19 July 1999
(Relations with Russian Federation enhanced) (1600) Washington - The joint communique issued by the U.S.-Baltic Partnership Commission July 16 underscores "progress achieved in fostering cooperation in the Baltic Sea region and, in particular, Lithuania's successful efforts during its CBSS [Council of Baltic Sea States] presidency to enhance relations with the Russian Federation." The Commission's members -- Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and the U.S. -- cited the closing of the radar facility in Skrunda, Latvia as exemplifying their continuing constructive relations with the Russian Federation. Host and moderator Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott welcomed the progress of the three Baltic states in "meeting the responsibilities and obligations of possible membership in the [NATO] alliance and noted the strong political support provided by each country for NATO's actions in Kosovo and their practical contributions to stability in Southeast Europe, including by sending peacekeepers to the region." The communique expresses the "hope" that Latvia and Lithuania will soon be invited to begin accession negotiations with the European Union now that Latvia has joined the World Trade Organization and Estonia's accession is imminent. This was the second annual meeting of the U.S.-Baltic Partnership Commission, which was established January 16, 1998 under the Charter of Partnership signed by the presidents of the four countries. The next commission meeting will convene in 2000, while, according to the communique, the next summit meeting will be held "not later than 2002." Lithuania's delegation was headed by Foreign Minister Algirdas Saudargas, Estonia's by Foreign minister Toomas Hendrik Ilves, and Latvia's by State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins. The following are terms and acronyms used in the text: -- OSCE: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe -- WTO: World Trade Organization -- MAP: Membership Action Plan - for countries desiring to join NATO. -- CFE: Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. -- CBSS: Council of Baltic Sea States Following is the official text of the communique: (begin text) U.S.-BALTIC CHARTER OF PARTNERSHIP COMMISSION COMMUNIQUE [July 16, 1999] The second annual meeting of the U.S.-Baltic Partnership Commission convened in Washington, D.C., on July 16, 1999. Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott as host moderated the discussions. Foreign Minister Algirdas Saudargas of Lithuania, Foreign Minister Toomas Hendrik Ilves of Estonia, and State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins of Latvia led their countries' delegations. The Partnership Commission was established under the Charter of Partnership among Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and the United States of America, which was signed by the Presidents of the four countries January 16, 1998. The Charter reflects the common vision of the Partners of a Europe whole and free, and has as its goals jointly to create conditions for the full integration of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania into European and transatlantic political, economic, and defense institutions, and to enhance democracy, prosperity, and security for all states in the Baltic Sea region. The Partners reviewed progress made to advance Charter of Partnership principles since the Commission's July 8, 1998 meeting. -- The Partners welcomed the steps taken by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to integrate into European and international organizations, includinq the accession of Latvia, and the imminent accession of Estonia, to the World Trade Organization. The Partners also reaffirmed their support for Lithuania's accession as well. The partners expressed the hope that Latvia and Lithuania will soon be invited to begin accession negotiations with the European Union. -- The Foreign Ministers welcomed the results of the Washington Summit, including the recognition of the progress achieved by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and the reaffirmation or NATO's Open Door policy and the commitment to continual review of the enlargement process, including at the next Summit meeting to be held not later than 2002. They especially welcomed the issuance of the Membership Action Plan (MAP) for countries desiring to join the Alliance, which include Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The Foreign Ministers expressed their determination to use the MAP to the fullest in the development and implementation of their national programs in preparation for future membership. Partners anticipate that the Alliance's feedback program will allow each to develop an individually tailored roadmap to make them the strongest possible candidates for NATO membership. The Deputy Secretary welcomed the aspirations of each of the Baltic states and restated President Clinton's commitment that NATO's door remains open, no country will be excluded from consideration by reason of geography, and that America is determined to create the conditions under which Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia can one day walk through that door. He further welcomed the continuing efforts and progress of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in meeting the responsibilities and obligations of possible membership in the Alliance, and noted the strong political support provided by each country for NATO's actions in Kosovo and their practical contributions to stability in Southeast Europe, including by sending peacekeepers to the region. He underscored that these actions will be considered as the U.S. assesses the future qualifications of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for NATO membership. The Partners welcomed the achievements of the three Baltic States in making themselves the strongest possible candidates for future NATO membership. The Deputy Secretary commended Lithuania's demonstrated commitment of resources, since the last Partnership Commission meeting, to strengthen its security posture; Estonia's renewed commitment to a similar dedication of resources; and Latvia's commitment to increased spending on defense modernization. -- The Partners agreed on the importance of social integration and expressed their commitment to continued progress in this area. The Deputy Secretary welcomed this progress and, in particular, the passage in the past year of amendments of legislation in Latvia and Estonia on citizenship and naturalization fully in line with OSCE principles. -- The Partners underscored progress achieved in fostering cooperation in the Baltic Sea region and, in particular, Lithuania's successful efforts during its CBSS presidency to enhance relations with the Russian Federation. -- In that context, the Partners welcomed the closing of the radar facility in Skrunda, Latvia, which exemplifies continuing constructive relations with the Russian Federation. The Partners reviewed the progress in U.S-Baltic relations, including in the Economic and Security Bilateral Working Groups that met over the past year, and welcomed: -- The increased bilateral and multilateral cooperation in security issues, exemplified by the opening of the Baltic Defense College in Tartu, Estonia, in February and other projects promoted by the BALTSEA institutions; -- The new cooperative programs, including with adjacent regions of neighboring Countries, in energy, the environment, and public administration; the joint Great Lakes-Baltic Sea environmental program; the increased cooperation in law enforcement and the fight against transnational crime, including through joint efforts to support the CBSS Operative Committee on Organized Crime and on issues such as illegal trafficking in women and children, drugs, and trade in nuclear materials; and the important steps taken in the area of health, including the fight against antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis and AIDS; -- The completion of Letters of Implementation to fulfill the promise of agricultural cooperation laid out by the Memoranda of Cooperation, signed at last year's Partnership Commission meeting. The Partners recommitted themselves to the goals of the Charter of Partnership and identified particular areas of cooperation for the coming year. They: -- Agreed to work together using increased U.S bilateral assistance and practical support to take full advantage of the MAP, as well as to strengthen bilateral and regional military cooperation. -- The Deputy Secretary underscored for each of the Baltic states the importance of raising their defense budgets to 2 percent of Gross Domestic Product. -- The Foreign Ministers committed themselves to creating the best possible climate for increased trade and investment with the United States, including in the energy sector. -- The Partners endorsed the recommendations of the Economic Bilateral Working Groups, and agreed to include a business dialogue as part of the corning year's meetings of the Economic Bilateral Working Groups. -- The Partners agreed on the importance of social integration and committed themselves to work together to implement laws, integration policies, and programs to further that goal, in conformity with OSCE standards, and to continue cooperation with the OSCE in this field. -- The Foreign Ministers underscored their desire to continue to work with neighboring countries to advance regional cooperation in as many areas as possible, including through CBSS activities. In this context, the Foreign Ministers welcomed the U.S. assuming the role of observer in the CBSS, which will increase the effectiveness of U.S. efforts under the aegis of its Northern European Initiative. -- The Partners welcomed progress in the negotiations to update the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE). The Partners believe that completion of an adapted CFE Treaty by the Istanbul OSCE Summit will be a step toward enhanced security and military stability throughout Europe, including the Baltic region. -- Agreed to use the opportunity presented by the October 1999 Conference On Women and Democracy in Conjunction with the Vital Voices Global Initiative in Reykjavik, Iceland, to strengthen civil society, promote economic well-being, and further regional cooperation in the Northern European area. The Conference will concentrate on strategies to enhance the prospects for women's full participation in democracy building, and on practical steps to implement those strategies. The partners agreed to convene the next U.S.-Baltic Partnership Commission in 2000. /signed/ Strobe Talbott Deputy Secretary of State United States of America Algirdas Saudargas Minister of Foreign Affairs Republic of Lithuania Toomas Hendrik Ilves Minister or Foreign Affairs Republic of Estonia Maris Riekstins State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Republic of Latvia Washington, D.C., July 16, 1999 (end text)