Foreign Ministry Secretary General Participated in Meeting of Nordic-Baltic Co-operation Ministers
18.02.2010
Nr 55-E
Foreign Ministry Secretary General Marten Kokk participated in a meeting of the Nordic-Baltic co-operation ministers on Thursday, 18 February. Topics being discussed were co-operation opportunities among the Nordic and Baltic States, mainly European Union co-operation with Belarus, and the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.
While talking about co-operation opportunities between the European Union and Belarus, Foreign Minister Secretary General Marten Kokk noted that the European Union’s goal should be for Belarus to become a democratic neighbour that functions well economically. The secretary general stated that it is essential to begin negotiations with Bealrus over a new partnership and co-operation agreement. “We must also find a way to include the Belarusian democratic opposition and civil society in the EU-Belarus dialogue,” emphasised Secretary General Kokk. “One opportunity to include the democratically-minded Belarusian powers in this dialogue is through carrying out projects for developing Belarusian civil society,” Kokk added. For example, supporting the European Humanities University in Lithuania is important. “Belarusian students who cannot study in Belarus because of their political views can study at the school in Lithuania,” said Kokk, adding that in 2008 the Foreign Ministry supported the school with 450 000 kroons and in 2009 with 200 000 kroons, and we plan to support the school this year as well.
Another topic discussed at the meeting was the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and matters related to its implementation. According to Foreign Ministry Secretary General Marten Kokk, the Strategy for the Baltic Sea region creates a good situation for transforming the Baltic Sea area into a forward-looking and competitive region. “The Baltic Sea Region initiative could also be an example for other regions in the European Union formulating similar strategies,” noted Secretary General Kokk.
Within the framework of the meeting of Nordic-Baltic co-operation ministers a meeting with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė also took place.
