Honourable President of Lithuania,

Honourable Speaker of the Seimas,

Honourable Speakers,

Excellencies,

Members of Parliament,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure and honour to address you here today, and to be together with the Lithuanian nation as we are marking the start of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

We have gathered here to mark a very meaningful event. This hall and this building have witnessed many such events. On 11 March 1990 a restoration of the independence of the Republic of Lithuania took place in this Hall. And I have been here to mark tragic events of our joint history, like January barricades, when destinies of our nations were uncertain and obscured.

Back then people were ready to sacrifice their lives in the name of freedom and independence. Back then the fact that Lithuania one day might become a Presiding country of the European Union was probably a too daring dream or a very distant light.

Next year our countries will mark the 10^th Anniversary since we are members of the European Union. Ten years have passed and we are not only full-fledged members – we have our place by table, we shape the decisions that will have direct influence on our people, on all Europeans.

Lithuania is the first from the Baltic States to assume the responsibility of the EU Presidency. Latvia and Estonia will follow in coming years. Since we regained our independence the Baltic States have proven to be responsible players in international community. Due to our historic experience we have no doubts about the significance of the values that lay the foundations of whole EU integration project. I have no doubts that Lithuania will once again demonstrate this common spirit and commitment. EU decision making process provides every member state with a leverage to achieve both goals – to stand for its national interests and to protect the European ones globally and within the Union.

It is very evident that we – the Europeans – have to remind ourselves what has been achieved since the Second World War and since the breakdown of the Communism Empire.

Regrettably, during last few years much has been overshadowed by financial and economic crises. At the same time, a lot has been achieved and I am aware that more will be done during the coming six months.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Euro is one of the greatest achievements our continent has witnessed. It is the most visible symbol of European integration. It is understood and felt by each European citizen. It is a tool which binds the lives of all Europeans together and enables them to increase the welfare of their family and their state with opportunities offered by the European Union.

Latvia appreciates a positive decision at the last European Council meeting when EU state and government leaders expressed support for Latvia's accession to the Eurozone. This is important step for Latvia towards becoming the 18^th member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2014.

Dear audience,

The sequence of EU Presidencies implemented by countries of our region will allow us to provide continuity on such important initiatives as EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region and the Eastern Partnership. We sincerely look forward for successful Eastern Partnership summit in November. Not only politically and practically it’s been our obligation and priority. But for Latvia it will be even bigger responsibility as our country will be the one to host the next Eastern partnership summit in the first half of 2015 – when Latvia for the first time will become the Presiding country of the European Union.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Lithuania has put forward three goals for its Presidency – a credible, growing and open Europe. In the spirit of this motto I would like to use this opportunity and to congratulate Mr. Leko, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia, as your country has just become the 28^th member state of the European Union.

In conclusion, I would like to wish every heartfelt success for the Lithuania’s Presidency in the Council of the European Union. Your lessons will be of outmost importance for us. Your achievements will serve for the benefit of every European and far behind!