Speeches

2011-01-13 Speech by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Day of the Defenders of Freedom

There are days in the life of every nation when the power of will, unity and resilience of its people are tested and when their fate is determined. For us that day was January 13. People from all over Lithuania, each individually and all together, stood up to defend their homeland. We clearly realized then that only freedom could preserve our homeland and independence.

2011-01-12 Remarks by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Ceremony of Awarding Commemorative Medals of January 13

This is the twentieth year that we have been commemorating the Day of the Defenders of Freedom. It was on this day that people from all over Lithuania created a human shield to protect our national parliament – the stronghold of our freedom. They stood in round-the-clock vigil around the parliament building and the TV tower, defending homeland at the cost of their lives. Lithuanian tricolors were flying together with the flags of freedom of Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, Belarus, and other nations held high by their representatives.

2010-12-31 New Year Greetings from President Dalia Grybauskaitė

I send my best wishes to you on this New Year’s Eve. As we enter 2011, we are full of hope and there is good reason for it. This past year was filled with serious challenges, but it also gave us wisdom and experience. We became stronger and more mature. The year ahead opens new opportunities to realize our aspirations. So let us come together, let us help each other, and may we succeed in our work and endeavors.

2010-12-24 Christmas Greetings from President Dalia Grybauskaitė

Today, we have joined together at Christmas Eve dinner for an evening of joy and happiness. We are surrounded by the warmth of our family and friends and we remember those who are no longer with us. We share the best that we have and we wish each other love and peace. For many of us, this year has been filled with challenges. But at the same time, it has given us many meaningful moments, unique and invaluable experience.

2010-12-02 Remarks by H.E. President Dalia Grybauskaitė at OSCE Summit in Astana

Our goal in the OSCE is clear: to build a true democratic security community without dividing lines, where all the commitments are implemented, the use of force is unthinkable, and human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected. Progress in the area of conflict resolution, based on the agreed principles we all share, is key for the future of the OSCE. I strongly believe we will use the chance to achieve progress in Moldova and I hope we can achieve progress in Georgia and over Nagorno-Karabakh.

2010-11-11 Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Celebration of the 92nd Anniversary of Polish Independence Day

For the second consecutive year, I have the honor to extend on behalf of the people of Lithuania our warmest congratulations to all of you on Independence Day. In 1918, after 123 years of lost independence and territorial divisions, Poland restored its statehood.

2010-10-25 Remarks by President Dalia Grybauskaitė at the Opening Ceremony of the Lithuanian National Day at EXPO 2010

I am happy to extend my congratulations to China for staging this world exhibition for all to see and enjoy. Such spectacular events like the Beijing Olympic Games and the Shanghai EXPO demonstrate China’s global presence and huge potential. This exposition is also an opportunity to distant countries – such as Lithuania and China – to know each other better.

2010-10-19 Welcome Address by President Dalia Grybauskaitė to the Participants of the Seimas Sitting Dedicated to the 35th Anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act and to Lithuania’s Upcoming OSCE Chairmanship

The Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe signed in Helsinki in 1975 was an extraordinary event of great political significance to Europe. The Helsinki Accords provided the groundwork for economic, scientific and environmental cooperation, defined a framework for European security, and built a foundation for trust and confidence among the nations, placing a special focus on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The document reaffirmed the inviolability of national borders.

2010-10-08 Word of Welcome by President Dalia Grybauskaitė to the Participants of the Third Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine

I welcome all of you who have gathered here for the Third Session of the Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian Parliamentary Assembly. 2010 is a special year for Lithuania, for the three Baltic states and for this assembly. It not only marks the fifth anniversary of the Trilateral Parliamentary Assembly, but also celebrates the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Žalgiris – a proud anniversary that we commemorated in July with all our countries represented in the jubilee events.

2010-10-05 Remarks by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Life Saving Cross Awards Ceremony

As we pay tribute to the victims of the Jewish genocide in Lithuania, we pay tribute and honor those who gave the inherent right to life back to the living doomed to die. When they offered the safety of their home to Jews, Lithuanian families knew very well that they placed themselves in grave danger.