Your Excellency President of the Republic of Latvia,
Honourable Speaker of the Saeima,
Honourable Prime Minister,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
You are marking a special day today. Twenty five years ago a momentous document that changed the history of your nation and your country substantially the Declaration on the Renewal of Independence of Latvia was signed.
Only those, who experienced this personal historic decision, are best placed to understand the extraordinary feeling that prevailed then and has remained in your hearts till today.
This is what Lithuania and its people experienced, too. 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.
Let us rejoice that Latvia and Lithuania have been ambitious, self-confident and open to the world for a quarter of a century now.
We are becoming ever more aware of the immense value of being free, when we see the present-day geopolitical context. We must remain vigilant. We must not forget that having won our independence we have assumed responsibility to preserve and protect it, if need may be.
Dear brothers and sisters,
On behalf of all the people of Lithuania and on my own behalf, allow me to express my heartfelt congratulations to you on the occasion of this important day in your history.
May I wish every success to you on your path of freedom.
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.
Su švente, sese Latvija!
Ar svētkiem, māsa Latvija!
