Interview with the Mayors of Riga and Kaunas
What are your expectations for your own
city in connection with the enlargement?
 From
the enlargement of the EU Riga awaits an equal partnership
with other member states. The Riga City is interested in
the possibilities of applying for the European Union funding,
which would allow us to develop faster the infrastructure
and to better the population living standards. Another important
fact is that the foreign investment attraction and the economic
development of Riga should increase.
Do you think the identity of your citizens
will be more European?
Riga has always been a European city, and
its membership in the Hanseatic League, although interrupted
for some period, proves it. Since the very beginning Riga
was founded and developed as a multicultural and economically
active city. Therefore we can state that the citizens of
Riga have never opposed their identity to the identity of
Europe, quite contrary - these identities supplement each
other and exist in excellent concord.
In what direction do you think EU will
develop after the enlargement?
There is no doubt that Europe, like the entire
world, will be affected by definite globalisation processes.
The new EU member states have to arrange their national
economies, population living standards have to be raised
to equalise them with the rest of the member states. It
is also important that the European Union continues to develop
relations with the countries, which are not EU member.
Gundars Bojars
Chairman of Riga City Council, Latvia
What are your expectations for your own
city in connection with the enlargement?
 I
believe that we will find great perspectives. My belief
is strengthened by the development of the Dipole Vilnius-Kaunas
which coincides with the directions of the regional development
of the EU. Today we can offer our infrastructure, talented
youth, creative potential and knowledge. We are happy that
companies of Kaunas are successfully preparing themselves
for the competition in the EU, seeking higher quality and
correspond-ence to international standards. In our vision
we sea Kaunas as a European city that successfully unites
the efforts of businessmen as well as scientists and attract
both foreign investors and tourists.
Do you think the identity of your citizens
will be more European?
I am sure that Lithuanian nation is becoming
more and more European. Last year in the EU referendum we
expressed out strong decision and determination for the
future. During 14 years of independence, Lithuania has already
achieved a lot, and I am positive our nation has made the
right decision for the future.
In what direction do you think EU will
develop after the enlargement?
We see that the development and enlargement
of the EU is constantly in progress. The accession of the
new members will raise new challenges, problems and possibilities,
the main issues of which are the following:
One of the main objectives of the EU
is becoming more competitive in economic terms worldwide;
The questions of the EU geographic map
- the boundaries of Europe;
EU regional policy encourages the sustainable
development of regions, socio-economical cohesion, support
for developing areas;
The strengthening of effectiveness of
the common foreign and security policy;
The internal market of the EU will guarantee
free movement of people, goods, services and capital.
Arvydas Garbaravicius
Mayor of Kaunas, Lithuania
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