We have devoted hundreds of millions of dollars in both countries to strengthen independent institutions. Other institutions are making valuable contributions. Creating a prosperous and high-growth Baltic region is essential to achieve our other goals here. Continued public support for a cooperative and inclusive security structure and for democratic principles will depend on prosperous economies. Indeed, with a consumer market of more than 100 million people and fast-growing economies, this region has tremendous economic significance for the United States.
Similar funds operate in Poland and Russia.
The US has treaties on taxation with all three Baltic states and Poland. These treaties help foster trade and investment by removing significant tax barriers for US firms doing business in the region. The US has signed bilateral investment treaties with all the Baltic states and Poland. This guarantees the right to invest on terms no less favorable than those accorded to domestic or third-country investors. These accords provide a strong basis for trade and investment relations.