Draft

Draft S T A T E M E N T ON THE PARLIAMENTARY CO-OPERATION OF THE BALTIC STATES The Baltic Assembly, evaluating the positive development in the trilateral co-operation of the Baltic States during recent years and the role of the Baltic Assembly in the said process during past fifteen years; underlining that political and structural reforms of the Baltic Assembly provided a possibility for Baltic parliamentary co-operation to adapt to the new international environment and to demonstrate flexibility and ability to adequately and efficiently meet the challenges that emerge over time; being deeply convinced that parliamentary and governmental co-operation of the Baltic States has made progress in their integration into the European Union and NATO; noting that closer co-operation of the Baltic States will contribute to the development of the whole region; recognising that financial and human resources are limited and awareness of the Baltics as a region binds the Baltic States to reach an agreement and muster themselves to achieve common foreign and domestic goals, emphasises that the Baltic Assembly is especially interested in promoting practical co-operation with the Baltic Council of Ministers, in expanding and deepening relations with the Nordic Council and the Benelux Interparliamentary Consultative Council as well as in ensuring more efficient feedback from the parliaments of the Baltic States. Vilnius, 17 December 2006