Remarks by Andrejs Pildegoviès, Latvia's Ambassador to the U.S. at the Council on Foreign Relations seminar "Central Europe in the US. Strategy: What Next?" December 17,2009 Georgetown University, Washington, DC Prof. Kupchan, Honorable audience, I am deeply honored to be part of this very timely discussion on the future of the US-Central European partnership. I applaud this initiative by Prof. Kupchan to reflect on new opportunities for this very special relationship that has endured through many decades of artificial separation, terrific hardships, and common strivings. This year we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Singing and Velvet Revolutions. These transformational events led to the reunification of Europe and would have been impossible without US involvement. Central Europe has benefited greatly from a strong tradition of bipartisan support for democracy and freedom, and I am certain that we will continue to prosper through our shared values, common political and economic interests, and personal ties. Speaking about Latvia I can stress that over the last twenty years every US President, regardless of party affiliation, has made a personal investment in the success of my country. I am proud to say that Europe, including Central Europe, remains the closest international ally and partner of the United States. This year has been both highly hopeful and extremely challenging for America and Europe. We welcome the new leadership of President Obama and the new administration’s declared goals and priorities of collective security within NATO, strategy in Afghanistan, new partnership with the EU on energy, new engagement with partners in Eastern Europe and the Balkans as well as progress on the reengagement with Russia. We are pleased that the democracy agenda has been reinforced by President Obama and Secretary Clinton. Multiple presidential and vice presidential visits to the region have laid solid ground for close collaboration on a number of vital issues. On both sides of the Atlantic, we have been struggling with the severe global recession, financial crisis and with a very long list of pressing international issues. Central Europe and the Baltics have played a constructive role in a number of international issues. The region indeed deserves credit and attention for many well-known and other less-appreciated reasons. Central Europe is a true success story of the last twenty years. Five years after EU and NATO expansion, a reunited Europe has become a reality. Central Europe and the Baltic States are well-integrated into the European political and economic mainstream. While the global economic crisis has hit Europe, it has not stopped the trend of integration. In some ways it has fostered the further evolution of the Union. The implementation of the Lisbon Treaty will only further reinvigorate the EU. Europe will strengthen its capacity to project power and solve international issues. Central Europe is politically and economically significant. The combined population of Central Europe constitutes 20 % of the EU. The region has 29% of voting power within the EU institutions. The economies of the ten Central European countries surpass the GDP of Russia and equal about the third of the German economy. The biggest regional power—Poland, with an economy of 480 billion USD—is the only EU member state that has experienced continuous growth over the last 18 months. Some countries have introduced the common European currency- the Euro. Others aim to do so soon. Central Europe has a hand in a range of crucial issues: • Central European countries have a strategic role in Europe’s energy transportation system. • Central Europe supports American and NATO efforts. All Central European countries are valued allies of the US and NATO. Their contributions in Afghanistan are considerable. Poland and Romania have deployed more than a thousand troops each, and Latvia’s contribution is bigger than that of Greece or Portugal. Per capita, Estonia has the highest contribution and has suffered one of the highest loses. • The civilian dimension is equally crucial. Latvia has facilitated US and NATO non-military transit of supplies to Afghanistan via the so-called Northern transportation corridor. Latvian seaports and rail companies have handled (more than 50 block trains since March 2009). • In global efforts, Central European countries are instrumental in advancing the Eastern partnership with countries like Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, and Belarus as well as for Balkan reconstruction and integration in transatlantic institutions. Central Europeans are also interested actors in the evolving partnership with Russia. Suggestions for the Future To sustain the US-Central European partnership in the medium and long terms, Central Europe should become an integral part of the comprehensive US policy towards Europe. An artificial separation or differentiation between a new and old Europe would not be helpful. The emphasis should be made on multifaceted cooperation through the EU, NATO, OSCE, and the UN as well as through bilateral and regional frameworks, for instance, Nordic-Baltic-US political consultations, US-Central European dialog, etc. At the same time it is important to take into account that Central European states, as any other countries, have specific interests, security concerns and domestic political and economic dynamics. On some issues the priorities of the countries in the region overlap, and on others, less so. NATO Latvia considers NATO as a cornerstone of her security policy, and over 65% of the Latvian population supports NATO. 2009 has been a tough but productive year for NATO. We welcome the new leadership of President Obama and Secretary General Rasmussen. We are glad to welcome new allies: Croatia and Albania. France is back on the military committee. Major interests of the Baltic States have been met: the air-policing of the Baltics was extended, the cyber center in Estonia received support, and a Baltic representative was included in the NATO Strategic Concept Expert Group chaired by Secretary Albright. The new strategic concept will be adopted next November during the next NATO Summit in Portugal. This year six four star generals visited Latvia. Baltic interests like military maneuvers next year have been taken care of. The new anti-missile system under the NATO patronage will be implemented, and all member states will be covered by it and will be able to participate. The open door policy is being reinforced by granting MAP to Montenegro and through the successful implementation of the first cycle of the Annual National Programs with Ukraine and Georgia. EU EU-US relations have been strengthened in the past year through new partnerships like the EU-US Energy Council. It remains to be seen how it and the existing Trade and Economic Council would be utilized by both sides. Regional developments A free and united Europe that is at peace is still a common goal for the US and Central Europe. The US and Central Europe can contribute to the evolution of nations in the Balkans and the Eastern partnership countries. Presently, Lithuania and Poland advance the Community of Democracies initiative. We stand ready to continue our support for the democratic transformation of the world. From our own experience we know that changes will require time, perseverance and sacrifices, but that the ultimate goals are achievable. Bilateral The Baltic States have benefited from the expansion of the visa waiver program last fall. This event was seen as an expression of equal partnership and a reflection of close political and military cooperation. This process should include all EU and NATO allies. The introduction of the US Travel promotion act and corresponding fees for ESTA might be seen as an unnecessary irritant in the EU public perception of US policies. Russia Latvia is a neighbor of Russia. It is our national interest to have stable, predictable, and mutually respectful relations with Russia and we welcome practical cooperation based on shared interests. The northern transportation route to Afghanistan is certainly a win-win project for all parties involved. However, as partners we should be open about our intentions and concerns. We can’t accept policies which undermine the independence or territorial integrity of other countries, go against our principles and values. IMF No matter how daunting the economic challenges or pressing the security and environmental concerns, I am confident that together, our countries will succeed in these joint efforts. The IMF has played an important role in supporting a number of the countries in the region. However, IMF should not become the only manifestation of the US economic presence in the region. Symbols matter Sensitive historical dates should be remembered. It is highly important to treat fairly big and small partners and allies alike regarding sensitive historic dates and anniversaries. Next year, Latvia marks the 20th anniversary of the regained independence. Finally, it is an axiom that partnership between states rests on trust and the common interests and values of the people. The best and most competitive educational institution in Latvia is the Riga Business School was founded in 1991 with assistance from Buffalo University. Given the generational change since the end of the Cold War as well as the deep integration in the EU, it is vital to continue fostering personal contacts across the Atlantic. An initiative by the US administration to stimulate the exchanges between the next generations of Central Europeans and Americans would be very welcome. Something more comprehensive than the Fulbright program could be introduced to support young practitioners in finance, law, science, etc. Conclusion: 1. I am optimistic about the prospects for the US-Central European partnership, provided that they are well nurtured. Of course this partnership should take into account new realities. Relations will remain strong, maybe less emotional, but certainly more diversified and balanced. 2. In order to succeed we have to strengthen existing institutions. First -NATO. The new strategic concept will reinvigorate the Alliance. Second, the EU-US dialog will expand, including on energy. Third, we have to continue close consultations on the pressing issues within OSCE, UN, WTO. 3. We should invest time and resources in bilateral and regional partnerships and create consistent engagement and a common agenda on Balkan, Eastern Partnership, and Central Asian issues. We must be patient but resolute that the mission in those regions has not been accomplished yet; 4. We should jointly invest in an open and reciprocal dialog with Russia. 5. It is crucial to reach out to the next generation of Central Europeans. In this respect, visa -free travel is an important facilitator.