Lithuania takes the next step towards the West – Hufvudstadsbladet

Lithuania takes the next step towards the West – Hufvudstadsbladet

 LehtikuvaPrint / AFP PHOTO / PETRAS MALUKAS

On January 1, facing Lithuania euro. It will attract investment and bring the country closer to the European Community’s heart, hope enthusiasts. But the new currency support only a very narrow majority.

When Lithuania last Baltic State adopts the euro next year will be the country the 19th as joining the EMU. Admission is pleased the country’s ambassador to Sweden, Eitvydas Bajarunas, despite the euro’s reputation is tarnished somewhat by the European debt crisis.

– Lithuania accept the risks involved to adopt the euro as its currency, but they are manageable when compared with alternative – to remain under Russian influence, he says.
Eitvydas Bajarunas says there is a big difference in how Swedes and Lithuanians look at the EU and EMU.

– For Sweden, the EU was just an economic project , for us it was a confirmation that we belong to Europe. To join the euro is another step towards Europe.

hit hard
But opinion polls show that opinions differ among the Lithuanian people. Only 53 percent were in favor of the euro in a survey in November and a separate referendum has been held.

2009 crisis hit with full force against Lithuania, but hard savings policy trend reversed and the country is now expected to achieve growth of 3.1 percent next year. Only Ireland is expected to be higher in the EU countries.

– We got us through the crisis of 2009 in a good way without external help, says Eityvydas Bajarunas.
Same time, unemployment remained high at 11.2 percent this year, and many still emigrate to find work. Lithuania therefore extends westwards, including against Sweden, to attract investment.

“Increases confidence”
to joining the euro will facilitate it, believe Justinas Pagirys, Head of Investment and Development of Investment Lithuania.

– For a small open economy such as Lithuania, it will help with confidence. Things are getting better in the euro zone, he says.
Still, a significant proportion of the Lithuanian exports to Russia. But neither Bajarunas or Pagirys is particularly concerned that the relationship with its powerful neighbor to the east will be particularly affected.