Speaker of the Seimas congratulated Iceland on Independence Day

Press release, 17 June 2023

On behalf of the Seimas and on her own behalf, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, congratulated Birgir Ármannsson, Speaker of the Althingi, on the 79th anniversary of Iceland’s independence. She extended her wishes of harmony and accord to the Althingi in its daily parliamentary activities, as well as wishes of courage and integrity in implementing the fundamental values of freedom, democracy and human rights at international level. 

The Speaker of the Seimas underlined Lithuania’s high appreciation of the courage that Iceland had demonstrated 32 years ago, as it was the first country to recognise Lithuania’s independence. ‘Today we are inspired again by this very same courage, which has made it possible to understand the importance of smaller states on the international stage in the face of the brutal aggression against Ukraine,’ Ms Čmilytė-Nielsen noted.

‘At the High-Level Meeting of Speakers of Parliaments of NATO Member Countries held in Vilnius in early June 2023, we discussed global challenges and the long-term support for Ukraine. I am confident that we will continue to do our utmost to develop parliamentary dialogue in order to restore the global order and to ensure respect for international law,’ the congratulatory letter reads.        

Photo by the Office of the Seimas

Ilona Petrovė, Spokesperson for Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6030,

mob. +370 698 42071, e-mail: [email protected], www.lrs.lt