Even though Lithuania is a market economy and a member of  EU and NATO, it still faces economic and political challenges that stem from Russia’s pursuit of its own interests; this is especially prevalent in the sectors of energy and transportation. The situation is even more complicated because Russia’s economic interests are, or at least are thought to be, intertwined with political interests. Western and Lithuanian media openly claim that Russia is using energy resources as a political instrument. Therefore, initiatives aimed at increasing security usually receive widespread support in Lithuania. This is additionally reinforced by the belief that certain economic sectors are simply too important to be left without government control and regulation. However, the argument of security is sometimes used to retain government control, avoid liberalization and limit private initiative in certain sectors of the economy.

This conference aimed at initiating a discussion and evaluating to what extent Lithuania’s efforts at ensuring economic security are justified and effective as well as to what extent Lithuania’s policy of economic security is sound. Discussions were held about what threats the Russian capital poses to the sectors of energy and transportation and what is to be expected from Russia in the future.

 

LFMI was privileged to host prof. José Luis Cordeiro (Venezuela) as a guest speaker. Mr. Cordeiro is a researcher, scientist, writer and consultant to various companies and organizations, both Venezuelan and international. At the moment he also works as chair of the Venezuelan Node of the Millennium Project of the American Council of the United Nations University (UNU). Mr. Cordeiro’s areas of expertise are energy policy, finance and globalisation.

 

The conference was attended by Lithuanian politicians, government officials, and representatives from the NGO sector, media and business.

 

 

 

08:45 – 09:15	Registration
09:15 – 09:35	Welcome address Vytas Navickas,  Minister of Economy of Lithuania Remigijus Šimašius, President of the Lithuanian Free Market Institute
Part I: What is Economic Security?
09:35 – 09:55	Policy of Economic Security of Lithuania Deividas Matulionis,  Economic Security Policy Department Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania
09:55  – 10:15	The Factor of Economic Security in the Sectors of Energy and Transportation of Lithuania Žilvinas Šilėnas, Policy Analyst, Lithuanian Free Market Institute
10:15 – 10:35	Lessons from the Past: Evaluating Policy of Economic Security Eugenijus Maldeikis, Member of the European Parliament, Former Minister of Economy
10:35 – 10:55	Comments Antanas Kulakauskas, Political Scientist Ignas Stankovičius, Expert of Security Policy Marijus Franckevičius, EA Energy Agency Director
10:55 – 11:15	Coffee break
Part II: Future Economic Threats and Prognoses
11:15 – 11:45	Threats to and Policies of Economic Security Jose Luis Cordeiro, Director, Venezuela, “The Millennium Project”, American Council for the United Nations University
11:45 – 12:05	Threats in the Energy Sector Raimondas Kuodis, Economy Analyst
12:05 – 12:25	Threats in the Transportation Sector Edmundas Daukantas, Vice president, Lithuanian National Freight Forwarders Association LINEKA
12:25 – 12:55	Comments Kęstutis Kudzmanas, Ambassador at Large, Eastern Europe and Central Asia Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Arūnas Brazauskas, Observer Jan-Jacek Komar, NGO “New Europe Initiative”, Vice-Chairman of the Board Harri Mikk, Member of the Management Board of Eesti Energia
12:55 – 01:55	Lunch
Part III: Do We Have Solutions?
01:55  – 02:25	Economic Threats to Lithuania and how to Avoid them Vytautas Landsbergis, Member of the European Parliament
02:25 – 02:45	Cooperation with Baltic States and Poland: Wishful Thinking or Real Solutions? Saulius Spėčius, Adviser to the Prime Minister of Lithuania
02:45 – 03:05	Economic Security and the Consumer Remigijus Šimasius, President, Lithuanian Free Market Institute
03:05 – 03:35	Comments Gintaras Morkis, Deputy Director General, Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists Egidijus Vareikis, Deputy Speaker, Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania Arūnas Spraunius, Observer
03:35 – 04:35	Discussion
04:35 – 04:50	Closing  remarks