Seimas adopted a resolution on the significance of the Baltic Way

Press release, 10 September 2019

Having regard to the fact that 23 August 2019 marked the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way, which became a breakthrough for national liberation and restoration of statehood and democracy, the Seimas has recommended that, with a view to defending the freedom and independence of the Baltic countries, NATO should further strengthen effective and timely defence measures in the region and implement effective defence plans as soon as possible.

Moreover, the Seimas has expressed a further wish for the increasing involvement of the US in the defence of the Baltic countries and proposed that other NATO countries follow the example of the Baltic States, Poland and other NATO members and speed up the allocation of 2 % or more of the GDP to defence.

The abovementioned provisions have been incorporated in the Resolution of the Seimas on the Significance of the Baltic Way (draft No XIIIP-3781), which was unanimously adopted by 95 votes in favour.

The Resolution notes that the Baltic Way gave an ultimate impetus to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of national democratic movements. ‘Alongside the Polish Solidarity and the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Baltic Way proved to be a critical milestone of the 20th century,’ the document reads.

The Resolution also underlines that ‘the Baltic Way is the way of human courage, determination and unity, which has led the Baltic countries to freedom and independence. The Baltic Way, which turned into a manifestation of respect for human rights, showed that the nations of the Baltic countries were part of the Western civilisation.’

The Resolution was proposed by Emanuelis Zingeris, Member of the Seimas.

Rimas Rudaitis, Chief Specialist, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 239 6132, e-mail: [email protected]