Speech by Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia, at the solemn commemoration of the Day of Restoration of the Independence of Lithuania

Your Excellency, Mr President,

Your Excellency, Speaker of the Seimas,

Excellencies,

Dear Colleagues, Members of Parliaments,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our neighbouring country Lithuania and to our brotherly nation, the Lithuanians, on the 35th anniversary of the restoration of independence. These 35 years have undoubtedly been full of challenges. We have seen changes in almost every sphere. It has been a time of rapid growth and, at the same time, a change in our understanding of values. 

On 11 March 1990, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania adopted the historic declaration on the restoration of independence. You were the first Baltic nation to free itself from the Soviet prison. This was a very courageous step, which was then also taken by the other Baltic nations. Soviet push-back and bloodshed in Vilnius and Riga followed in 1991, but the non-violent resistance of our peoples led to victory. Victory over the invader and oppressor. 

The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Iceland is here today, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Iceland for its foresight and courage in recognising the Baltic States. Iceland was the very first country to recognise the Baltic States after the restoration of our independence and we will always be grateful to you for that. 

Thirty-five years ago, our peoples were united, and the fragile flame of independence was rekindled in the Baltics. Freedom was felt in every breath. Today, that flame of freedom has transformed our nations into an unquenchable bonfire of freedom and independence. Yet, some remnants of the Soviet occupation still have to be burnt away. A few weeks ago, the Baltic States disconnected from the electricity grid of the aggressor countries. Here, too, we are now fully connected to civilised Europe.

When we regained our independence, we quickly and far-sightedly set an objective to join the European Union and NATO. For us, this meant being part of a democratic Europe and the transatlantic family of values. Joining the EU meant returning to a free market economy, where competition, rather than rules dictated by a party, is the key element. In turn, we saw NATO as the strongest alliance of security and values in the world, capable of guaranteeing the security of our countries.

In 2004, we achieved our objectives. However, security is not a given. Strengthening of national security and defence is a continuous process. Both financial and human resources need to be reinforced.

The 24th of February, 2022, was a wake-up call for the Baltics and Europe. After more than 70 years, the horrors of war had returned.

Our shared priority today is a lasting peace in Ukraine. There have been no easy decisions for President Zelensky or the Ukrainian Parliament. They have all been at the cost of human life in order to protect their country as much as possible from further destruction. That is why Ukraine’s independence must not become a bargaining chip in the hands of the superpowers. The peace agreement must be one that is acceptable to Ukraine. This means that the occupying troops must leave the Ukrainian territory completely; Ukraine’s sovereignty in deciding whether to join the EU and NATO is not called into question; Europe, together with the US, must be able to find security guarantees for Ukraine; and Russia’s crimes against humanity must be investigated and war criminals must be brought to justice.

What Ukraine needs most right now is a turning point on the battlefield to be in the best possible position for peace talks. It also needs bilateral assistance that is most effective and without unnecessary bureaucracy, and it must be continued and strengthened.

Europe must be present at the peace talks. North America’s strategic partners must also be present. It is essential to use all possible diplomatic instruments to help Ukraine both on the battlefield and in the corridors of power.

The rapidly changing and unpredictable political situation in the world has forced Europe to wake up and act. With the Baltics as the frontier on NATO’s eastern flank, this is our opportunity to lead by example by investing proportionally more in defence capabilities. There is no time to wait. We must act now. The Baltic States and the wider region must work even harder to build up and coordinate our military capabilities. 

We need to be so strong that a potential aggressor would not even think of threatening or attacking us. We have found EUR 800 billion for the ReArm Europe plan, which will strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities and provide additional military support to Ukraine. This will not be easy and there are many difficult decisions ahead. However, I am convinced that we have all the means and the prerequisites to make it happen.

We must not allow our future to be based on money and power relations or mercantilist calculation. Our transatlantic bond is built on shared values and a belief in the ideals of freedom and democracy. The same ideals that the heroic people of Ukraine are fighting for today. 

Since the end of the Second World War, we have lived under peaceful skies. There is no time for fatigue or doubt. In Ukraine, the fate of Europe is also being decided. We must continue to mobilise all the forces and means at our disposal in support of Ukraine.

It is already evident that Europe has taken the lead in ensuring further peace in Ukraine. However, strong US military support is also essential, as only the United States can provide some combat capabilities.

We must not forget an essential element of assistance to Ukraine, i.e. the policy of restraining the aggressor. Sanctions must be strengthened. Pressure on the aggressor must continue. The shadow fleet is still operating, sanctions are still being circumvented. The reins of sanctions must not be loosened. There is no reason to relax.

This is the moment to demonstrate Europe’s strength and decisiveness. Russia’s frozen assets must be confiscated and transferred to Ukraine. Ukraine already has a very well-developed military industry, it just needs the appropriate funding to take the initiative on the battlefield.

Colleagues,

I would, finally, like to thank my colleague Saulius for his sincere hospitality. We had a valuable discussion between the Speakers of the Parliaments on the next steps in support of Ukraine. I can assure you that the Parliament, the Government, and the people of the Republic of Latvia will continue to support Ukraine firmly and unwaveringly. 

The story of Lithuania and all the Baltic States regaining their independence is a story of the dream of freedom coming true. It is about people facing tanks and machine guns with bare hands and burning hearts. It is an inspiration to our Ukrainian friends that good eventually conquers evil.

May Lithuania live as long as the sun!

Glory to Ukraine!