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Arvydas Pocius, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania in Romania , was born on May 14th, 1957, in Klaipėda, Lithuania. He finished Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education in 1975-1979 and Command and General Staff Course, Bundeswehr Command Academy, Hamburg, Germany in 1996-1997. Also, he followed the Course of strategic studies, US Army War College, Pennsylvania, USA in 2003-2004 and the Master‘s degree in Political Science, Vilnius University Institute of International Relations and Political Science in 2005-2007. Between 1979-1987 Arvydas Pocius was Coach of free-style wrestling and judo and Chief Coach of judo and self-defence wrestling, Department of Physical Education and Sports between 1987-1991. In 1991, he was Soldier-volunteer and defender of the Parliament of Lithuania, and between 1991-1994 was Deputy Chief of Staff of Voluntary Service of National Defence. For 4 years, till 1998, he was Commander of Voluntary Service of National Defence, and Commander of National Defence Volunteer Service till 2002. Between 2002-2003 he was Commander of the Military District – East of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, and then, for 3 years, Commander of the Lithuanian Land Forces. Between 2007-2009, he was Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff (DACOS) of the Joint Education and Training Sub-Division at the NATO HQ Allied Command Transformation, and Chief of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania for 5 years. Since 1 october 2014 he is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lithuania to Romania. Arvydas Pocius has also 4 decorations: Medal of Merit of National Defence System and others, Medal of the Founders Volunteers of the Lithuanian Armed Forces (1996), Medal of January 13 (1992), Order of the Cross of Vytis (2014).

Eastern front states from NATO summit

ISE: In this November, in Bucharest, Eastern front states from NATO will be meeting at Polish President Andrzej Duda suggestion. Is this a creative network, with USA support or, last and least, every country of this frontier admit a Russian damage of peace and Kremlin intentions to expand in former Eastern Europe?

Arvydas Pocius: First of all, I would like to thank you for the questions. Yes, we can say that this is an answer of the leaders of our countries and other states to that fact. Following the “Actmedia” information, a summit reunion of the states in Central and Eastern Europe with the presence of the deputy secretary general of NATO Alexander Vershbow (US citizen working for NATO) will take place on 4 November at the Cotroceni Palace. According to a press release of the Romanian Presidential Administration the event presided by president Klaus Iohannis together with President of Poland Andrej Duda will be attended by presidents of Bulgaria Rosen Plevneliev, of the Republic of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves, of the Republic of Latvia Raimonds Vejonis, of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite, of the Republic of Slovakia Andrej Kiska, of the Republic of Hungary Ader Janos, of the chairman of the Deputies Chamber of the Republic of the Czech Republic, Jan Hamacek as well as the deputy general secretary of NATO Alexander Vershbow.
In addition, I would like to remind the fact that on 12 March, on the occasion of the official visit to Warsaw, president Klaus Iohannis announced that he convened with his Polish counterpart at that moment, Bronislaw Komorowski the organization in Bucharest of a new edition of the meeting of the state heads in the region for the preparation of the NATO summit to take place in Warsaw in 2016.

Russia

ISE: In what matter or how can Russia and its politics to influence internal or/and foreign policies of the states from the frontier of NATO, such were Lithuania, Romania or the others? We must be afraid? It will be possible another Ukrainian scenario in the other part of Russian interests?

Arvydas Pocius: I don’t think so. We shouldn’t be afraid and such scenario is impossible because our countries are in different situation then Ukraine. Romania and Lithuania are members of NATO and EU. Saying that, I would like to remind what is written in the “The North Atlantic Treaty”. We all know very well that our countries are protected by the article No.5, but we should remember and follow other articles.
In first week of November leaders of Central and Eastern NATO countries will have discussions related with security issues and “they will consult together”.

The North Atlantic Treaty Article No 3 says: “In order more effectively to achieve the objectives of this Treaty, the Parties, separately and jointly, by means of continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid, will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.”

In the Article No.4 is written: “The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened.”

According the public information, NATO countries and partners are discussing increasing the number of troops stationed in members bordering Russia and putting them under formal alliance command, part of a new effort to deter aggression from Moscow.
Once again, I would like to stress that Lithuania and Romania are a NATO members with strong presence of USA and other allied troops on the soil of our countries. Therefore we should not be worried about it (crisis in Ukraine). Despite what I said, we can’t relax and only watch what is going on in Ukraine. We have to act.

With Russian aggression in Crimea and in Ukraine we witness the creation of new frozen conflict in the region, in addition to those in Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Azerbaijan.
I believe that the status shared by NATO member states will contribute in the future to strengthen cooperation between Romania and Lithuania.

ISE: August 23, 1939. 75 years and still in very memories. There are also a lot of testimonies of Ribbentrop – Molotov Pact, Nazi German and Stalinist Soviet Union project to annihilate independence and integrity of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland and Romania. Is important yet for Lithuania, Lithuanians or for Lithuanian policies toward Russia? What Lithuania expect yet from the part of Moscow?

Arvydas Pocius: We should not ignore the history and newer forget what happened in our countries during the time of Communist regime. We have to tell the truth to our young generation and to convince them that we, EU and NATO countries, have to be ready to protect and defend democracy and peace in the world.
However, let’s think about the presence and the future. Russia for Lithuania is neighbor and for us is always important what has happened or will happen there.

Republic of Moldova

ISE: Ribbentrop – Molotov Pact established two Romanian states. Have Lithuania admit a real admission of Republic of Moldova in European institutions, political, economic and military also?

Arvydas Pocius: Lithuania is strong supporter of Eastern Partnership program in the frame of EU. During the Lithuania’s presidency at EU Council in July-December 2013 Republic of Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine received very strong support from Lithuania.
Lithuania supports the willingness of the people of Republic of Moldova to be integrated into EU structures as soon as it will be possible.

Ukraine

ISE: Which are your prediction for Ukraine? Democracy? Neutral state between Europe and Russia? Can you tell us your opinion for that nonsense situation: after 24 years from Independence, Ukraine is still not a real state and have not really institutions.

Arvydas Pocius: Ukraine as a state is like it is. We should remember that since 1920-22 till the Soviet Union was broken in 1991 they were big and strong part of this country. It is very long time and they need much more time to become in reality independent and democratic country. They are in very difficult situation now and need our help and support.
In the nearest future I do see Ukraine as really independent country which slowly will move towards EU.

Relations between Lithuania and Romania

ISE: Relations between Lithuania and Romania. Still different countries but, if you are better looking, very closed because history and Russian/Soviet frontiers. In 1918, both Lithuania and Romania renewed, in 1940, both in same action. Also, in 1990, after Communism, a new views. How long are distances between Lithuania and Romania in political, economic or general relations? What is important for Lithuania in Romania? In which are better relations? Where we must work to build?

Arvydas Pocius: Once again, I would like to say that both our countries achieved mine political strategic goals – we became members of EU and NATO. Now, being part of the strongest military alliance in the world we can feel safe and be sure that we will be protected and defended if necessary. As a members of EU and other international organizations, with their support our countries have great opportunities to make tremendous changes and transformations in economics, education, health system etc. Very important is to keep a political stability in our countries.
Talking about relations between Romania and Lithuania I can tell that at political level we are good, but in other areas we need to discover each other again. Tourism and economic relations are developed not enough. We should be more active.

ISE: Baltic and Black seas, Lithuania and Romania have their options to develop infrastructures, trade and tourism. Constanta is one of most important port in Europe and Dobrogea, South East of Romania, have important facilities and potential for relations. Where is Lithuania active? Are there, in Constanta or Tulcea, Lithuanian interests, investments, projects? Are there success stories? Or, if there are not, why? Impediments from part of legislation? Local administration? Infrastructures?

Arvydas Pocius: I fully agree that Constanta has excellent geographical location to be a leader port city in the Black Sea and I do see much better future developments in relations with the port city of Lithuania Klaipeda. It is one of the ice free seaports in the Baltic Sea. Talking about the future relations, we should find a new vision and strategy to attract our people to come and visit both seaports. Here is necessity in organizing more activities that will develop a new relationship. We should discover each other again. From mine point of view the tourism and economic relations between our countries are developed not enough. I wish our business men and women in this case to be more active and invite Romanians to come and visit Lithuania.

Arvydas Pocius, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania in Romania, with his wife in front of Constanta Casino

Constanta city

ISE: Recently, in last May, you visit Constanta. Is interesting for a Lithuanian? What are your memory about this? Are you liked or disliked something?

Arvydas Pocius: I was born in port city Klaipeda and have spent all my childhood there. I grew up on Baltic seashore and I love this city. Thus Constanta reminds me Klaipeda very much and I like it. I hope that Lithuanian tourists in the nearest future will find Constanta as an interesting historical place to go. But in this case needs to attract Lithuanians and to convince them to come here. Nobody will do it if Romanian tourism agencies will not invest in this area. One more point, city Constanta has international airport and this is one of the key points to develop much better tourism capabilities.

ISE: In Mamaia, a resort of Constanta, it exist a Queen Maria’s Royal Palace, in bad situation. “Info Sud Est” have a public campaign, for a most of a year, to inform about importance of this place. Queen Maria reigned in 1914- 1927 and have intervention, in 1924, to convinced Liberal Government of Romania to accept diplomatic relations with Lithuania, frozen by attitude of Poland, closed ally of Romania in region. So, piece of this Palace is also Lithuanian. Is important to sustain a Lithuanian room in this Palace when it will be renovate and transform into a veritable cultural center?

Arvydas Pocius: Frankly saying I didn’t know about it. This is a new information for me and I think that in the future, after restoration of this palace would be very interesting point for the Lithuanian tourists visit the Queen Maria’s Royal Palace. We would be very happy if one of the rooms will be dedicated to Lithuanian history.

ISE: Constanta is the most ancient city of Romania. Historical heritage, most destroyed on the Communist regime, is not yet in healthy situation. Are Lithuanians interesting for Black Sea resorts, for historical monuments of Dobrogea, for Danube Delta? There are Lithuanian tourists in this region? Why there are not a lot?

Arvydas Pocius: Firstly, I would ask you the same question – why so many Romanians as a tourists are going to Greece and Turkey, to Italy and even to the resorts of Bulgaria? The answer probably you know better than me. Only to have seashore and historical nice places is not enough to receive many groups of tourists from other countries. Here is the place for new investments and development of infrastructure for tourism.
In fact, as I mentioned before, Lithuanians don’t have enough information about the quality, services, prices etc. at the resorts in Mamaia and Danube Delta.
That’s mean we and somebody else have to work on it and make the changes in this situation.
I wish you and to the city of Constanta all the best.

Florin Anghel
redactia@info-sud-est.ro

Read article in romanian language here.