues ment and the state. related to secondary schools – are going to be solved The right to petition is established by Paragraph by the Council, which is going to provide all neces- 3 of Article 33 of the Constitution, but the Constitu- sary professional information. tion does not establish the age limit. The initiator of the draft law is Chairman of the Committee on Hu- 16 September. Law Amending Articles 2, 3, 5, 9, man Rights Gediminas Dalinkevièius. 10, 11 and 12 of the Law on Food and Supplementing the Law with an Annex. Voting results: for – 41. 4 September. As a matter of great urgency the Amendments to the Law on Food were drafted in Law on Purchase of Shares of “Alytaus Tekstilë” was accordance with the regulations and directives of the adopted. Voting results: for – 61, against – 1, abstained European Parliament and European Council. This – 8. law applies to natural persons and legal entities who This law provides the Government with the pos- are handling and/or catering food to market, also to sibility to purchase 47.71 per cent of the shares of state enterprises that supervise and control food “Alytaus Tekstilë” from Hong Kong company safety, quality and handling. The provisions of this “Asean Interests Limited” which fails to meet its law cannot obstruct access to the market of food that is obligations. After the transaction the state would legally produced and presented in the market in one of own 59.13 per cent of the shares of the company the countries of the European Union or European Eco- and more than ½ of votes in the General Sharehold- nomic Zone and that meets the respective safety, qual- ers’ Meeting. At present the state owns 11.82 per ity and handling standards. cent of shares. This law will not apply to the food that is trans- According to Minister of Economy Petras Èësna, ported through Lithuania by transit, except for the the main aim of this legal act is to prevent imminent cases where the transportation of transit cargo may employment and social problems in Alytus town that involve damage to people’s health and risk related to may arise due to the especially difficult situation in contagious diseases spread by animals. this public limited company. During the discussions the opposition expressed 18 September. Seimas Resolution on the Agenda doubts whether this decision was the best one and of the 7th (Autumn) Session of the Seimas. Voting voiced concern that by purchasing the shares the results: for – 61, against – 5, abstained – 9. Government might have to undertake company’s In the approved agenda of the session there are obligations which amount to tens of millions of litas. over 200 draft laws and resolutions, 90 out of this number are related to European integration. 11 September. Seimas Resolution on Appointing Members of Science Council of Lithuania. Voting 18 September. Law on Insurance. Voting results: results: for – 57, abstained – 7. for – 60, abstained – 4.
19 ADOPTED LAWS AND DECREES Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
The purpose of this European integration law is main principles of the state regulation of this ac- to harmonise the legal norms that regulate insurance tivity, provides guidelines for this activity and stand- and activities of insurance agents with the European ards that private or public limited liability compa- Union law. This law also provides that from the day nies or European companies that engage in insur- Lithuania enters the European Union the existing ance or act as independent insurance agents have prohibition for the insurance market of the Republic to comply with. This law also regulates conditions of Lithuania to participate in the domestic market of of pre-contractual relations of the parties to an in- the European Union is to be cancelled. surance contract, principles of relations that arise The law specifies the persons who have the right in the course of the implementation of the contract to participate in insurance and reinsurance activ- or are related to it as well as other relations speci- ity in the Republic of Lithuania establishes the fied in the law.
RRATIFIED INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTS
9 September. Law on the Ratification of Agreement 9 September. Law on the Ratification of the United of the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Ice- Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and Agree- land, Principality of Liechtenstein and Kingdom of ment Relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the Norway on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance 10 December 1982 United Nations Convention on the of Industrial Products. Voting results: for – 87. Law of the Sea. Voting results: for – 88.
THE SEIMAS OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA RATIFIED EU ACCESSION TREATY
16 September. Following Subparagraph 16 of Article 67 and Subparagraph 6 of Paragraph 1 of Article 138 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania and taking into account the nation’s will expressed in the referendum on 10-11 May 2003 as well as President’s Decree No. 184 of 21 August 2003, the Seimas of
20 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) RATIFIED INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTS the Republic of Lithuania ratified the Treaty signed ratified in the present Member States of the Euro- in Athens on 16 April 2003 between the Kingdom pean Union and future Member States in accordance of Belgium, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Federal with their constitutional provisions. Ratification docu- Republic of Germany, the Hellenic Republic, the ments shall be deposited to the government of the Kingdom of Spain, the French Republic, Ireland, Republic of Italy no later than 30 April 2004. The the Italian Republic, the Grand Duchy of Luxem- Accession Treaty shall enter into force on 1 May 2004 bourg, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Repub- if all the ratification documents are deposited till the lic of Austria, the Portuguese Republic, the Repub- afore-mentioned date. lic of Finland, the Kingdom of Sweden, the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland (Mem- 16 September. Law on the Ratification of the ber States of the European Union) and the Czech Agreement of the Government of the Republic of Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of the Kingdom of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Belgium on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic Customs Matters. Voting results: for-62. of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic concerning the 18 September. Law on the Ratification of Deci- accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of sion III/1 of the Conference of Countries of 1989 Basel Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Convention on the Control of Transboundary Move- Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of ments of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of (Amendment of Basel Convention). Voting results: Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak for – 66. Republic to the European Union. Voting results: for- 84, against-2, abstained- 1. 18 September. Law on the Ratification of the Con- vention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution This document takes into account a proposal put for- Protocol Regarding the Financing of Cooperation ward by the Seimas Committee on European Affairs to Programme in Monitoring and Assessment of Long- supplement Chapter 1 of Draft Law on Ratification by Range Transboundary Air Pollution in Europe the following words “taking into account the nation’s (EMEP). Voting results: for – 70. will expressed in the referendum on 10-11 May 2003”. Accession Treaty ratified as a matter of great ur- 18 September. Law on the Ratification of gency shall become the legal basis for Lithuania’s Cartagena Protocol on Bio Safety of the Convention membership in the European Union. of Biological Diversity. Voting results: for – 71.
Procedure of ratification and entry into force of 23 September. Law on the Ratification of the Stat- the Accession Treaty is provided for in Chapters 2 utes of the World Tourism Organisation. Voting re- and 3 of the Treaty. The Accession Treaty has to be sults: for – 70, abstained 1.
SSEIMAS BEGAN DDELIBERATION
2 September. Draft Law on the Production Tax of the Republic of Lithuania who produce quota white for Quota Sugar and Additional Tax on Sugar Pro- sugar. The tax rate of quota sugar production is calcu- duction No. IXP-2770 ES. lated per one quota tonne of white sugar and is equal The Draft Law on the Production Tax for Quota to 2 per cent of white sugar intervention price. If the Sugar and Additional Tax on Sugar Production pro- funds collected from sugar production tax are insuffi- poses to establish taxes for white sugar produced within cient to pay compensations for the exported quota the white sugar quota that was allocated to Lithuania white sugar, the European Commission may set the as a result of negotiations with the European Com- rate of tax on sugar production. Taxes shall be payable mission and to establish the procedure, control of pay- to the state budget and transferred to the EU budget. ment of the tax on the production of quota white sugar and of surplus sugar production tax as well as liability 2 September. Draft Law Amending Articles 16, in the case of the breach of this law. The draft law stipu- 17, 19, 39, 41, 42, 43 and 46 and on Supplementing lates that the taxes have to be paid by sugar producers the Law on Public Service No.IXP-2769.
21 THE SEIMAS BEGAN DELIBERATIONS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
The purpose of this law is to prepare the public ing the Law on the Legal Status of the Victims of service for the European integration processes and Occupations of 1939-1990 No. IXP-2616; Draft Law establish measures that would encourage Lithuanian Amending the Law on the Legal Status of Defenders officials working at the international institutions and of Independence and Other Persons who Suffered organisations as well as the institutions and agencies from Aggression Acts Committed by the USSR on of the European Union to return to the public service 11-13 January 1991 and following that Date No. IXP- of the Republic of Lithuania. According to the explana- 2617; Draft Law Amending the Law on the Legal Sta- tory letter, the experience of former public servants tus of the Participants of the Resistance to the Occu- who have won competitions in the international or- pations of 1940-1990 No. IXP-2618. ganisations and institutions as well as the institutions These drafts were prepared by the working group and agencies of the European Union and who went to formed upon the decision of the Seimas Board. The work in these institutions after resigning from their provisions of these laws define the concept of a par- official positions in Lithuania would be extremely valu- ticipant in the resistance struggle against the occupa- able to the public service sector of the Republic of tion regimes of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, Lithuania. Therefore, it is proposed that these persons a volunteer, participant in the fight for freedom and could be returned to state service under a simplified persons falling into this category and establish the procedure, that is, their status of a public servant could main criteria for the recognition of the legal status of be re-established without competition. Also, there is a the participants in the resistance struggle. suggestion to establish that the period of work that an Also it is recommended to extend the period of official has spent working in the international organi- occupation – from 1939 when Germany occupied the sations or institutions as well as the institutions and Klaipëda Region until the declaration of the Inde- agencies of the European Union be included into the pendence Act of the Republic of Lithuania on 11 service record of Lithuania. March 1990. In accordance with the explanatory let- ter this law would re-establish justice for many peo- 2 September. Draft Law on One-Time Property ple who engaged in activities in support of Lithua- Declaration of Residents No.IXP-2737. nian independence, territorial unity and public spirit The purpose of this law is to introduce a one-time before 15 June 1940 and afterwards were severely declaration of property owned under the right of persecuted. This draft law preserves the status rec- ownership and available monetary resources (further ognized for the participants of the resistance move- – property) of the residents. ment and also provides for recognition of a special The draft law stipulates that declarations should legal status for nationally-minded representatives of be filed only by the persons who are permanent resi- Lithuanian intelligentsia who were persecuted be- dents in Lithuania. cause of the resistance to the Nazi invasion, for the Suggestion is made to declare the following property: most active participants of the Lithuanian Reform cash in banks and other credit institutions and institu- Movement (Sàjûdis) who suffered persecution of the tions other than banks or other credit institutions when repressive structures of the USSR. the overall amount exceeds LTL 40,000; amounts that were borrowed and are not repaid if the overall amount On 9 September, Minister of Economy Petras exceeds LTL 2,000; securities if the their total value Èësna submitted a Draft Law Amending Law on To- exceeds LTL 2,000; unfinished building or other ob- bacco Control and Repealing Law on Implementing ject of real estate title to which has not yet been regis- Law on Tobacco Control No.IXP-2802 ES. tered in the Register of Real Estate, also any object of The draft law of new wording is aimed at reduc- real estate in a foreign country if Lithuanian laws es- ing the consumption of tobacco products in Lithua- tablish compulsory legal registration for the object of nia. The submitted law was drafted taking into ac- this kind; works of art, precious stones, jewellery, no- count the provisions of the Framework Convention ble metals, a unit whereof exceeds LTL 10,000 in value; on Tobacco Control and data provided by the World and property which a permanent resident of Lithua- Health Organisation on the tendency of increasingly nia considers to be valuable. younger persons starting to smoke in all world coun- Under the draft law, the property declarations tries, including Lithuania. National measures of le- established by the Draft Law on One-Time Property gal regulation provided by the Draft Law on Tobacco Declaration of Residents should be presented until 1 Control seek to not only reduce the consumption of May 2005. tobacco products, its negative impact on residents’ health and economy, but also to minimize the avail- 4 September. Member of the Seimas Algimantas ability of tobacco products, especially for juvenile per- Valentinas Indriûnas presented a Draft Law Amend- sons under 18.
22 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) THE SEIMAS BEGAN DELIBERATIONS
The submitted document envisages the ban for The tax reliefs in question are related to the profit manufacturers of tobacco products or enterprises tax. A tax relief, namely a zero rate of profit tax, is of- whose main area of activities includes trading tobacco fered for cooperative companies engaged in agricultural products to sponsor radio programmes as well as ac- activities not only in cases when the cooperative itself is tivities or events involving or taking place in several engaged in agricultural activities, but also in cases when countries or otherwise having influence outside the the cooperative sells the production of its members. Such territorial boundaries of the Republic of Lithuania. being the case the tax relief could be applied not only The provisions of the European Parliament and to an individual agricultural entity, but also to coop- Council Directive 2001/37/EC regulating the level of erated entities. This could ease the sale of agricul- tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarettes are tural produce. also reflected in the draft law. Suggestion is made to The draft specifies that the tax relief could be ap- establish that the level of nicotine shall not exceed 1 plied if the revenue from agricultural and trade ac- milligram per cigarette, tar - 10 milligrammes and tivities constituted at least 85 per cent of the revenue. carbon monoxide - 10 milligrammes respectively. It is also suggested to define the list of services for Such levels will apply to the cigarettes manufactured agriculture, which is important as far as taxation is and sold in Lithuania or imported into Lithuania from concerned. 1 May 2004 and to the exported cigarettes as of 1 January 2007. 23 September. Draft Law Supplementing Article So far the level of nicotine and carbon monoxide 9 of the Republic of Lithuania Law on the Protection in cigarettes has not been limited in the Republic of of Minors against Detrimental Effect of Public In- Lithuania. The effective legal acts have regulations formation No.IXP-2864. on the level of tar which cannot exceed 12 The amendment classes the municipalities as in- milligrammes per cigarette as of 1 January 2003. stitutions that along with the Inspector of Journalist The draft law retains the effective provision of Ethics bear responsibility for the implementation of the Law on Tobacco Control that “Tobacco prod- the provisions of the Law on the Protection of Minors uct advertising as well as surreptitious advertising against Detrimental Effect of Public Information. of tobacco products shall be prohibited in the Re- According to the initiators of the draft law (Minis- public of Lithuania”. It will also be prohibited to try of Culture), the institutions responsible for the sell tobacco products in vending machines; using monitoring of the implementation of the provisions of communication means; in retail enterprises whose the Law on the Protection of Minors against Detri- children’s products constitute 50 or more per cent mental Effect of Public Information noticed in the of the retail turnout; in pharmaceutical enterprises, course of their activities that more has to be done about health care, educational or cultural institutions, external advertising and public events held in the ter- internet cafes (internet clubs and the like); for per- ritories of the municipalities to protect minors from sons under 18. detrimental effect of public information. Whereas the provisions of the Law on the Protection of Minors from On 11 September, Vice-Minister of Finance Vitas Detrimental Effect of Public Information apply to ad- Vasiliauskas submitted a Draft Law Amending and vertising as well (Article 8), Article 9 is supplemented Supplementing Articles 2 and 58 of Law on Profit by adding executive institutions of municipalities in Tax No.IXP-2823, Draft Law Amending Article 4 of order to achieve legal precision and clarity. Law on the Financing Road Maintenance and Devel- opment Programme No.IXP-2824, Draft Law Amend- 25 September. Member of the Seimas Algirdas ing Article 129 of the Law on VAT No.IXP-2825 and Gricius submitted a Draft Law Amending Article 4 Draft Law Amending Article 5 of the Law on the Tax of the Law on International Operations, Military on the Immovable Property of Enterprises and Or- Exercises and Other Military Cooperation Events ganisations No.IXP-2826. Vice-Minister underlined No.IXP-2873. The author of the draft law proposed that the main objective of submitting the above men- to remove from the law the provisions allowing en- tioned package of laws is to encourage cooperatives, listing the servicemen of initial mandatory military entities engaged in agricultural activities to cooperate. service to the international operations military units. The tax reliefs offered to cooperatives could serve as The draft law also calls on putting into law the provi- an incentive since they would establish favourable sion that professional servicemen, active reserve con- conditions to develop cooperation between agricul- scripts and persons assigned to individual mobilisa- tural entities and other agricultural producers, to raise tion reserve of the armed forces accepted to an inter- more possibilities for cooperative producers to com- national operation military unit on a voluntary basis pete in domestic and foreign markets. be given respective training.
23 THE SEIMAS BEGAN DELIBERATIONS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
The author of the draft law believes that the pro- eration. The Parliament also approved the proposal posed amendments would ensure that only persons by Deputy Chairman of the Seimas Vytenis Povilas with enough of knowledge and skills for interna- Andriukaitis to ask for the conclusions of the Gov- tional military operations would take part in these ernment and opinion of the President of the Repub- operations. The amendments are also to reduce the lic of Lithuania on the said draft law. dangers posed to the success of the operations and the servicemen themselves and related to the par- 25 September. Draft Law Supplementing Section ticipation of the servicemen of initial military serv- IV of the Republic of Lithuania Law on Advertising ice prepared over a short period of time in the op- by Article 17 No.IXP-2820, which demands an ad- erations. vance notice about the performance with the use of The Seimas decided to accept the amendment phonograms in the posters advertising at paid con- upon submission and start the procedure of delib- certs and other public events.
IINTERNATIONAL RRELATIONS
PARLIAMENTARIANS OF SOUTH CAUCASUS SEEK TO TAKE OVER THE EXPERIENCE OF REGIONAL COOPERATION FROM LITHUANIA
Meeting of First Deputy Chairman of the Seimas Èeslovas Jurðënas (on the right, standing) and Chairman of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs Gediminas Kirkilas with parliamentarians of the South Caucasus States in the White Hall of the Seimas
A delegation of the parliamentarians* of the coun- governmental organisation of the United Kingdom**, tries, participating in the activity of the South Cau- visited the Seimas on 5 August. casus Parliamentary Initiative (SCPI), including the The aim of the visit was to take a closer look at members of Armenian, Azerbaijani and Georgian the experience of regional cooperation of the Baltic parliaments and the representatives of LINKS, a non- States that are thought to have survived post-Soviet
24 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS period and seen as rapidly implementing democratic, * Delegation of the South Caucasus Parliamentary economic and structural reforms. Initiative: Vakhtang Kolbaia (Deputy Chairman of the The regional cooperation initiative 3+3 raised by Parliament of Georgia); Zviad Mukbaniani (Chairman of Chairman of the Seimas Artûras Paulauskas in 2002 the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Parliament of Georgia); Mamed Mamedov (Member of the Parliament of may serve as a concrete example of regional coop- Georgia); Givi Sugarov and David Koghuashvili (Members eration: Chairman of the Seimas proposed to develop of the Parliament of Georgia); George Simonishvili and the cooperation of three Baltic States with three South Lasha Darsalia (Representatives of the Secretariat of Caucasus States (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) Georgia); Agabek Asgerov (Deputy Chairman of the that are striving towards democracy, respect for hu- Parliament of Azerbaijan); Gular Ahmadova (Member of man rights and freedoms and developing market the Parliament of Azerbaijan); Amin Aliyev (Advisor of the economy. Parliament of Azerbaijan); Tigran Torosyan (Deputy Chairman of the Parliament of Armenia); Audrey Glover South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative delega- (United Kingdom, Chairman of the LINKS Council of Counsellors); Dennis Sammut (United Kingdom, LINKS tion met upon arrival in Lithuania First Deputy Executive Director); Sephen Nash (United Kingdom Chairman of the Seimas Èeslovas Jurðënas, Chair- LINKS Board Member); Julian Broxup (United Kingdom, man of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Gedimi- LINKS South Caucasus Coordinator). nas Kirkilas, Seimas Delegation to the Baltic As- sembly headed by the member of the Seimas Gied- ** At the beginning of 2001, the British non-governmen- rë Purvaneckienë. tal organisation assisted by the British Government and First Deputy Chairman of the Seimas introduced Parliament initiated the formation of the South Caucasus the guests to the structure of the Seimas of the cur- Parliamentary Initiative whose main purpose was to establish rent term, the system of parliamentary elections, a trilateral cooperation among the parliaments of the countries in the South Caucasus. Due to this initiative the briefed on the agenda highlights of the autumn ses- meetings of the delegations of the Armenian, Azerbaijani and sion of the Seimas related to Lithuanian integration Georgian parliaments were held on June 2002 in the United into the EU and NATO. The meeting also covered Kingdom. The meeting participants voiced their resolution to Lithuanian economy, formation of state budget and develop the contacts among three countries on the parliamen- developments in privatisation. Parliamentarians of tary level. During the second meeting the parliamentarians of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan were interested in the South Caucasus Region signed a Memorandum of the impact of the introduction of a visa regime to Understanding, where they stressed their responsibility in Russian citizens coming through Lithuania to and solving regional problems. Despite possible pitfalls related to from the Kaliningrad Region. political situation in the South Caucasus, the authors and participants of the Initiative decided that the activity of the After the meeting with First Deputy Chairman Initiative has to be transferred to the region. The third of the Seimas Èeslovas Jurðënas the representa- meeting of the South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative took tives of the South Caucasus Parliamentary Initia- place in February 2003 in Tbilisi. Due to the public disagree- tive and Seimas Delegation to the Baltic Assembly ments between Armenian and Azerbaijani delegations no (BA) held a dialogue. The parliamentarians of joint document was signed, but the work continued. After the Lithuania were interested in the state of regional meeting LINKS continued to maintain active contacts with cooperation in the South Caucasus and the coop- the leadership of the three parliaments and one more meeting eration among Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. took place on 13 May in Tbilisi, where the Memorandum was Lithuanian parliamentarians stressed the impor- signed and future joint actions planned. The parliamentary initiative was described as the basis for the dialogue, contacts, tance of the development of bilateral cooperation, exchange of opinions of the parliaments of the three coun- disregarding the problems in bilateral relations. In tries. The document called for staging plenary meetings one in the opinion of the parliament members, the devel- every six months, where ten deputies representing each opment of regional cooperation could significantly country would take part, and hold quarterly sittings of the strengthen the arguments of the supporters of the presidency. Three working groups were established to discuss South Caucasus seeking more favourable treatment the following issues: role of the parliaments in encouraging from the Western partners. the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts, natural resources and environment, development of a democratic state and The participants of the discussion, who exchanged European integration. The Council of Europe, OSCE and the European the ideas about the achievements of the Baltic States Union threw their political support behind the South integrating into the EU structures, the EU “New Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative. From March 2001 to Neighbours” policy, political and regional processes June 2003, the Initiative was mostly funded by the Govern- in the South Caucasus and cooperation of this region, ment of the United Kingdom through the Conflict Preven- issued a joint communiqué (see p. 26). tion Fund; Dutch and Swiss Governments also allocated additional funding.
25 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
Issued by the Lithuanian Chairmanship of the Baltic Assembly and the Presidium of the South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative,
Vilnius, 5th August 2003
At the invitation of the Lithuanian Chairmanship of the Baltic Assembly, the Presidium of the South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative visited Lithuania 4-5 August 2003 and were received by the leadership of the Lithuanian Parliament and the Lithuanian Chairmanship of the Baltic Assembly.
The Baltic and South Caucasus Parliamentarians exchanged views on the current international situation, the progress of the Baltic States in integration with European structures, the European Union “New Neighbours” policy, political and regional processes in the South Caucasus and co-op- eration between their structures.
The Lithuanian Chairmanship of the Baltic Assembly welcomed the establishment of the South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative as a framework for dialogue, contacts, exchange of views and joint analyses between the Parliaments of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The Lithuanian Chairman- ship of the Baltic Assembly declared its readiness to assist the development of SCPI, by holding joint seminars to provide for sharing experiences on issues of mutual interest as well as by assisting the development of the Secretariat of SCPI.
The Presidium of the South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative congratulated the governments, parliaments and people of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania for the success they have registered in their declared goal of full integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures.
The representatives of the Baltic Assembly declared their support for the efforts of the South Caucasus States to increase their co-operation with European structures. The Baltic parliamentarians reaffirmed their desire to see the European Union pay full attention to the region of the South Cauca- sus, and particularly to see the European Union integrate the South Caucasus into its new “New Neighbours” policy.
The representatives of the Baltic Assembly called on the parliaments of the South Caucasus to increase their efforts to consolidate democracy in the countries of the South Caucasus and to work for the peaceful resolution of unresolved conflicts in the region.
The two sides agreed that the meeting of the first session of the Presidium of the South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative in Riga and the visit to Latvia and Lithuania is an important expression of the special relationship between the Caucasus and Baltic regions, a relationship based on common his- torical experiences, pride in their national heritage and shared goals for a future based on peace, democracy and international harmony.
26 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
OIL PLATFORM TO BE EXPLOITED DRAWS ATTENTION OF PALANGA MEETING PARTICIPANTS
Participants of the meeting on the Palanga bridge
On 24-26 August the Speakers and Secretaries the Baltic States their own experience in carrying out General of the Nordic and Baltic Parliaments met parliamentary scrutiny of national government ac- in Palanga. This is a traditional meeting of the heads tions when issues related to the EU membership are of the Nordic and Baltic Parliaments, which for the being resolved. first time was held in Lithuania. The Speakers of the Parliaments underlined that The participants of the Meeting voiced a unani- it is very important to establish closer possible rela- mous opinion that meetings of such format have been tions between the political parties of the States of and continue to be particularly important. Close co- the Region when developing regional co-operation operation between the Baltic and Nordic States fur- between the Nordic and Baltic States. nishes an excellent example of how regional matters An idea was generated at the Meeting that NB-8 can be co-ordinated, which may become a sound countries would be able to provide a new impulse in foundation for the creation of the Nordic political the promotion of strengthening of closer relations and economic region, aiming at integrating North- between Europe and the USA. ern Dimension into European co-operation. The Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas also drew During the Meeting the Speakers of the Parlia- attention of the participants of the Meeting to the ments discussed the forms of co-operation of national intentions of the Lukoil Company to start extract- parliaments in the enlarged European Union, the role ing oil in oil platform D-6 located in the Baltic Sea, of the parliaments in the preparation for the EU in the immediate vicinity of the Curonian Spit, in- Intergovernmental Conference, the passing-on of re- cluded in the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well gional co-operation experience of the Nordic and as to possible negative environmental impact for the Baltic States to other states. countries of the Baltic Sea Region.* The Speakers of the Parliaments agreed that it is necessary to strengthen the role of national parlia- The Speakers of the Parliaments accepted the in- ments in the enlarged European Union, to co-ordi- vitation extended by the Speaker of the Parliament nate activities of the representatives of their respec- of Denmark to hold the next meeting of the Speak- tive countries in the European Parliament, to har- ers of the Nordic and Baltic Parliaments in Denmark monise their positions after the accession of the Bal- in the year 2005. tic States to the European Union. Press release It was also agreed to organise a seminar-discus- sion in which the parliamentarians of Denmark, Fin- *See for the entire speech by Chairman of the Seimas Artûras land and Sweden would convey to the colleagues from Paulauskas in p 36.
27 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
Application of Latest Technologies in Klaipëda Seaport Raised Special Interest of Parliamentary Leaders
Chairman of the Seimas Artûras Paulauskas at Klaipëda Seaport
25 August. Parliamentary leaders of the Baltic and Nordic States, accompanied by Chairman of the Seimas Artûras Paulauskas to Klaipëda, listened to a report by Director General of Klaipëda State Seaport Author- ity Sigitas Dobilinskas on board the navy ship Vëtra. The head of the seaport introduced the guests to the plan of the seaport development. Mr. Dobilinskas in- formed that the seaport had a stevedoring capacity of 20 million tons, i.e. was holding the 4th rank among other seaports of the Eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. Mr. Dobilinskas also said that the landing stage of the port was renovated in 2002, named the major stevedoring companies, operating in the port and talked about the development of cruise shipping (there are 32 cruise ships). The heads of the foreign parliaments showed inter- est in the fact that the companies, operating in the Klaipëda Seaport, were applying more state-of-the-art technologies as compared with other ports. After the report by Director General of Klaipëda State Sea Port Authority Dobilinskas the parliamen- Björn von Sydov, the Speaker of the Swedish tarians were given an opportunity to take a look at the Parliament (Riksdag) seaport from board the ship and continue their discus- and Jorgen Kosmo, President of the Norvegian sions on regional economic and military cooperation. Parliament (Storting) 28 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Gediminas Kirkilas on Lithuanian Relations with the Kaliningrad Region in the Context of Regional Cooperation
26 August. Chair- Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs man of Committee on of the Seimas, reminding about the issue voiced in Foreign Affairs of the the international event by Chairman of the Seimas Seimas, Ambassador Artûras Paulauskas on the exploitation of oil plat- Gediminas Kirkilas form D6, said he regretted that there was no spe- spoke in the meeting of cific information about the ways of extracting the parliamentary leaders oil. of the Baltic and Nordic Mr. Kirkilas also stressed that preservation of the States that was resumed landscape of the Curonian Spit was the concern for in Neringa and intro- Lithuania as well as a common responsibility. duced the guests assem- Mr. Kirkilas also said he believed that the absence bled at the Savickas Art of the Chairman of Duma of the Kaliningrad Region Gallery to the develop- Vladimir Nikitin* in the event was politically moti- ments in the relations between the Republic of vated. Lithuania and the Kaliningrad Region of the Rus- The guests were also interested in the prospects sian Federation. of the ties with the Kaliningrad Region in order to The participants of the meeting were reminded ensure control of air space after Lithuania becomes that the smooth cooperation was launched namely in a NATO member. Nida five years before (Nida Initiative). Mr. Kirkilas also reminded about the active forum of Lithuanian * After Chairman of the Seimas Paulauskas initiated a dis- and Kaliningrad Duma parliament members, re- cussion on the Russian plans to exploit oil platform D6, Chair- viewed successful talks on the transit of passenger man of the Duma of the Kaliningrad Region Vladimir Nikitin trains over Lithuania. Mr. Kirkilas said that Lithua- said he would not arrive in Nida (the guest was expected to nia was the first state in the world to conclude with report about the development of the Kaliningrad Region in Russia a readmission agreement. the wake of the latest EU enlargement wave).
FIRST DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE SEIMAS ÈESLOVAS JURÐËNAS RECEIVED VICE-PRESIDENT OF HEWLETT PACKARD
First Deputy Chairman of the Seimas Èeslovas Jurðënas received on 27 August Vice-President of Hewlett Packard (HP) Kaspar Rorsted and told his guest about computer technologies used in the work of the Seimas, where 1/3 of all the technologies have been produced by HP. Deputy parliamentary leader said that it was very important to broadcast live the plenary sittings of the Parliament to regional televisions and Internet as well as to unequivocally announce to the public the results of electronic vote. Mr. Jurðënas also said that parliamentary Search System of Legal Acts was very popular among informa- tion users in Lithuania, adding that the information provided by the Seimas was not used to the full because the public was inadequately equipped with information technologies (IT). The participants of the meeting discussed the encouragement of the IT introduction both in the industry and public institutions and espe- cially in the education institutions. Mr. Jurðënas and Mr. Rorsted noted that the introduction of the latest IT in the context of law harmonisation was to become increasingly more important in the European Union.
DELEGATION OF SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO DISCUSSED AT THE SEIMAS INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION OF SIMILAR PARTIES
27 August. Deputy Chairman of the Seimas Gintaras Steponavièius met the delegation headed by Minis- ter of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and Montenegro Goran Svilanovic. Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas Gediminas Kirkilas also took part in the meeting. Participants of the meeting discussed the prospects of signing bilateral treaties in the areas of security, education, transport and business, talked about opportunities of inter-parliamentary cooperation, ties among
29 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
the parties with similar beliefs. Mr. Steponavièius proposed to form a Parliamentary Group for the Relations with Serbia and Montenegro. Politicians of both countries took interest in the achievements in common priority areas – NATO and European Union integration. Mr. Svilanovic noted that Lithuania compared with other Baltic States has made the biggest progress in the integration. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ser- bia and Montenegro said he hoped that experts of different areas would be able to significantly advance the shared goals of the two countries when cooperat- ing in politics and economy. “We are very interested in the exchange in experts and information that would help us to integrate into the European structures,” Mr. Svilanovic said. Participants of the meeting also discussed the situ- ation in the Balkans, process of democratisation in Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and Montenegro Serbia and Montenegro, relations between Lithua- Goran Svilanovic nia and other candidate countries.
MEETING WITH THE OFFICIALS SERVING AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE SPECIAL FORCES OF THE USA
16 September. The meeting of Chairman of the Committee on National Security and Defence of the Seimas Alvydas Sadeckas (first on the right; second – Lithuanian Commander of Ground Forces Valdas Tutkus) with the USA officers serving at special forces headquarters was held at the Seimas. During the meeting the participants exchanged opinions about the development of Lithuanian special forces and further participation of Lithuania in the international operation in Afghanistan “Enduring Freedom”. 30 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Chairman of the Committee on National Security and Defence of the Seimas Alvydas Sadeckas observed that special forces remains one of the priorities on the agenda of the development of Lithuanian army and he added that in principle parliamentary parties in Lithuania agree on Lithuania’s participation in international operations. Guests presented extremely high evaluation of the preparation of Lithuanian soldiers participating in the operation “Enduring Freedom”. They told that Lithuanian special forces meet the requirements applied to special forces of both NATO and the USA, and that they hope Lithuania was to keep making progress in this field. US Major Ramirez noted that contribution of Lithuanian soldiers to the anti-terrorist campaign proved to be more significant than could be expected from the unit of such size. It is already the second unit of Lithuanian Special Forces that participates in operation in Afghanistan; it consists of 40 soldiers who will finish their mission in November. After emphasising that participation in such anti-terrorist campaigns gives invaluable experience, guests expressed wish that Lithuanian mission in Afghanistan be extended.
SEIMAS WELCOMES THE NEW AMBASSADOR OF THE USA
18 September. First Deputy Chairman of the Seimas Èeslovas Jurðë- nas received the new Ambassador of the United States Stephen Donald Mull. In the meeting the speed at which the Seimas harmonises Lithua- nian laws with the European laws was discussed as well as the process of ratifying treaties in Lithuania’s accession to the European Union and NATO. During the conversation Mr. Jurðënas informed the Ambassador that special delegation of the representatives of the Lithuanian Seimas was going to introduce the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and its activi- ties in the parliaments of the European countries. This campaign should speed up the ratification of accession treaties. The high official of the Parliament presented the overview of the groups responsible for inter- parliamentary relations and stressed active participation of the Seimas delegation in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Mr. Jurðënas also told about the role of the Seimas and American Lithuanian Community in maintaining active political relations with émigrés. First Deputy Chairman was interested in previous diplomatic experience of Mr. Mull, shared interesting incidents in the Parliament’s work, told of the process of drawing up the Seimas agenda, its priorities.
MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENCE WITH THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF GEORGIA
On 22 September, meeting of Alvydas Sadeckas, eration on the parliamentary level, maybe even use Chairman of the Committee on National Security and Vilnius Ten format and experience. Defence, Committee member Gediminas Jakavonis Chairman of the Committee also made a concise and Minister of Defence of Georgia David Tevzadze presentation to guests about the latest developments was held at the Seimas. in the legal framework of the national defence system During the meeting opinions were exchanged that are necessary for Lithuania due to invitations to about the cooperation of Lithuania and Georgia, the join NATO and the European Union and for estab- development of national army reform and experience lishing and implementing the priorities of the army in this field. Chairman of the Committee on National reform – achieving well-prepared and well-armed Security and Defence Alvydas Sadeckas said that with mobile military forces that could operate not only with the increase of cooperation between states it was pos- the forces of Alliance but could also participate in in- sible to think also of the strengthening of the coop- ternational operations of ensuring peace and stability.
31 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
Guests very highly evaluated Lithuania’s experience in seeking NATO membership and Lithuania’s efforts to convey this experience to the coun- tries of South Caucasus. Minister told that Georgia sees the cooperation with the Baltic States as especially important and it extremely values Lithua- nia’s experience of integration into NATO and the EU and of cooperation with other Baltic States. Georgia would like to further intensify contacts with the Baltic States so that international community would hear and understand Georgia. David Tevzadze said that there are plans to continue with the reform of the Ministry of Defence to work towards making it more civilian, he also said that the objective of reforming the military forces was orientation towards the model of professional army. Speaking of the approaching elections to the Parliament, the minister assured that what- ever the election results were, the strategic direction to integrate to NATO was certainly to remain strong because this was the issue that all main The Defence Minister of Georgia political parties agree on. David Tevzadze
MEMBERS OF THE SEIMAS PARTICIPATED IN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL TREATY OF THE EU
On 26 September, Chairman of the Committee on the European Affairs Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Seimas observer at the European Parliament Egidi- jus Vareikis and Seimas representative to the Con- vention Algirdas Gricius participated in a round-ta- ble discussion “Meeting the EU Constitutional Treaty” held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dis- cussion was also attended by a member of the Euro- pean Commission, Commissioner of Justice and Home Affairs Antonio Vitorino; representatives of the European Union states; lecturers of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University. Chairman of the Committee on European Affairs of the Seimas Mr. Andriukaitis said that he consid- ered the great turnout of Lithuanian voters in the ref- erendum regarding the accession to the European Union as the proof that Lithuania needs “active Eu- rope and dynamic EU Constitution”. According to the member of the Parliament, the organisation of referendum regarding the EU accession by Lithua- nia had added to its credit. Member of the European Commission Antonio Vitorino said that it was already too late to change the draft of the European Constitution. “The draft as it is today is the result of eighteen months of work,” said Mr. Vitorino and he stressed that the Conven- tion which had prepared the draft of the Constitution was the example of most transparent work process in Europe. After a discussion Mr. Vitorino met with Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, Minister of the Inte- rior Virgilijus Bulovas, Undersecretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rytis Martinkonis and visited border control post of Medininkai.
32 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) VISITS, MISSIONS, BUSINESS TRIPS
VISITS, MISSIONS, BUSINESS TRIPS
On 8 July – 6 August, members of the Seimas land) on the cooperation of the Baltic Sea Region Gintautas Babravièius and Aleksander Poplavski countries in the background of the European Union visited Archangelsk (Russian Federation). enlargement.
On 27 July – 4 August, Chairman of the Commit- On 27 August – 1 September, Chairman of the tee on Foreign Affairs Gediminas Kirkilas visited Seimas Committee on Social Affairs and Labour Rome, Naples, Porto Venere and Venice (Italian Algirdas Sysas and member of the Seimas Irena Republic) as part of the annual tour of the NATO Degutienë took part in the inaugural meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly. Inter-Parliamentary Union for Social Affairs in Seoul.
On 27 July – 5 August, member of the Seimas On 29-30 August, First Deputy Chairman of the Antanas Napoleonas Stasiðkis took part in the cer- Seimas Èeslovas Jurðënas took part in the events of emonies marking the 50th anniversary of the upris- the “Land of the Lakes” Euroregion in Daugavpils ing of political prisoners in the Vorkuta labour camps (Republic of Latvia). (Russian Federation). On 29 August – 1 September, member of the Seimas On 29 July – 1 August, member of the Seimas Giedrë Purvaneckienë took part in the conference Kazimira Danutë Prunskienë met in Paris experts of “European Union and Gender Equality” held in a French nuclear power plant and discussed nuclear Gotland (Kingdom of Sweden). energy issues. On 30 August – 3 September, member of the Seimas On 21-22 August, member of the Seimas Sigita Burbienë took part in the sitting of the Com- Domininkas Velièka took part in the sitting of the mittee on Economic Affairs and Development of the Committee on Budget and Audit of the Baltic As- Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. sembly held in Riga and Sigulda (Republic of Latvia). Observer of the Seimas in the European Parliament On 22-24 August, member of the Seimas Vytautas Kazys Bobelis on 1-3 September, Mindaugas Bastys, Landsbergis went to Berlin to take part in the pres- Gintaras Didþiokas, Kæstutis Kriðèiûnas, Vytautas entation of Lithuania in the events of the programme Kvietkauskas, Arminas Lydeka, Eugenijus Maldeikis, “Visiting EU Candidate States.” Artur Plokðto, Antanas Valys, Egidijus Vareikis and Birutë Vësaitë on 1–4 September watched in Strasbourg On 24-27 August, Chairman of the Seimas Artûras the proceedings of the European Parliament. Paulauskas took part in the meeting of parliamentary leaders of the parliaments of Nordic and Baltic States On 4-6 September, Deputy Chairman of the Seimas that took place in Palanga (Republic of Lithuania). Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis took part the interna- tional forum “Enlargement of the European Union The head of the Delegation of Observers in the – the First and the Last Stage of Unification” in European Parliament of the Seimas of the Republic Krynica Gorska (Republic of Poland). of Lithuania Birutë Vësaitë and Delegation members Vytautas Landsbergis, Arminas Lydeka on 25-28 Au- On 5-7 September, member of the Seimas Birutë gust, Kazys Bobelis on August 26–28, Gintaras Vësaitë took part in the presentation of the interna- Didþiokas on 26–27 August, Egidijus Vareikis on 26– tional project of Lithuanian and Kaliningrad business- 28 August, Mindaugas Bastys, Kæstutis Kriðèiûnas, women in Kaliningrad (Russian Federation). Vytautas Kvietkauskas, Eugenijus Maldeikis, Artur Plokðto and Antanas Valys on 27–28 August watched On 6-8 September, member of the Seimas Algirdas the proceedings of the European Parliament in Brus- Kunèinas took part in the 12th Baltic Sea Parliamen- sels, while Kæstutis Kuzmickas on 25 August –5 Sep- tary Conference in Oulu (Republic of Finland); on tember watched the proceedings in Brussels and Stras- 4-5 September, member of the Seimas Giedrë bourg. Purvaneckienë took part in the meeting of the work- ing group of the European Commission project “Net- On 27-30 August, Deputy Chairman of the Seimas work for European Women’s Rights” in Helsinki and Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis took part in the inter- on 6-9 September, in the 12th Baltic Sea Parliamen- national seminar in Mariehameena (Republic of Fin- tary Conference in Oulu.
33 VISITS, MISSIONS, BUSINESS TRIPS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
On 6-25 September, Chairman of the Committee Committees and Delegations of the European Par- on Rural Affairs Gintautas Kniukðta took part in the liament “Future of Social Policies in the Enlarged international training in Washington at the invitation Europe.” of the Agricultural Department of the United Na- tions. On 11 September, Deputy Chairman of the Seimas Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis took part in the meet- On 7-9 September, member of the Seimas Jonas ings held in Riga with the Chairman of the European Èekuolis took part in the sittings of the Bureau and Affairs Committee of the Saeima of the Republic of Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly Latvia, teachers of the Lithuanian school, shared ex- of the Council of Europe in Naples and on 10-12 Sep- perience of the preparations for the EU membership tember took part in the sittings of the Monitoring and referendum. Political Affairs Committees of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Paris. On 11-13 September, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Gediminas Kirkilas and member On 8-11 September, member of the Seimas of the Seimas Egidijus Klumbys along with the del- Romanas Algimantas Sedlickas participated in the egation headed by the President of the Republic of sitting of the Defence Committee of the Assembly of Lithuania visited Tbilisi and on 14-16 September vis- the Western European Union and visited an interna- ited Yerevan. tional exhibition of military industry. On 11-14 September, member of the Seimas Rasa Observers of the Seimas in the European Parlia- Juknevièienë took part in the international discus- ment Gintaras Didþiokas, Arminas Lydeka on 8-11 sion in Madrid “Future of Europe and Transatlantic September, while Kæstutis Kuzmickas on 9–11 Sep- Directions: Security in the Global World.” tember, Vytautas Kvietkauskas, Vytautas Lands- bergis, Antanas Valys on 9–10 September, Birutë On 11-18 September, members of the Seimas Julius Vësaitë on 9–12 September, Eugenijus Maldeikis, Sabatauskas and Raimondas Ðukys took part in the Artur Plokðto on 10–11 September watched the pro- 2nd Consultative Assembly of the Parliamentarians ceedings of the European Parliament in Brussels. for the International Criminal Court and solemn com- memoration of the 25th anniversary of the activities On 9-11 September, member of the Seimas Gabriel of the organisation Parliamentarians for Global Ac- Jan Minceviè took part in the sittings of the Commit- tion. tee on Culture, Science and Education of the Parlia- mentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Paris, On 12-15 September, member of the Seimas and on 12-13 September, took part in the sittings of Gediminas Vagnorius took part in the events of the the Committee on the Environment, Agriculture, Lithuanian Day in Austria in Hallein (Republic of Local and Regional Affairs of the Parliamentary As- Austria) at the invitation of the Embassy of the Re- sembly of the Council of Europe. public of Lithuania.
On 9-11 September, member of the Seimas Sigita On 13-17 September, member of the Seimas Jonas Burbienë took part in the sittings of the Monitoring Èekuolis visited Minsk to take part in the seminar of Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the the Interim Committee on Belarus Affairs of the Par- Council of Europe in Paris. liamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and Belarussian parliamentarians. On 9-12 September, member of the Seimas Gintautas Babravièius at the invitation of the Lithua- On 13-18 September, members of the Seimas nian Football Federation watched international foot- Eduardas Kaniava and Janë Narvilienë took part in ball match in Toptier (Faeroe Islands). an international seminar on sexual education of chil- dren and teenagers in Stockholm. On 9-14 September, member of the Seimas Egidijus Vareikis took part in the meeting of the On 13-21 September, Chairman of the Seimas Council of the Association for Parliamentary Ties with Artûras Paulauskas, Deputy Chairman of the Seimas Africa and international conference on the situation Artûras Skardþius, members of the Seimas Kæstutis of human rights in Africa. Glaveckas and Rimantas Sinkevièius visited Beijing and Shanghai. On 10-13 September, members of the Seimas Artûras Melianas and Alfonsas Pulokas took part in On 15-18 September, member of the Seimas the seminar hosted by the Directorate General of the Egidijus Vareikis took part in the meeting of the Po-
34 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) VISITS, MISSIONS, BUSINESS TRIPS litical Group of the European People’s Party and On 17-23 September, member of the Seimas Valerij European Democrats in Madrid. Tretjakov took part in an international congress hosted in Baku by the World Association of Russian On 15-18 September, Chairman of the Seimas Press. Committee of the Development of Information So- ciety Algirdas Kunèinas took part in an international On 19 September, member of the Seimas Egidijus forum in Rome on modern governance, economic Vareikis took part in the seminar “Identification and development and education issues. Understanding of Threats” in Rome.
Members of the Delegation of Observers in the On 19-20 September, member of the Seimas Irena European Parliament of the Seimas of the Republic Ðiaulienë took part in the memorial of Minister of of Lithuania Gintaras Didþiokas, Vytautas Foreign Affairs Anna Lindh held by the Swedish So- Landsbergis on 15-18 September in Madrid, cial Democratic Party in Stockholm. Mindaugas Bastys, Kæstutis Kriðèiûnas, Artur Plokðto, Antanas Valys, Birutë Vësaitë on 15–18 Sep- On 19-21 September, member of the Seimas tember in Bologna (Italian Republic), Arminas Artûras Vazbys took part in the international confer- Lydeka on 17–18 September and Vytautas ence of the leaders of the centre-right parties of the Kvietkauskas on 17–19 September, Eugenijus future European Union Member States in Bratislava. Maldeikis on 16–18 September, Kæstutis Kuzmickas Members of the Seimas Algimantas Matulevièius, on 17–18 September in Brussels watched the proceed- Artûras Vazbys on 21-25 September and Rimantas ings of the European Parliament. Sinkevièius on 22–25 September took part in the small On 15-18 September, member of the Seimas session of the Assembly of the Western European Un- Justinas Karosas along with a governmental delega- ion and international conference “New European tion visited Berlin, Meinz, Dusseldorf and Hanover Security and Defence Policy Scenarios” in Baven. (Federal Republic of Germany). Observers of the Seimas in the European Parlia- On 16-19 September, member of the Seimas Rasa ment Mindaugas Bastys, Kæstutis Kriðèiûnas, Artur Juknevièienë took part in the sittings of the Political Plokðto, Antanas Valys, Birutë Vësaitë on 21-26 Sep- Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in tember and Kazys Bobelis, Gintaras Didþiokas, Paris. Vytautas Kvietkauskas, Arminas Lydeka, Eugenijus Maldeikis, Egidijus Vareikis on 22–25 September, On 16-19 September, member of the Seimas Vaclov Vytautas Landsbergis on 21–25 September and Stankeviè took part in the sitting of the Committee Kæstutis Kuzmickas on 22–26 September watched the on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Parlia- proceedings of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. mentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Edin- burgh (United Kingdom of Great Britain and North- On 25-26 September, member of the Seimas ern Ireland). Gintautas Babravièius took part in the international conference in Warsaw at the invitation of the Polish On 16-20 September, member of the Seimas Open Information Society Institute. Egidijus Skarbalius took part in the international conference hosted by the Marshal Center in Berlin On September 28-29, member of the Seimas Giedrë “Reforms of Defence: Challenges and Opportuni- Purvaneckienë took part in the joint sitting of the ties.” Committee on Social Affairs and women‘s group of the Baltic Assembly in Riga, while member of the On 17-18 September, member of the Seimas Seimas Irena Ðiaulienë took part in the sitting of the Andrius Kubilius took part in the international con- Education, Science and Culture Committee of the ference hosted by the Association of Estonian Infor- Baltic Assembly and Culture, Education and Train- mation Technology and Telecommunications Com- ing Committee of the Nordic Council. panies in Parnu (Republic of Estonia). On September 28-30, Chairman of the Seimas On September 17-20, member of the Seimas Sergej Artûras Paulauskas took part in the opening of the Dmitrijev took part in the in the sitting of the Com- 32nd session of UNESCO. mittee on Migration, Refugees and Demography of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Eu- Drafted referring to the decisions rope. of the Seimas Board
35 CHAIRMAN OF THE SEIMAS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
CCHAIRMAN OF THE SSEIMAS
Speech by Mr Artûras Paulauskas, Chairman of the Seimas at the Meeting of the Speakers of Nordic and Baltic Parliaments in Palanga on 24-26, August 2003 The Role of National Parliaments and Forms of Co-operation in the Enlarged EU; Preparation for the Intergovernmental Conference; Northern Dimension and Regional Nordic-Baltic Co-operation
Close co-operation be- different constitutional traditions in individual Mem- tween the Baltic and Nordic ber States, the major issue pending resolution remains states was and still is a nice how parliamentary scrutiny should be organised in example of good co-ordina- order to ensure maximum accountability of the ex- tion of regional matters. In ecutive power. The quality and legitimacy of decisions view of the fact that Baltic adopted at the EU level should be the focus of the and Nordic membership of enlarged EU. the European Union and It is my belief that effective exchange of informa- NATO differs, NB 8 format tion among national parliaments can successfully con- remains a suitable tool for tribute to parliamentary scrutiny in the fields where the resolution of practical a more intensive dialogue between parliaments could issues by making use of dif- lead to good results. ferent forms of consulta- For that reason I support the Swedish initiative to tions. I believe that the dec- set up a working group for evaluating the contents ade of the Nordic-Baltic co- and mechanisms of further inter-parliamentary co- operation as well as the Bal- operation. tic States membership of the It would also be useful to exchange information EU and NATO may become about the preparation of national parliaments to ful- a sound foundation for the fil the functions assigned to them by the Constitu- creation of a Nordic politi- tional Treaty, which is particularly true about moni- cal and economic region - the forum aiming to de- toring of subsidiarity; about co-ordination of our po- fend the Nordic and Baltic States positions in the sitions concerning the compliance of draft legal acts European Union and the discussion of regional se- proposed by the Commission with the principle of curity issues. subsidiarity (Lithuania has proposed to build an ex- We have chosen a broad topic for our discussion - pert network); about parliaments’ response to docu- strengthening of parliamentary and regional co-opera- ments, received by them directly; about the way of tion. Exercising my right as the host of the event, I debating by parliaments on the draft Constitutional would like to briefly review the items of our concern. Treaty; about controlling actions by national govern- In my view, it is of particular importance to note ments in the European Union; about the change of that we witness the appearance of a wide consensus, COSAC’s work; about resorting to the successful ex- which represents a definite support for the necessity perience of the Convention method in the future, etc. of national parliamentary control over decisions Finally, we, new Members, are very keen to know adopted at the EU level. The executive, however, may how the parliaments of your states used to scrutinise not function in a domestic closed circle. Each national your government representatives in previous Inter- parliament of a Member State should be the main governmental Conferences and to discuss the possi- guarantor of political democracy. Therefore I am con- bility of participation of EU parliament speakers as vinced that the acceding countries have made very observers in the IGC. serious assessments of the experience of the Mem- Thus I would like to suggest that we should con- ber States that have constitutional provisions on ac- sider ways how members of Nordic and Baltic parlia- countability of national governments to parliaments ments can exchange views on the progress of the Inter- concerning the adoption of EU decisions. Lithuania’s governmental Conference (specialised committee political will to that end is clearly pronounced. meetings might be an option). I am of the opinion The role of national parliaments is to ensure the that before the Intergovernmental Conference ends highest possible degree of transparency in the func- we should know all the mechanisms that would en- tioning of the European Union. Nevertheless, despite sure transparency and legitimacy of decision-making.
36 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) CHAIRMAN OF THE SEIMAS
Wellbeing of the citizens of our countries will depend increase the rate of their economic growth, the new on the decisions taken there, therefore I believe that ones could speed up their catching up with the old ones there will be no rush, and the Intergovernmental in socio-economic terms, and the “new neighbours” Conference will end when high quality decisions are would be given a possibility of gaining from the expe- ensured and reached. rience of economic and political reforms. I would like to stress that NB 8 format bears enor- Lithuania can play a particular role in this proc- mous potential in a wider Europe. ess, which would be facilitated by Lithuania being the I believe I am right in saying that co-ordinated external border of the EU, by its geographic close- inter-parliamentary co-operation has also predeter- ness to Belarus and Russia as well as its experience mined growth of both trade and investment as well in maintaining relations with its eastern neighbours as gradual disappearance of political and economic (Russia, Belarus and Ukraine). barriers in the region. Infrastructure, environmental In its efforts to maintain security and ensure wel- protection and prevention of organised crime and il- fare of its people and share experience with coun- legal migration, as well as good-neighbourly relations tries that aim at becoming a part of international or- and common challenges of the region shape its com- ganisations of the democratic world in the future, the mon approach and impact joint actions. Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania makes use of Thus, dear colleagues, it also allows us to rely on different forms of parliamentary co-operation with your support to the projects of our interest and stra- other countries. tegic importance. The latter include the development The Parliamentary Assembly of the Seimas of the of transport infrastructure in the Baltic region (Via Republic of Lithuanian and the Supreme Rada of Baltica and Rail Baltica, which would connect North- Ukraine is under establishment and will have an ad ern, Eastern and Southern Europe by transport cor- hoc group of parliamentarians for exchanging expe- ridors); integration of energy systems into a common rience in EU integration. European energy market (development of a common The Forum of the Inter-parliamentary Group of market of the Baltic States and Poland in the South the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania for Relations and the Baltic States and Finland in the North) in with the Russian Federation and the Duma of order to decrease dependence of national energy sys- Kaliningrad Region functions successfully, and its tems on a single source; and joint actions ensuring meetings discuss the future of the Kaliningrad Region. exchange of experience in developing democracy with The South Caucasus states are interested in the EU neighbours in the East. experience of the Baltic Assembly. We have some- Parliaments have many possibilities of enhancing thing to share, considering that all the three Baltic multilateral and bilateral co-operation, particularly States gained their independence by, first and fore- by elaborating the New Neighbours initiative within most, strengthening regional co-operation and politi- the concept of a Wider Europe. Based on the tradi- cal ties in the region, making efforts to maintain se- tion of parliamentary regional co-operation, we can curity and stability in their states and in the region. successfully promote understanding of European val- And now we are together on the threshold of the EU ues and European world order. and NATO. Therefore, I believe that the initiated idea Interdependence of the EU and the circle of its of co-operation between the three Baltic States and immediate neighbours, i.e. EU neighbours and EU the three states of the South Caucasus under the for- Member States, has already become a reality. How- mula “3 plus 3” would contribute to shaping an ad- ever, this circle is diverse, and so is economic and vanced agenda in the South Caucasus. We cherish political development of the countries it embraces. hope that this would develop into a common initia- Taking that into account, our actions should be tive of all the three Baltic States. individualised to ensure that this circle becomes pros- Lithuania continues to be engaged in specific perous, friendly, and enabling peaceful co-operation. projects with Belarus, such as round-table discussions, The EU will have a common border with the afore- support to non-governmental organisations, workshops mentioned states in the near future. Thus, we should for free media and democratic forces (for both those pursue the goal of strengthening security of our bor- in power and those in opposition), courses for border ders, accelerating economic reforms and establishing control officers and environmental projects relating to business contacts, reducing cross-border differences in the Nemunas River flowing into the Baltic Sea. I would socio-economic development, and solving environmen- invite all of us to think of how we could contribute to tal problems. These efforts would result in a three-fold the democratisation of this country with the assistance benefit to both old and new Member States of the available through format NB 8. European Union and the neighbouring countries that Knowing that we will have an opportunity to dis- are not EU Members. The old EU Members could cuss the Kaliningrad Region in more detail tomor-
37 CHAIRMAN OF THE SEIMAS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) row, I would just like to say that Lithuania is of the tiative. We should not forget that upon accession of opinion that the issues relating to transit to and from Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria the South Caucasus Kaliningrad has been resolved, and now co-opera- will also become a neighbour of the EU. tion between the EU and Russia should move onto I would like to come back to the issue of grave another level with a view of promoting economic and concern for our democratic societies – to Belarus. This social development in the region. At the same time, country leaves nobody indifferent. Belarusian authori- the future of the region depends on Russian authori- ties are unwilling to provide groundwork for demo- ties, more precisely, on how much freedom they will cratic and economic reforms in the country as well as allow the region in domestic, external and economic to normalise their relations with the West. matters. The European Commission’s position ex- I propose that we weigh every possibility of main- pressed in the proposed New Neighbours policy pro- taining relations with Belarus and concentrate our vides a great opportunity to the Kaliningrad Region efforts on initiatives that are aimed at strengthening to bring its legislation in line with that of the EU and civil society and promoting democratic forces, we to make concrete steps towards the promotion of should also focus on reinforcement of the border and progress and prosperity in the region. enhancement of cross-border co-operation, human To have a politically and economically stable contacts and environmental issues. It is important that Ukraine is important for the entire Europe. Ukraine the people of Belarus do not feel isolated but rather is the country that can benefit most from the New see that they are the architects of their own lives. Neighbours initiative provided it uses it in a proper In its relations with the EU, I think, Belarus must way. We believe that we should be actively involved in not only complete the border demarcation process the development of the region and should share our with the EU, but also sign readmission agreements experience of democratic reforms. In this context, I with the EU and other countries. would invite you to think of how we all could, on a To conclude, I would like to highlight a very con- parliamentary level, pass on to Ukraine our experi- tentious issue, which raises concerns not only in ence of European, political and economic integration. Lithuania but also in the entire Baltic Sea region. I The South Caucasus will come in as an extension am talking about oil platform D6, which is located of the New Neighbours initiative for the future. None- next to Lithuania’s border in the immediate vicinity theless, we should pay more attention to this region of the Curonian Spit, included in the UNESCO’s and deepen our co-operation starting with today. World Heritage List. We are worried about the pro- The prospect of co-operation with the EU cre- tection of this unique natural site. Lithuania did pro- ates a more favourable climate for reforms and trans- pose that a joint Lithuanian-Russian expert group be formations in the region. Moreover, it would inspire set up to carry out the environmental impact assess- confidence in the future amongst the local popula- ment of this project. So far, however, we have received tion, which, in its turn, would cultivate public sup- neither a response nor the results of D6 environmen- port for the on-going reforms in the region. Arme- tal assessment by Russian experts. nia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have expressed their The community of Nordic and Baltic States is a willingness to draw on our experience of regional co- community with a broader horizon, which aspires to operation, civil society building as well as political preserve nature and natural heritage as well as to and economical reforms. ensure healthy environment for generations to come. The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee When together we could encourage the Russian of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania has paid party to start real co-operation with all the parties visits to these three countries and discussed possi- concerned – with Lithuania as well as UNESCO, and bilities of developing further co-operation with the the whole Baltic region. The Baltic Sea certainly is region. The leadership of the South Caucasus Parlia- the wealth that we all share. mentary Initiative have recently visited Lithuania and Dear colleagues, I am convinced that discussions Latvia, where they discussed possible ways of includ- will result in other issues to attend to, so I would like ing the South Caucasus into the New Neighbours ini- to immediately open the floor for discussions.
Address by Mr. Artûras Paulauskas, Chairman of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania at the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the withdrawal of the Russian Army from the territory of Lithuania Independence Square, 31 August 2003
Dear people of Lithuania who are not indifferent It was exactly 10 years ago, i.e. 31 August 1993, to this significant page of this history of our state, when Lithuania wrote the last line of this history. It 38 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) CHAIRMAN OF THE SEIMAS was that day when the last units of the foreign army, grabbed in a hurry, with their tears and lament, with the last bits of our occupation and our dependence babies and the elderly on board, took them to uncer- left our state, which already was an independent and tainty… sovereign state, but was not a soviet state any more. Exactly a decade ago they knew where they were It was just Lithuania already. going. They were going home. Europe must have The withdrawal took place in the fourth year of changed a lot for them to agree to go home. The world the independence of Lithuania. must have changed a lot… Russia must have been We became independent on 11 March 1990, when changed a lot… While we must have not changed… they were still here. They were here, and therefore Not to have changed but rather have retained the our independence was still very fragile. The world hope of independence and the desire to be free… was congratulating us already, but it was not ready to Not to have changed but rather have retained the recognise us officially yet. Lithuanian spirit, language and song… Not to have They were still here… When fulfilling orders given changed but rather have saved out national flag – and by the only party, their generals were still threaten- waiting for the moment when we can hold it in our ing our independence and our freedom. Their tanks hands – the flag that was sewn a long time ago and were still targeted at this building, at the people who hidden by our parents or grandparents for half a cen- had gathered in this square – at Lithuania. They shot tury… Not to have changed but rather have remem- here as well as all over Lithuania. They wanted us to bered our anthem and passed it over to our children be afraid. … as we were in 1939 when they arrived… by word of mouth so when historic days came hun- and particularly in 1940… dreds of thousands of mouths could sing it together. Over half a century had passed before exactly a We could not change and we did not irrespective decade ago the last train left eastwards. It carried their of their presence here. They have not been here for ammunition and their ideology. It went in the same ten years already. For exactly ten years. Which must direction as it did when deporting Lithuania before be credited to our politicians, diplomats, military peo- the War. And after the War. Cattle wagons heading ple, and all of us. to the East, to freezingly cold Siberias, deportations, So let us not divide merits, as they are everybody’s exile and camps with tens of thousands Lithuanian merits. people who had no ammunition but only a few things Let us be proud of them.
MEETING WITH THE DELEGATION OF GERMAN BUNDESTAG
Chairman of the Seimas Artûras Paulauskas met on 2 September the delegation of the German Bundestag, headed by Vice-President of the Bundestag Susanne Kastner. Chairman of the Parliamentary Group for the Relations with the Federation of Germany Justinas Karosas, a member of the group, Chairman of the Committee on Social Affairs and Labour Algirdas Sysas also took part in the meeting. Chairman of the Seimas thanked in the meeting the German Parliament which had already ratified the treaties of Lithuania’s accession to NATO and the EU. “This step of the German Parliament is of utmost importance to Lithuania, therefore, I want to extend sincere thanks on behalf of the Lithuanian Seimas to Germany for consistent support of the main Lithuanian towns and rural areas, showed interest in goals of Lithuania,” parliamentary leader said. the actions against human trade and prostitution. The delegations of Lithuanian and German par- Mr. Paulauskas stressed that social and economic liaments exchanged opinions on prevention of human differences were distinct in Lithuanian regions, but trade and prostitution, health care, population em- said he hoped that the accession to the European ployment and other topical issues. Union and the emerged opportunities to use the The delegation of the German Parliament asked money of the EU structural funds would contribute if there was any social and economic gap between to the reduction of social differences.
39 CHAIRMAN OF THE SEIMAS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
LITHUANIA AND UKRAINE ARE TO START CLOSER PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION
5 September. Chairman of the Seimas Artûras Pau- Mr. Paulauskas and Mr. Lytvyn agreed that the lauskas and Chairman of the Supreme Rada of Ukrai- founding sitting of the parliamentary assembly is to ne Volodymyr Lytvyn, who was visiting Lithuanian sea- take place on the first week of this October. side, met in Palanga and agreed to convene a found- “Lithuania has things to share in the areas of de- ing sitting of the Assembly of the Seimas of the Re- mocracy development, European Union and NATO public of Lithuania and the Supreme Rada of Ukraine. integration, protection of human rights and is ready Parliamentary leaders agreed that it was time for to assist Ukraine in becoming more involved in the the Assembly of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithua- creation of European agenda,” Mr. Paulauskas said. nia and the Supreme Rada of Ukraine founded this Chairman of the Seimas said he hoped that the year to launch real activities, to hold a broader dis- Assembly of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania cussion of the most important bilateral issues, pros- and the Supreme Rada of Ukraine could grow into a pects of the European Union enlargement, initiatives bigger Parliamentary Assembly of Lithuania, Ukraine of regional cooperation, possibilities of strengthen- and Poland following the experience of regional co- ing economic ties. operation practiced by the states in Scandinavia.
LEADERS OF LITHUANIAN AND SWISS PARLIAMENTS EXPECT MORE BILATERAL CONTACTS
8 September. Chairman of the Seimas Artûras The delegation headed by the President of the Paulauskas and visiting President of the Federal As- Federal Assembly of the Swiss Confederation was sembly of the Swiss Confederation Yves Christen met also interested in Lithuania’s progress in harmonis- in Vilnius to discuss the most pressing issues of bilat- ing the Lithuanian national and European Union eral cooperation, European Union enlargement law, Lithuanian views on the results of the Conven- events, cooperation of small European states after tion on European Future, preparation of the parlia- the EU enlargement. ment for work in the conditions of the EU member- “We want that our ties with small European Un- ship. ion member states were more intense, therefore, Swit- Chairman of the Seimas Artûras Paulauskas zerland is interested that the small states – future talked in the meeting about the activities of the members – were as active as possible in the Euro- Lithuanian Parliament and stressed that before pean Union,” the head of Swiss parliament said. Lithuania becomes a member of the European Un- Mr. Christen said he hoped that his visit was to ion, the Seimas of Lithuania would have to adopt contribute to the strengthening of bilateral coopera- about 60 legal acts related to the EU integration as tion between Switzerland and Lithuania. He stressed well as establish the best model of cooperation among that with the European Union expanding eastwards, Lithuanian institutions and agencies for dealing with the issue of founding an embassy in Lithuania was be- the EU-related issues. coming increasingly more important to Switzerland.
DANGER POSED BY RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS ELIMINATED BY LITHUANIAN AND AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS
Chairman of the Seimas Artûras Paulauskas wel- Chairman of the Seimas addressed the United comed on 9 September the cooperation between the States in 2002, asking for the US assistance in en- US Department of Energy and Lithuanian Radioac- suring the safety of the radioactive waste stored in tive Waste Management Agency (RATA) when trans- Lithuania. ferring in Lithuania the illicit radioactive beryllium This May, the experts of the US National Nuclear seized 10 years ago. Joint efforts of Lithuanian and Security Administration along with the officials of the American institutions resulted in the transfer of 140 US Embassy and Lithuania checked the security of kilograms of beryllium from the Physics Institute to beryllium stored in the Physics Institute. The experts the storage facilities of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. decided that the previous storage of the radioactive
40 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) CHAIRMAN OF THE SEIMAS substance offered only minimal safety and concluded in Lithuania to the storage coming up to all the safety that there was a direct danger as beryllium was con- requirements and located in the territory of Ignalina sidered to be a strategic material used in the produc- Nuclear Power Plant. tion of weapons of mass destruction. Seimas Committees on Environment Protection In response to the initiative of Chairman of the and National Security, Commission on the Problems Seimas the US Department of Energy issued the of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant took an active part in funding for the safe transfer of the beryllium seized the coordination of the works of beryllium transfer.
MEETING WITH THE LEADER OF FRENCH PARLIAMENT
Chairman of the Seimas Artûras Paulauskas met on 10 September with President of the Senate of the French Republic Christian Poncelet and his headed delegation. Lithuanian parliamentary leader said in the meet- ing that the relations between Lithuania and France were undergoing positive development. “I believe that the ties of our countries in the enlarged Europe are to continue getting stronger, while your visit is to provide a new incentive to the political dialogue of Lithuania and France, strengthening the development of inter- parliamentary ties,” Chairman of the Seimas said. Mr. Paulauskas thanked President of the French Senate for his support for strategic objectives of Lithuania – the EU and NATO membership and said he hoped that the ratification of the membership was to proceed smoothly and promptly. The parliamentary leaders discussed during their meeting the developments in the European Union Mr. Poncelet said he approved active parliamen- enlargement, a Draft EU Constitutional Treaty, other tary ties between Lithuania and France and invited topical issues on the European agenda. Mr. Paulauskas for a return official visit in France.
VISIT IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
On 15 September, Chairman of the Seimas Artû- to consolidate the transport cooperation between the ras Paulauskas and accompanying delegation, includ- two countries by an official agreement. ing Deputy Chairman of the Seimas Artûras Skar- On 16 September, Chairman of the Seimas Artû- dþius, members of the Seimas Kæstutis Glaveckas and ras Paulauskas met in Beijing Chinese Minister of Rimantas Sinkevièius, met in Beijing with Chairman Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing and reminded him that of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Lithuania had repeatedly supported the candidacy Congress of the People’s Republic of China U Ban- of the People’s Republic of China in the institutions guo. The head of the Chinese Parliament stressed in of different international organisations and asked for the meeting that after Lithuania becomes a full- urgent Chinese support for Lithuania. fledged member of the EU a lot more incentives for Mr. Paulauskas said that with the elections to the cooperation between China and Lithuania are to Economic and Social Council of the United Nations emerge. for the term of 2005-2007 to take place next autumn Deputy Chairwoman of the Standing Committee Lithuania aims to become a member of the Council, of the National People’s Congress of the People’s consequently, support of the Chinese State would be Republic of China Wuyunqimuge informed the head very welcomed in the elections. of the Lithuanian Seimas that China was considering Mr. Paulauskas also said he hoped that Li Lithuanian proposals as to the development of tour- Zhaoxing as Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs and ism. In his conversations with the representatives of former old-time Ambassador of China to the United the Chinese government Mr. Paulauskas proposed Nations was to support Lithuanian candidacy to the
41 CHAIRMAN OF THE SEIMAS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
Handshake of the chairmen of Lithuanian and Chinese parliaments (Photo by Xinxua)
UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The member- kas in the presence of Deputy Chairman of the Seimas ship for Lithuania striving to preserve Neringa with Artûras Skardþius. UNESCO recently had become especially important Lithuanian Embassy to China has been looking to Lithuania. for several years for possibilities to establish a rela- The delegation of Lithuanian parliamentarians tionship between the two ports because the coopera- headed by Chairman of the Seimas Artûras tion between Klaipëda and Qingdao could be useful Paulauskas and the authorities of Chinese city of to both countries. Qingdao prepared the text of the memorandum on The memorandum calls for cooperation in the the cooperation between Klaipëda and Qingdao. The areas of business, culture, sports and tourism. The memorandum was signed on 18 September. The cooperation agreement itself is to be signed after the document was signed by Qingdao authorities and future port partners are to directly discuss coopera- Lithuanian Ambassador to China Artûras Þuraus- tion details.
42 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) CHAIRMAN OF THE SEIMAS
PARLIAMENTARY LEADER CONGRATULATED LITHUANIAN BASKETBALL PLAYERS WHILE IN CHINA
Chairman of the Seimas Artûras Paulauskas during his visit to China on 15 September congratulated the Lithuanian national basketball team*:
“Dear champions of Europe! Now you have built a bridge of golden value in our European time: it signifies the victory of the new generation of Lithuania in the changed and peaceful, uniting continent! Thank You who expanded the world of basketball and made others inside and outside this world see and remember our Tricolour anew! It is You who bring us joy and deserved pride in the loud name of Lithuania, so we wish You personal endurance, new victories in the life of the Homeland and that of your own for the sake of our progress and big success!”
* On 15 September 2003, the Lithuanian national men’s basketball team won the gold in the European Championship.
First Deputy Chairman of the Seimas Èeslovas Jurðënas handed the letter in the name of the parliamentary leader and the entire legislative body to the national team back in Kaunas
43 CHAIRMAN OF THE SEIMAS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
MEETING WITH THE SPEAKER OF THE KNESSET OF ISRAEL
On 22 September, Chairman of the Seimas Artûras nian and Israeli relations is to begin, while two demo- Paulauskas met with the visiting delegation headed by cratic states will be able to look towards the future the Speaker of the Knesset of Israel Reuven Rivlin. together,” Mr. Rivlin said. The parliamentary leaders discussed during the meeting the parliamentary ties between Lithuania and The head of the Israeli Knesset said in the meet- Israel, exchanged opinions on the ties of Lithuanian ing that the aim of his visit was to develop parliamen- and Jewish communities, Holocaust investigation and tary ties and make projections into the further future education, other topical issues. after remembering the past. Mr. Rivlin handed Chair- Chairman of the Seimas Artûras Paulauskas said man of the Seimas official invitation for a return visit he hoped that the visit of the head of the Israeli in Israel. Knesset was to give an important impetus to the de- Chairman of the Seimas Artûras Paulauskas velopment of parliamentary Lithuanian and Israeli stressed in the meeting that Lithuania saw its mis- ties, was to contribute to a more active political co- takes during the Holocaust years and was to be per- operation. “It is very important that our state ties manently haunted by remorse because of the actions developed in a positive direction because the history of Lithuanians who took part in the genocide of the of Lithuania and Israel is tightly connected and Jewish nation. The participants of the meeting also Lithuanian Jews are and will be an inseparable part remembered that one of the first legal acts issued by of Lithuanian history,” Mr. Paulauskas said. Lithuania right after regaining its independence was Speaker of the Knesset of Israel also noted that the one that denounced Jewish genocide. “The most the relations between Lithuania and Israel were im- important issue today is to find out what to do that proving, the ties between their governments and par- nothing of the kind would ever happen in the world liaments were becoming more intensive, but, as Mr. again,” the head of the Lithuanian Parliament said. Rivlin put it, the development of ties between the “I believe that after coming back to your Home- people – Lithuanian and Jewish communities – was land you will say that you have seen a free, safe coun- the most important. “People have to talk and discover try where such things would never happen again,” new ties. I have a big hope that the new era in Lithua- Mr. Paulauskas said wrapping up the meeting.
On 29 September, Chairman of the Seimas Artûras Paulauskas took part in the opening of the 32nd session of UNESCO and met with the Director-General of UNESCO Koïchiro Matsuura, participated in the official ceremony of inauguration of a former President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus to the position of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. 44 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) EXHIBITIONS, EVENTS
EEXHIBITIONS, EEVENTS
10th ANNIVERSARY OF RUSSIAN ARMY PULL-OUT COMMEMORATED
With Lithuania marking the 10th anniversary of the pull-out of the Russian Army (31 August 1993) an exhibition arranged by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs was opened at the Parliament. The exposition contained the documents of the negotiations with Russia on the army pull-out, maps of deployment of military units, plans of pull-out. The photographs had recorded the images of the occupa- tional army leaving the country and its “heritage” to Lithuania. On Sunday, 31 August, after a solemn memorial and flag-hoisting ceremony at Independence Square, the exhibition at the parliamentary gallery was opened to the public.
Russian Army leaving Lithuania
45 EXHIBITIONS, EVENTS Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73)
“GIFT TO THE HOMELAND” FROM ÉMIGRÉ ARTIST
To mark the beginning of the extraordinary session of the Seimas (2 September 2003) an exhibition of tapestries “Gift to the Homeland” by émigré artist Janina Monkutë- Marks* was opened at the parlia- mentary gallery. Member of the Seimas Dalia Teiðerskytë intro- duced the exposition to the assem- bled and handed to the author a let- ter of acknowledgement for the staged exhibition from Chairman of the Seimas. Këdainiai District Municipality Mayor Viktoras Muntianas, who took part in the opening of the exhibition, congratulated the artist on the opening of the event. “It is difficult to comprehend how one person may have in herself so many virtues and be able at the same time to express them in such a good way,” Mr. Muntianas said. Chairman of the Lithuanian Artists’ Association Vaclovas Krutinis reported about the decision by the Council of the Association to induct Ms. Monkutë-Marks as a member of honour and handed the artist a certificate confirming the decision. Mr. Krutinis also noted that the par- liamentary gallery hosts increasingly more exhibitions by outstanding artists.
*Lithuanian émigré artist, living and creating in Chicago since 1950.
Member of the Seimas Dalia Teiðerskytë (at the microphone) opens the exhibition 46 Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror No 8-9 (72-73) EXHIBITIONS, EVENTS
EXHIBITION OF RIMANTAS DAUGINTIS “WENT THROUGH LITHUANIA” (“PER LIETUVÀ ËJO”)
Painting and sculpture exhibition of Rimantas Daugintis “Went Through Lithuania”. Exposition presents the works of the famous sculptor who died in 1990: sculptures, paintings, and sketches done in different techniques. Rimantas Daugintis burned himself in the first year of independence on the border of Hungary – the Soviet Union in protest against the policy of Soviet regime in Lithuania. In the opening of the exhibition Vytautas Landsbergis, the leader of the Parliamentary Group of the Homeland Union – Conservatives, gave introduc- tory speech. “He was a talented and special sculptor who practiced sculpture of small form in real, sold materials,” said Mr. Landsbergis. The supervisor of the exhibition sculptor Dalia Matulaitë introduced Rimantas Daugintis as one of the most talented artists of his time. Dalia Matulaitë evaluated the exhibition at the Seimas as “a good chance for the new generation to get acquainted with creation of Rimantas Daugintis”.
Member of the Seimas Vytautas Landsbergis opens the exhibition
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Stockholm, 15 September. Lithuanian national basket- ball team takes the final step in the European Basketball Championship – onto the winner’s podium.
First Deputy Chairman of the Seimas congratulates the head coach of the Lithuanian basketball team Antanas Sereika
Crowd of basketball fans at Kaunas Santaka, popular gathering place. Captain of the Lithuanian men’s basketball team Saulius tombergas
Vilnius, 16 September. President Rolandas Paksas congratulated members of the Lithuanian men’s basketball team on winning the European Champion title and presented them with state awards (ELTA).
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