Speeches

Toast Remarks by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the State Dinner in Riga

Your Excellency Mr. President,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to have the opportunity to be with you again in Latvia, our sister nation and friend. I would like to sincerely thank you for the warm reception and hospitality extended to me and the Lithuanian delegation.

More than twenty years ago we stood up together for the right to live in free and independent Latvia and Lithuania so that we can ourselves decide our future and no one dictates us how to live and manage in our countries.

We have attained the ultimate goal and today we are working to consolidate our achievements. Close dialogue and cooperation between our nations has become daily practice. We talk and closely coordinate our efforts at bilateral level, in the European Union and in NATO whose members we have been for eight years now.

It is very pleasing to note that after joining the European Union and NATO we did not relax and continued to work together, representing and actively protecting the interests of our people.

We made bold decisions that allowed us to bring the consequences of a serious and painful crisis under control. We can be proud of what we have achieved, and there is hardly anything else that better promotes our countries and the whole region than the work we are doing.

Your Excellency Mr. President,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today's state dinner is held at the House of Blackheads - one of the oldest and most exquisite buildings in Riga - the history of which runs along similar lines to the history of our two countries.

The House of Blackheads was first mentioned in 1334. Exactly 71 years ago, in June of 1941, the House was destroyed by bomb attacks. It was rebuilt when Latvia regained independence. Today it is not only the centerpiece of attraction for tourists or lovers of architecture in Riga, but it also immortalizes the deeply rooted and rich history of your city and your nation.

The Brotherhood of Blackheads as a military organization and a commercial association is unique in European history - just like the contribution of your nation to the history of Europe. It is therefore delightful to see that you have revived the building and its historical background to new life. You have demonstrated that nobody can ever erase your memory and pride in national history.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In 2000, the Lithuanian and Latvian parliaments pronounced September 22 as the Balts Unity Day. I strongly hope that this year, as we celebrate our togetherness, we will highlight not only the bonds that connect our two nations, but will also add a fresh momentum to the work we have been carrying out in the best interests of Latvia, Lithuania and their people.

I propose a toast to cooperation between our nations. May the spirit which inspired us in 1918 and 1990 to fight for independence and gave us strength to withstand all attempts to obliterate or downgrade our history, continue driving us forward as we work hand in hand for the good of our people and countries.

To the unity of Balts!

Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania

Last updated: 2012-06-12 19:24