Press release, 25 August 2014
Photos by Ilona Šilenkova (Office of the Seimas)
Late Saturday evening the Speaker of the Seimas, Loreta Graužinienė, met with the President of the Riigikogu, Eiki Nestor, and the Speaker of the Saeima, Solvita Āboltiņa, at the final point of the Linkup of the Baltic Way on the Lithuanian-Latvian Border in Saločiai.
“Our nations expressed their will and were determined to pursue their choice –– a peaceful road of liberation. That was the courageous message of the three nations to Europe and the whole world. We are happy today for the new generation of our citizens who see freedom as part and parcel of their lives. They must continue with our history lessons teaching that freedom is the dearest asset of every nation,” Loreta Graužinienė said.
The Speaker continued by saying that the strength of the three Baltic countries rests on our unity and solidarity, which is the precondition for concerted and constructive response to security and cooperation questions in our region.
“The unique non-violent liberation campaign –– the Baltic Way –– inspired the rest of the world by an incredible unity and determination in its quest for freedom. We joined hands to form a living chain from Tompea Castle in Tallinn across Latvia to Gediminas Tower in Vilnius. It showed that the power of ideas is stronger than the seemingly robust system with its totalitarian design. It was a silent, but strong protest. It is my conviction that only by working together, by trusting each other and by coordinating our efforts, we have managed to succeed,” said the Speaker of the Latvian Saeima, Solvita Āboltiņa, in her address.
The address of the President of the Estonian Riigikogu, Eiki Nestor runs, “The message of our freedom has lost none of its importance over the years. At the time when European borders are under threat of being reshaped by force, the message of freedom is more valuable than ever before. We are again in need of acts that are noticed near and far, and that confirm our unwavering dedication to the defence of our freedom.”
The Baltic Speakers unveiled a monument to the 25th anniversary of the Baltic Way at the Lithuanian-Latvian border in Saločiai. The authors of the monument, a member of the reform movement Sąjūdis, Bronius Leonavičius, and a folk artist, Rimantas Zinkevičius, and the delegates of the Mission Siberia 2014 buried a symbolic capsule with wishes to future generations. The Bonfire of Unity of the three Baltic States was also lit.
The Speaker of the Seimas, Loreta Graužinienė, congratulated Ukraine on its Independence Day and expressed her hope Ukraine would become as united as the Baltic countries were.
“Despite the current tension prevailing in Ukraine due to the aggressive actions of the neighbouring country aimed at de-stabilisation of the situation, I believe that by joint Ukrainian and international efforts the attempts to deprive Ukraine of its independence will come to nothing,” the congratulatory letter of the Speaker reads.
Mrs Graužinienė noted she had assured Oleksandr Turchynov at the annual meeting of the Speakers of the Nordic and Baltic Parliaments held in Palanga, which he also attended, that Lithuania had always supported Ukraine’s efforts to integrate into the common European family.
On the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine, the Speaker of the Seimas wished the Chairman and members of the Verkhovna Rada and all the people of the country endurance, strength and unity in protecting the integrity and independence of their state.
Dalia Valentienė, Adviser to the Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6030, mob. +370 698 42 786
