Lithuania, countdown” “

After Cyprus, Poland, Malta, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic (cf. Sir nos.14-15-18-20-22-23-24/2004), now it’s the turn of Lithuania to tell of its hopes and fears as it prepares for imminent entry into the European Union on 1st May. Lithuania has a population of 3,700,000 inhabitants, of whom 72% are Catholics, 2.5% Orthodox and 1.3% Protestants. The Catholics are divided into 8 dioceses and 676 parishes. Pastoral care is assigned to 14 bishops, 670 secular priests and 104 religious. The Church runs 155 charitable institutes, including hospitals and relief agencies. We publish below a reflection by Irena Vaisvilaite , theologian and professor at the University. E very morning on the radio… Every morning Lithuanian radio reminds citizens of how many days are left before entry into the European Union. Europe, for Lithuanian politicians, but also for citizens, has always been one of the country’s two main goals ever since it regained its independence in 1991. The other is membership of NATO. Back then it was thought that it would be easier to become members of the EU than members of NATO. Quite the opposite was the case. Lithuania has already become a member of NATO; she joined the organization on 2 April. In their race towards integration in the European Union, it soon became clear to the former Soviet republics that NATO was in fact the one way they could really become independent of the claims of neighbouring Russia. Underwritten in this way, they could be far surer of the opportunities that open up with EU enlargement. The recent festivities to mark the country’s entry into NATO were seen as a prelude to the celebrations of 1st May. Politicians meanwhile are already preparing for the country’s first elections to the European Parliament. There still a lot of work before the Lithuanian Parliament: the criminal proceedings against President Rolandas Paksas have slowed down the approval of the laws that would bring Lithuanian legislation into line with EU regulations. New opportunities and doubts. There’s a lot of discussion in Lithuania about the opportunities that EU enlargement provides. Manufacturers and shopkeepers have long been trying to assess what type of effect the removal of customs barriers with the West will have, coinciding with the change in the regulations on the frontiers to the East. Lithuania not only imports various raw materials from Belarus and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, but also has significant investments in the industries of these countries. Importing some products will become more expensive following EU entry. As from 1st May the trade agreements that Lithuania had with Russia will be replaced by the agreements that Russia has with the Union. This is generally to Lithuania’s advantage, but Russia is complaining about the damage that enlargement will cause her and is demanding compensation. Recalling the discontent that Russia expressed following NATO enlargement, it is clear that time will be needed to find a new settlement. However it is obvious that Lithuania will gain a great deal from it. At the same time the Lithuanian commercial and industrial community is discussing what our economic regime, which is far more liberal than the European one, could become in the EU. Given its need to conduct economic reforms, Lithuania opted for the most radical course, sacrificing much of its social system in the process. The result is that Lithuanian economic growth has exceeded 6% in recent years, but the country is at the same time characterised by major social tensions and very strong regional disparities. One question remains open: will EU entry help solve these problems without destroying the advantages created for the country’s dynamic growth? The Lithuanian scientific and academic community on the other hand is looking to enlargement with a good deal of hope. Far wider opportunities for cooperation with the institutions not only of the countries of Western but also those of Central Europe will be opened. Moreover, the Union’s programmes aimed at its “new neighbours” – such as Belarus, Ukraine, Moldavia, Georgia – provide opportunities for the support of European funds. Students are being informed of the new opportunities for them to study in the universities of the Union. Ordinary people, especially those on low incomes, are worried about the possible increase of prices. Already 14 years have gone by since Lithuania re-gained her independence and declared her aspiration to “return to Europe”. The road has not been easy nor is it yet completed, and the curbs on the free circulation of workers within the EU will remain in force for at least two years. We’ll need to wait until 2007 for the enlargement of the Treaty of Schengen. And then there’s a good deal of discussion about the euro. The Lithuanians have been and still are very optimistic about the single currency. We’ll see how things go after 1st May…