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Tuesday, April 15, Vilnius – President Valdas Adamkus made his annual State of the Nation address in the Seimas.Addressing the members of the Seimas, Government and other public authorities, the President gave an assessment of the situation in the country and touched upon domestic and foreign policies.

The President noted with regret that in the nineteenth year of our independence Lithuania has to acknowledge that there is a crisis of confidence in the state, instead of discussing the challenges or problems faced. “We came to this crisis slowly but steadily, ignoring all cautions and warnings to work together for common interest. There are several reasons for that. The first and most important problem is the lack of strategic thinking that I have repeatedly mentioned. Twenty years ago, the Sąjūdis movement set the ultimate goal of restoring the Republic of Lithuania. We then worked out a roadmap to join the European Union and NATO. Our strategic targets paved the way for domestic reforms and national progress. Today, however, we do not know the answer to the question: what next?”, said President Adamkus, suggesting to stop feeling nostalgic about the civic unity that held people together on the path to re-independence twenty years ago, but instead to seek – steadily, rationally and pragmatically – agreement
on specific priorities in social policies, science and education, and health care.

As noted by the President, until now there have only been mere discussions on the national well-being and European values, with the actual drift towards stagnation and decline. The EU funds gave the country some time for relaxation, but it would not last as essential problems remained unsolved. According to the President, the policies pursued did not produce positive results in the most important areas of life where change was most needed. To the President‘s opinion, even when something was actually accomplished for the country and its citizens, the indifference of public authorities and their disrespect to people overshadowed the achievements, instilling a feeling of mistrust for the state.     

In the President’s view, society was maturing more rapidly than the feeling of responsibility and the political wisdom of our politicians. “Society has started to seek solutions to important problems on its own: delivering assistance the needy, fighting the war on the roads, promoting culture and national heritage, organizing education and training, and advancing community-based businesses. It makes us feel happy and proud of Lithuania’s growing civil society and its achievements. However, there is a question that does not leave the mind indifferent: Is it not our elected politicians who should be at the forefront of the civic movement? It is the trust of citizens in the state and its institutions, their engagement in public life, and the feed-back attention and promises delivered by politicians that create the required conditions to build a strong state”, said President Adamkus.

Talking about the promises showered during elections, the President wished political parties to respect people, honor their own commitments, and better identify those voters and social groups they intended to represent. The President expressed his firm belief that neither individual persons nor legal entities should be allowed to finance political parties. President Adamkus noted with regret the lack of engagement of young people in the political process, reminding that the young generation would have to live in a Lithuania created by today’s decisions that would shape tomorrow’s politics, education, culture, and economy.

Giving an assessment of the economic progress, the President highlighted the importance of a reduced rate of the income tax. He urged to continue with the consistent taxation policy and to refrain from budget and tax manipulation for election purposes. “The recently launched discussions on taxation are a definite step backwards. It would be an unforgivable mistake to make a single irresponsible movement and wipe out all the positive results attained through personal income tax reform over the past several years”, warned the President.

The President also talked about the unacceptably delayed solution to the issue of teachers’ salaries, problems in education and health-care systems, land reform, the necessary restructuring of the anti-corruption system. “The year-on-year delay of transparent legal regulation in such important anti-corruption areas as public procurement, lobbyism and the funding of political parties can no longer be tolerated. It is the politicians who are empowered to improve the relevant legal framework and thus eliminate the root causes of corruption; therefore they should bear the brunt of responsibility for the present situation”, said the President.

Touching upon the issue of poverty eradication, the President underlined the need to create a flexible system of family services, upholding the child’s right to live and grow up in a family environment. The President said he missed constructive and efficient cooperation among ministries and departments, municipal and non-governmental organizations in arranging and providing support to families.

Head of State also expressed hope that politicians elected to the new Seimas would work in closer cooperation and that their newly appointed Government would have the resolve to carry through essential reforms and deliver on the promises made.

President Adamkus also emphasized the need to improve conditions for foreign investment, deploring the fact that Lithuania was not taking the required steps to make its investment environment more attractive, such as introducing ceiling caps on social security contributions, facilitated arrival procedures for foreign investors and labor, more rapid and transparent decisions in land matters.

According to the President, time has come to make a serious analysis of the experience gained by other countries – those in the lead of economic well-being and competitiveness – and follow it to make Lithuania more attractive not only to investors but also to those of Lithuanian citizens who have emigrated.

Talking about the debates over the State Security Department and its activities that evoked great public concern, the President stressed that it is the creation of an efficient system for coordinating and supervising special services and also the development of their capabilities that is important for the State and not political disputes and skirmishes. “Key national security issues must be addressed through well coordinated actions by highest-ranking state officials on the basis of relevant decisions or proposals adopted by common consent. Only this line of action will ensure consistent national policies”, said the President.

Recalling the importance of diversification of energy sources, President Adamkus underlined that the new nuclear power plant and electricity interconnections are a complex, high priority task which requires considerable financial and organizational resources and well-coordinated government and business efforts.

“After sixteen years of continuous discussions, we have finally made, together with our partners in Poland, the first important step towards building an electricity bridge. So this is an optimistic start. We now have to streamline our potential towards implementing this project with the support of the European Union and partners. We also need to establish a power link between Lithuania and Sweden as soon as possible”, pointed the President.

Head of State also urged everybody to stand together in view of the approaching closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant and the dramatic boost in global energy prices, and use the best foreign assistance to find effective solutions mitigating the possible adverse affects on Lithuanian economy and society. The President underlined the need to talk with the European Commission and Member States about possible solutions to the sharp rise in electricity prices and new challenges to the security of supplies expected to emerge in 2010.

Recalling the successful completion of one of the most important stages of the eurointegration process, i.e. integration into the Schengen area, the President expressed concern about the fact that Lithuania’s interest in the EU internal market was fading, the euro was receding into the distance, and EU funds were utilized ineffectively. President Adamkus said he missed serious parliamentary debates on the EU budget reform.

The President also stressed that Lithuania had always been and would be actively involved in developing a consolidated EU policy towards Russia. “We regret that last year Russia suspended its participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, directing its huge profits from oil and gas exports to armament,” said Adamkus.

According to the President, Lithuania will be active in the coming year not only in the region, but also in the most important localities for Europe and the international community. “Lithuania’s foreign policy course and its goals should not be sidetracked by pre-election winds since it serves as a national reliability guarantee – a capital which is difficult to accumulate, but very easy to squander as witnessed by our recent past,” said the President.

To the President‘s opinion, it is also necessary to accentuate the fundamental values of national security and existence when addressing cultural and education problems. “Only a strong hold on national identity and patriotism will allow us to retain self-awareness, preserve historical memory, and maintain tolerance and openness to innovations in the 21st century world,” noted President Adamkus.

Ending his State of the Nation address, President Adamkus emphasized that only by committing ourselves to transparency, democracy and open society can we expect to build a truly strong state which enjoys the confidence and trust of its citizens. “Our success will depend on our will power, concord and togetherness. I am convinced that we can reach the goals of this important period only through unity and common endeavors.“

The full text of the President’s State of the Nation address is available at www.president.lt.