Meeting of the Presidents of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Otepää, Estonia May 26, 1997

Joint Communique

On May 26, 1997 the Presidents of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania met in Otepää.

During the meeting the Presidents discussed issues related to European integration, in particular the European Union enlargement process. They exchanged views on matters of security and stability in Europe, especially NATO enlargement. Baltic and regional cooperation, as well as the status of relations with neighbouring states and other relevant countries was discussed.

The Presidents noted that their countries are entering the final and decisive stage in preparation for the enlargement of the European Union. Both the applicant countries and the Union are making serious efforts. The European Commission has been mandated by successive European Councils, particularly those in Madrid and Dublin, to prepare opinions on applications for memberships as well as a composite paper and an impact study on enlargement. The Presidents expressed their expectation that the words “equal treatment of all the candidates”, as promised by the Madrid Council, mean that each candidate is indeed judged on its own merits and that the conclusions of the opinions are in no ways predetermined or prejudged.

The Presidents voiced the hope that the accession negotiations with all the candidate countries will start no later that six months after the conclusion of the EU Intergovernmental Conference. The Presidents expressed their strong wish that the Europe Agreements between the EU and the Baltic States are ratified and come into force before the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

The Presidents expressed their great appreciation for the support of the Nordic Countries for the Baltic States' candidacy for the EU and other European structures.

The Presidents discussed the issue of NATO enlargement and reaffirmed aspirations of the Baltic States for early membership of the Alliance. The Presidents once again expressed their firm belief that a stable and democratic Europe free of dividing lines can only be reached through maintaining the indivisibility of security and free choice in security arrangements. The Baltic States hold the firm conviction that their full membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation will enable them to reach those objectives. At the upcoming Madrid Summit, it should be stated clearly that an enlarged NATO will remain open to additional aspirants.

The Baltic States are determined to be not only security consumers but security producers as well. The Presidents noted with satisfaction the continued development of trilateral defense cooperation and participation in peacekeeping operations.

Touching upon the issue of Baltic cooperation, the Presidents emphasized the importance of strengthening their external borders and agreed to continue the work towards unhindered transit transportation across their shared borders. The Presidents stressed that the development of a common economic space should be intensified. The Baltic States continue to work towards creation of a Baltic Customs Union in parallel with the European Union integration process.

The Presidents noted with satisfaction the agreement reached on the division of the responsibilities for trilateral defense related projects such as BALTBAT, BALTNET and BALTRON and have reiterated the commitment to pursue further with their rapid implementation and development.

The Presidents noted the growing importance of regional cooperation. They expressed satisfaction with developments in the framework of the Council of the Baltic Sea States. Special support was given to the cooperation in the fields of people–to–people contacts, economic integration and environmental protection.

The Presidents welcomed NATO–Russia and NATO–Ukraine cooperation as a significant part of confidence building on the continent. The importance of the U.S. presence in Europe in ensuring security and stability on our continent was emphasized.

The Presidents expressed their hope that the inter–state relations in the region will further develop on principles of mutual respect, equality and understanding.

Lennart Meri Guntis Ulmanis Algirdas Brazauskas

President President President

Republic of Estonia Republic of Latvia Republic of Lithuania