Press release, 4 June 2014
During his visit to the Senate of the Republic of Poland on 4 June 2014, Vydas Gedvilas, First Deputy Speaker of the Seimas, congratulated the people of Poland commemorating the 25th anniversary of the first free elections.
“This is a meaningful and memorable day for Poland that became an example of a democratic struggle and victory to the neighbouring countries and laid the solid groundwork for the collapse of the Soviet empire. For the first time in several decades, the Polish nation could elect its representatives who were full of determination to restore the statehood and of the courage to lead the country to independence. The movement Solidarnosc and its leaders have dispelled the myth of the unity of the Soviet Union and began building an open and democratic Poland without censorship,” said Vydas Gedvilas.
According to the First Deputy Speaker of the Seimas, this was a historic event that had given impetus to the democratic processes throughout Eastern Europe and ultimately culminated in the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Soviet empire tried to rescue itself, but no border controls or restrictions on freedom of speech could prevent messages about developments in Poland from being relayed to the world, the Solidarnosc steps towards freedom from echoing in Lithuania and major changes from beginning in Europe.
“I am delighted that our brotherly nations have never given up and always sought to return to Europe, from which they had been once brutally torn away. After the fall of the Iron Curtain, we must remember the lessons of history and realise that our strength lies in a single word of unity,” stated Vydas Gedvilas.
According to him, it is not always easy to understand the fragility of our independence. Independence has never been given for nothing and it is usually marked with the blood of the nation seeking independence. The Polish people understand this very well, and so do the Lithuanians who have repeatedly fought for survival.
“I am also greatly pleased to see a lot of honourable people at today’s celebrations. I see the persons who have played a very important role in Poland’s political life in 1989 and later during the transformation of Poland. I appreciate their active political engagement in the Republic of Poland and on the international arena,” said Vydas Gedvilas.
The First Deputy Speaker of the Seimas also hoped that the opportunities given by democracy would be used responsibly and that those who needed help and support on the road towards freedom would always stay in focus.
Contact person:
Tomas Beržinskas, Adviser to Vydas Gedvilas, First Deputy Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6345, mob. +370 612 02 115, e-mail: [email protected]
