Press release, 4 May 2015
During her working visit to Riga, Loreta Graužinienė, Speaker of the Seimas, attended the solemn sitting of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia and congratulated the country on the 25th anniversary of signing the Declaration on the Restoration of Independence. The Speaker wished every success to the neighbour state on its path of freedom.
“We set on the path of Independence together with our hands joined in the Baltic Way. Our common aspiration to freedom respected no borders. The three Baltic States were like three siblings, who showed the world the most beautiful mutual understanding, solidarity and unity; and the freedom gained by our countries provided a powerful impetus for other soviet countries to break free from the soviet yoke”, the Speaker of the Seimas noted.
Mrs Graužinienė rejoiced the fact that Latvia and Lithuania were ambitious, self-confident countries open to the world. However, she urged everyone not to forget the present-day geopolitical context, to remain vigilant and be aware of the responsibility to preserve and protect national freedom as the most preacious value.
“May you be happy in your committed endeavours to build your everyday life and holidays, in placing trust in your people and your country, in taking pride in your language and culture, in loving and protecting your land. Lithuania will remain not only your closest neighbour, but also a loyal friend and sister in this path,” the Speaker of the Seimas said.
During the visit, Loreta Graužinienė also had a meeting with Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia. They discussed the forthcoming Eastern Partnership Summit to be held in Riga on 21–22 May 2015, the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU, and migration issues, taking account of the situation in Eastern Europe.
Secretariat of the Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6002
Neringa Mikėnaitė, Adviser to the Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6344, mob. +370 698 42759
