[Article by Bronius Kuzmickas, deputy chairman of the Lithuanian Parliament: "The Baltic Region Countries and Germany." Vilnius LITHUANIAN WEEKLY in English 31 Jul-6 Aug 92 pp 1,3]
[Text] Regional cooperation between the Baltic sea-coast countries was initiated by the Scandinavian states which were among the first Western countries to have fully realized the strategic consequences of the collapse of Communism. Later, Germany also joined the process of developing cooperation in the Baltic region, attempting to avail itself of the political and economic changes in Eastern and Middle Europe and influencing the situation itself. The newly independent states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, and post-Communist Poland and Russia make up the passive side of emerging union in the Baltic region. In their efforts to overcome economic and social decline, these countries expect to receive assistance from western and northern neighbors.
The two largest states on the Baltic seacoast, Russia and Germany, have found themselves in different zones of interest. There is no doubt that both countries will soon become the most influential in the region, especially if they get on with each other and assume the role of identical leaders. Judging by the speeches delivered at various diplomatic meetings and conferences on Baltic problems, the situation seems to be developing toward this direction. The German representatives do not object to statements made by the Russian side, most often supporting them directly or indirectly. But it is evident enough that the German benevolence stems from its concern over the withdrawal of the Russian troops from Germany. Consequently, the German policy of goodwill might be a reaction to the present state of events and circumstances. The Germans are very good at being patient in attaining their goal and not making far-reaching statements at the wrong time.
It is not clear yet how Russia understands her role in the Baltic region. Even the progressive-minded politicians from St. Petersburg are inclined to discuss Baltic cooperation in an abstract way, making frequent references to the "European home" and "global matters" instead of submitting constructive proposals. Sometimes, relics of the past expansionistic reasoning poke out in their speeches but these implications are completely groundless and easily refutable. There is no doubt that St. Petersburg has great prospects in the Baltic region, but they depend on the future political orientation of Russia.
Meanwhile, Germany is becoming ever more active and its political and economic vitality is well-grounded from both strategic and pragmatic points of view. Germany is usually represented by four or five delegations from Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg and Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, and the cities of Hamburg and Bremen.
The on-the-rise German activity in the Baltic region is a manifestation of the country's increasing role in the whole of Europe. Due to its economic and financial might, geographical position, and historical and cultural ties, Germany is emerging as the most influential Western European state in Middle and Eastern Europe. At the same time, Middle and Southeastern European countries (some of them had been German allies during WW II) are seeking close cooperation links with Germany. The Ukraine and Belarus are also willing to maintain friendly relations with Germany as a strategic counterbalance in the West.
On the other hand, Germany is one of the most active propagators of an EC-based European integration. Gerd Walter, Minister for Federal and European Affairs of Schleswig-Holstein, maintains that cooperation and integration is a direct response to nationalistic tendencies looming in some parts of Europe and to the concern of neighboring states over a positive response to the challenge put up by Southeastern Asia to Europe. The course toward cooperation and integration is the only way to overcome difficulties in post-Communist countries and the only proper policy which should be adopted by Europe.
The traditional self-dependency of the German territorial unit--the Lander--is helpful to the policy of integration. It is the Lander, and not Germany, which is currently becoming the subject of direct international cooperation. It is namely the Lander that expands relations with the border regions of neighboring states. This kind of strategy is called "cooperation across borders" (uber die Grenze hinweg) and it is shaping a new outlook and way of action in Europe. The German spirit is spreading across Europe in a pragmatic and, therefore, non-violent manner. The borderlines are crossed by German companies and organizations and not by the German state.
Schleswig-Holstein, with a population of 2.5 million, is very active in expanding cooperation with the Baltic region countries. The Lander's excellent geographical position in-between the Northern and Baltic seas, its three large port cities of Kiel, Lubeck and Flensburg on the Baltic seacoast, the nearby location of Hamburg, and other factors have predetermined a rapid development of Schleswig-Holstein. The Lander's authorities are mostly interested in maintaining close ties with the Scandinavian countries. Next on their list of cooperation priorities come the southwest Baltic cities of Gdansk in Poland and Kaliningrad in Russia. It seems that Germany is favorably disposed toward good-neighborly relations between both parts of former Prussia--currently Polish and Russian--which are being further strengthened by German investments. The prospects for integration of both areas and their subsequent restoration into a Prussian region are becoming obvious.
In its contacts with the Baltic states, Schleswig-Holstein has established the closest ties with Estonia, then comes Latvia, and Lithuania ranks third.
Until now, cooperation between Lithuania and Schleswig- Holstein has been reduced to the level of exchanging official visits to top-ranking state and government figures on festive occasions. However, navigational contacts are being established by the port cities of Klaipeda and Lubeck. In October of this year, an exhibition of medical equipment manufactured in Schleswig-Holstein will be staged at Vilnius University.
Sometimes doubts are voiced whether Lithuania's participation in the Baltic cooperation is the best-chosen road toward integration into Western Europe. Are contacts with northern Germany really that important for Lithuania? Traditionally, Lithuania has always been more closely linked to Middle European than Nordic countries. We should realize, at this point, that Middle Europe--Poland, Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia--are returning to the European home via Northern Germany. Therefore, Lithuania will inevitably run into the German state, no matter which direction it chooses.
Representatives of the Scandinavian states have remarked on several occasions that the Nordic countries give cooperation priorities to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Meanwhile, officials from Schleswig-Holstein stress that they pursue the single aim of establishing beneficial contacts and do not single out any of the countries of the Baltic region. We should appreciate this disarming frankness and put forward only clear-cut and concrete proposals. If Lithuania is not active enough in its approach toward inter-state cooperation, we may soon find ourselves to be on the outskirts of the Baltic economic region.