 |
|
Professor Dr. jur.
Jürgen Gramke
Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Germany for the Federal States of Bremen, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine Westphalia
|
Since the establishment of the Pro Baltica Forum (known as the Pro Baltica Forum nowadays) at the beginning of the nineties, my work and my sentiments have kept me in direct contact with the Republic of Lithuania – a republic, which regained its sovereignty almost at the same time. My long-term position as chairman of the Pro Baltica Forum offered me many occasions to support this young state in its steps toward the circle of the Nordic Governmental Union and toward international cooperation.
Today, as honorary chairman and co-chairman of the board of trustees of the Baltic Sea Forum (together with former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari), I am delighted that President Adamkus was appointed as a member in the board of trustees.
Jointly with the former ambassador of Lithuania to Germany, Prof. Zenonas Namavièius (currently a member of the Supreme Court in Lithuania), we worked to develop the Lithuanian Embassy in the nineties – we organised support and worked in constant cooperation. Consequently, a long-lasting friendship with Prof. Namavièius evolved from our joint work.
I accepted with great pleasure the position of Lithuanian Honorary Consul for the German states of Bremen, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine Westphalia. I would like to help Lithuania by all means available – by developing a close relationship to Germany and thus achieving economic empowerment. My former roles as the head of the Communal Association of the Ruhrgebiet and as the Coordinator of the Initiative Circle Ruhrgebiet of the German Economy were a firm basis for my present role as a link between Lithuania, the German economy and politics.
I have always considered the following as the main foci of my work - being a contact person regarding the economy and politics for those three German states under my responsibility, as well as the promotion of youth exchanges, placement of interns, and supporting Lithuanian students during their studies in Germany. Concurrently, it has been my concern to inform German journalists about Lithuania and to help convey a real and positive image of Lithuania in the media.
At the beginning of the nineties I started using the – at that time uncommon – expression “Lithuania – one of the three Tiger States of the Baltic Sea Region”, which indicated the growing significance of this state within the Baltic Sea Region. Indeed, Lithuania has risen to prominence recently. Today, I am proud to look at what Lithuania has achieved in just a few years after regaining its sovereignty: it is a member of the European Union and NATO; a self-confident voice in the European family; it shows remarkable economic data; its entry to the Euro zone will be here soon; and most importantly it gained the image and attitude, which have become so natural all over Europe – “Lithuanian partners, you are welcome!”.
It is a pleasure to promote Lithuania and stand for this successful, young state.
