Visits

Visit by President Dalia Grybauskaitė to Magdeburg, 24 August 2011

President Dalia Grybauskaitė had a meeting with German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel in Magdeburg. They discussed the economic and financial situation in the European Union and the implementation of energy projects important for Lithuania and Europe.

During their bilateral meeting, Angela Merkel assured the President once again, like she did a year ago when she visited Lithuania, that Germany understood very well Lithuania's aspirations for energy security.

Germany supports the European Council's decision to establish a European internal energy market by 2014 and to eliminate energy "islands" by 2015.

According to the President, support from Germany and other EU member states in securing adequate financing in the 2014-2020 financial framework for vitally important gas and electricity interconnections is very significant for Lithuania.

"The successful implementation of electricity and gas connection projects that are so important for the Baltic States will enhance competitiveness not only of this region but also of the whole EU. When negotiating the new financial perspective, we have to ensure equal and adequate distribution of structural support among the projects that improve the EU's competitiveness," the President said.

Chancellor Merkel and President Grybauskaitė also discussed nuclear safety issues. According to the President, the highest safety standards set in accordance with European methodologies must be applied not only to nuclear technologies but also to nuclear construction sites, structures and monitoring.

Concerning the economic and financial situation in Europe, the President underlined European economies were closely interrelated: economic difficulties in one country affected other EU member states. I was therefore necessary for all euro zone countries to abide by the rules and respect their commitments.

According to the President, close fiscal coordination is necessary for Europe as it recovers from the economic crisis. Only responsible policy and strict financial consolidation can help achieve economic stability.

During the meeting, Angela Merkel expressed interest in the Curonian Spit, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the German cultural heritage in Western Lithuania. The President invited the German Chancellor to visit Lithuania again.

After the meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Dalia Grybauskaitė took part in an exclusive ceremony in Magdeburg Cathedral where Angela Markel was awarded the Emperor Otto Prize for her contribution towards European unity. At the ceremony, the President gave a celebratory speech, the laudation. The organizers of the ceremony chose the President of Lithuania as the principal speaker on account of close Lithuanian-German relations, joint efforts within the European Council and good contacts between President Grybauskaitė and Chancellor Merkel.

In her laudation, the President underlined that Europe was very lucky to have such a dedicated, creative and responsible leader as Chancellor Merkel, who played an active role in working out the final documents of the European Council and was the one to take on the unrewarding task of persuading all summit members to look at a longer perspective and to find agreement on the political guidelines in the interest of all Europe.

"I can honestly say that the future of not only Germany, but also of Europe as a whole rests on her shoulders. Therefore, as I reaffirm Lithuania's strong support and that, I am certain, of other countries in the region, for Chancellor Merkel's leadership and her country's commitment, I wish her success and resolve, and may this prize give her new strength. It is determination that we need the most to make difficult but necessary decisions today when the United Europe faces serious economic and financial challenges," the President said.

According to the President, peace and prosperity are possible only in a united Europe where all nations, small or large, work for a common cause; in this context, Germany is the connecting link between Central, Eastern and Nordic European regions and the driving force behind European unification.

The President expressed delight at the open and ever more intensive dialogue between Lithuania and Germany. Noting that Germany had recently taken over the Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the President underscored Lithuania's firm support for the commitment to further strengthen cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region.

She further underlined that the Chancellor's work and efforts in building a united, efficient, competitive, and globally respected Europe, where the big and the small would prosper, would be remembered and included in the book of history as an honorable page which made Europe and each of us stronger.