Press release, 6 May 2014
An exhibition of documents and photos titled Lithuania: 10 Years of EU Membership was opened today at the Stained Glass Gallery of the Seimas. The exhibition compiled by the Office of the Seimas was opened by Loreta Graužinienė, Speaker of the Seimas, and Česlovas Juršėnas, Signatory to the Act of Independence, Speaker of the Sixth and Ninth Seimas, acting Speaker of the Seimas at the time of Lithuania’s accession to the EU.
When presenting the exhibition, the Speaker emphasised that Lithuanian’s membership of the EU ensured security and fostering of European values. It opened up new opportunities for our country to become a strong and modern state and continue striving for economic growth and prosperity for our people.
Mrs Graužinienė says a decade is a relatively short period of time in the history of a state however the exhibition demonstrates numerous changes that have taken place in Lithuania over the last decade.
Mr Juršėnas said that since the beginning of his term of office in 1992–1996 till early May 2004, when Lithuania joined the European Union, he had to deal with European affairs in one way or the other. He expressed his delight at the opportunity to attend the final symbolic event on 3 May 2004, when national flags of the new Member States were presented to Pat Cox, the then President of the European Parliament, during the accession ceremony welcoming new Member States into the European Union held in Strasbourg.
The exhibition of photos and documents reflects the key moments of Lithuania’s membership of the EU: the meetings between heads of states and other officials, solemn events, moments from negotiations and various adopted documents. The exhibition also presents EU-funded projects significant for society which make our country more beautiful and stronger.
Moments of the first Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU also feature in the exposition. Having grown so much and gained experience, our country successfully dealt with this difficult task of holding the presidency.
The exhibition features photos from the archives of the Office of the Seimas (photographers: Olga Posaškova, Lina Žilytė and Tomas Juodaitis); Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania (photographer Džoja Gunda Barysaitė), Ministries of Energy, Finance, Transport and Communications, Foreign Affairs, Interior; Bank of Lithuania; European Parliament; Tourism Unit of Vilnius City Municipality, Education Exchanges Support Foundation; photos by Laimonas Ciunys, Robertas Dačkus, Gintaras Karosas, Alfonsas Mažūnas, Mantas Pelakauskas, Audrius Tuleikis, Kęstutis Urbonas; photos of AFP/Scanpix.
Nerijus Vėta, Public Relations Unit, Communication Department, Office of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6208, e-mail: [email protected]
