Danish - Lithuanian Environmental Co-operation 1991-2000

Preface

by Steen Gade,
Director General, Danish Environmental Protection Agency

Shortly after the dramatic events that lead to the restoration of Lithuanian independence in 1991, Denmark was among the first countries to resume diplomatic activities. In September 1991 a bilateral agreement on environmental protection was entered between Lithuania and Denmark, and environmental assistance was initiated shortly after.

Belonging to the same geographic region - The Baltic Sea Region - Lithuania and Denmark share substantial common interests on environment and nature protection issues. Therefore it is logical that Lithuania is one of the major beneficiaries of the Danish environmental assistance programmes to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

Denmark is one of the largest bilateral donors of environmental assistance to Lithuania, and during the period 1991 - 2000 the DANCEE programme has supported more than 140 environmental projects. The assistance has been carried out mainly by Danish companies in co-operation with Lithuanian partners. I am very content that - by transferring Danish know-how and environmental equipment - we have contributed to protecting the environment in Lithuania and in the Baltic Sea Region. The successful results from the environmental assistance speak for themselves.

The biggest target area of Danish assistance has been the abatement of water pollution. In this area Denmark has supported the reconstruction and rehabilitation of approximately 20 large and medium scale wastewater treatment plants, achieving pollution load reductions in the same order of magnitude as the total pollution load from all Danish wastewater treatment plants and sewer systems.

Another major target area of Danish environmental assistance is the energy sector. Danish assistance projects have resulted in less air pollution and major resource savings. Another important element of the Danish assistance is the development of a new strategy for the Lithuanian energy sector, which has been of great importance in paving the road for the closure of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. The closure of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant has not only been of concern to Lithuania's neighbours, but it has also been a potential obstacle in relation to negotiations for EU partnership.

Approximation of Lithuanian legislation and compliance with EU environmental standards is yet another area that has shown positive results, and I am happy to note that the Danish assistance has contributed to help Lithuania close negotiations with the EU on the environmental issues.

With great pleasure I have noted the progress made in Lithuania over the past ten year, also in the environmental area. It is my sincere belief that the Danish-Lithuanian co-operation in the field of environmental protection has contributed positively in this development. Therefore, I am happy to introduce this publication, which presents an overview of ten years of environmental assistance.

I hope you will enjoy reading it.