On May 20-22 the Lithuanian Free Market Institute, in co-operation with the Bertelsmann Foundation, the Swedish Embassy and the Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University, held an international conference "European Integration: Economic and Security Implications for Central and Eastern Europe."
The primary goal of the conference was to discuss the main questions of EU membership negotiations with Central and Eastern European countries during Sweden's presidency as well as the prospects of EU integration. Other objectives were to evaluate and present to society the implications of the ongoing integration processes and future membership in the EU on Lithuania and other acceding countries. Discussion focused on the impact of the EU enlargement on neighbouring countries, security issues and economic implications of EU membership, particularly in such areas as agriculture, the energy sector and external economic relations.
The conference organisers were seeking to highlight economic and political issues that are paramount importance to Lithuania and other acceding countries in the context of EU integration, to provide a platform for an exchange of opinions and to promote debate on the enlargement and future of the European Union. Among conference participants there were President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus, Chairman of the Parliament of Lithuania Artūras Paulauskas, Lithuania's Chief Negotiator for EU Accession Petras Auštrevičius, representatives of the EU and acceding countries, policy analysts and scholars.
The conference was held in Le Meridien Villon Hotel in Vilnius. Conference language - English.