Interview with the Mayors of Koszalin and Klaipeda

What are your expectations for your own city in connection with the enlargement?

Being part of the single European market offers numerous possibilities but also threats. We will be able to fully benefit from the EU membership only if intensive efforts aiming at creating most suitable conditions for economic and social development are taken. We look for possibilities to obtain Structural Funds for socio-economic development projects. Our hopes are also directed towards cooperation in the spheres of culture, sports and education. Joint international initiatives and innovative projects are also anticipated.

Do you think the identity of your citizens will be more European?

In the first period of time, I do not think so. The enlargement bears some threats. Having experienced tragic history Poles fear losing their national identity. It is hoped this fear will diminish gradually and Poles will identify themselves with the EU.

I do not think this attitude differs much from the one of the EU member countries. In the countries that have been EU members for many years, their citizens feel first of all French, Spanish, Italian or German, only then they feel Europeans. Patriotism exists and will exist as well as national animosities. Through eliminating physical borders, the EU helps fighting against these prejudices. Functioning in the common structure and "European" identity will certainly help in it.

In what direction do you think EU will develop after the enlargement?

I think that all EU activities will tend towards the Lisbon Strategy implementation. Thus, certainly numerous funds will be allocated for innovation, research and development, and infrastructure investments. The EU will aim at creating a stable single market, supporting poorer regions through the structural funds. In that way, EU will realize its priority aim, that is creating favourable conditions for increased competitiveness of regions and compensating for marginalization of some areas and hence supporting economic, social and spatial cohesion of all Europe.

Miroslaw Mikietynski
Mayor of Koszalin, Poland

What are your expectations for your own city in connection with the enlargement ?

For my own town and other EU cities, I would like to wish a harmonious sustainable development. To my mind, a progressive communal policy will determine the future of the EU. Having realized this, we have not only taken active steps towards the rapprochement and cognition with the EU, but also rectified our local municipal policy, formulated city priorities and created long-term development strategies. Due to the intense communication we have eventually become an inseparable member of European family. It is our hope that the formal membership will serve an impulse to further development city.

Do you think the identity of your citizens will be more European ?

I can assert only one thing: estimating the life-style of Klaipeda people and democratic forms of the community's self-expression, already today Klaipeda is recognized the most European town in Lithuania. However, the process of globalization causes some anxiety, cities might be too weak to cope with its outcomes. The obvious strife of capital, certain countries or interest groups to dominate can infringe and transgress sensitive systems of cities and become a factor of disintegration.

In what direction do you think EU will develop after the enlargement ?

I believe in the success of European political dialogue culture and think that after admission of new members the EU - "the Club of European Discussions" will not bar itself up in itself, I mean, it will find ways out from the deadlocks of political arguments, the signs of which sometimes can be noticed. I wish, that before making decisions, politicians in the enlarged Europe would always think about people living in Bremen or Klaipeda.

Rimantas Taraskevcius
Mayor of Klaipeda, Lithuania