Dear Conference participants and Vilnius guests,

I would like to welcome you at the webpage, which is devoted to the Vilnius Conference 2006 “Common Vision for Common Neighborhood”.

The Lithuanian people have an old saying: “Your neighbor may be closer than your kin”. In Vilnius we all will look for success stories and new ways to assist regional integration, consolidate democracy in the Europe’s East and create a transatlantic Community that will share not only common values and interests, but also commitments for human rights and the rule of law.

Can the European Union and Russia create a responsible and mutually beneficial long-term partnership versus its immediate neighborhood? Can democratic transformation be achieved without European and transatlantic integration? What are the prospects for free trade, investment and gradual integration of Europe’s East into the EU Internal Market?

In spring-time Vilnius we will address these and other issues that are crucial not only for political leaders of more than fifteen states, but also for region’s academics and entrepreneurs. Therefore, the high-level Conference will be complemented by the Youth Forum, NGO’s discussions and the Forum of the Intellectuals, who will create a dialogue full of life and thought-provoking insights.

Everyday we talk about European fashion, European life-style or European football. By doing so, we do not question them and understand each other easily. Today the time is ripe to reach an agreement over the common vision of political and economic development in the Europe’s East.

Never before have we had such opportunities for joint action, reforms and development of democracy in the Europe and its neighborhood. By uniting our efforts we can make the best of them and not miss the historic opportunity to address today the challenges of tomorrow’s Europe.

I wish you every success in your truly inspiring and demanding endeavours.

Yours Sincerely,

Valdas Adamkus
President of the Republic of Lithuania