Viktorija Panovaitė
European Union and Lithuania
In May 2004 Lithuania became part of the European Community, Lithuanian joining is supposed to bring wealth to our country. But still there is an unanswered question turning in our heads.
First of all, European Union is political, economical and monetary union. Becoming a member of this union means that we will have to insist European Union rules and laws. Therefore, our national currency litas will be replaced by euro, because we, European citizens, have to keep to one monetary policy. In this situation we will lose a tiny part of national identity. However, I can see benefits for euro area: more efficient, integrated financial markets, favouring lower costs of capital investments. Secondly, we will lose control of foreign policy, which is due to be regularized with foreign of European Union policy. Thirdly, Lithuanian economic policy will be controlled by EU. From my point of view, there will be only beneficent outcomes of economic control. When an employment is higher, developments balanced and sustainable, there is free market without astoms duties, we will feel an economic and social progress, which will safe material well-being in Lithuania. To sum up, integration won’t be harmful for Lithuanian economy and foreign policy.
On the other hand, Lithuanian being a member of EU will have some disatvantages on its cultural identify. As we became European citizens, we will be able to live, move and work across a territory that streches from the Baltic to the Black Sea. It will enable people to enjoy many inter- cultural benefits. Some of them might seem to be more attractive that Lithuanian ones. As a result, we might ignore or forget our national traditions.
All things considered, Lithuanian joining EU will brings economical wealth, but our cultural and national identify will be damaged little by little.