Mantas Adomenas (Response to reply)

A number of programmes for building democracy already exist. They operate from outside the territory, through the embassies. One of those initiatives is the European Humanities University.

What I am saying is not that it cannot be a worthwhile endeavour, but one has to weigh very carefully the cost and benefit ratio in this case, whether the stage has been reached where the cost can be justified in political benefits, or whether out-of-area operation and working with opposition groups – and looking for new ways to support local democratic initiatives and democratic candidates – can be a more cost-efficient way of achieving the goal. This is a question which you have to answer yourselves.