Dear Audience, Politically Repressed, Relatives, and Supporters,
I
I am extremely honoured to have the opportunity to address you at this assembly because you are part of our nation, which has experienced a special destiny of great importance to our nation. Our politically repressed people are a living reminder of what the totalitarian occupation power has done to us. That power changed your lives; these lives have taken a different direction than they should have taken.
Many of your fellow sufferers stayed in Siberia, they have not survived, but you are here, and that is why I am trying to address all of you here again about the importance of this meeting for us as a whole, Latvia.
II
Why did you get to where you came? Because the occupying power was afraid of you. They were afraid of your strength, your faith in Latvia, the belief that Latvia would be free once again. In addition, they were afraid throughout that occupation, not only in the beginning but also afterwards; hence you did not have the opportunity to live an equal life with other residents of Latvia at the time when you came back from Siberia.
In spite of the evil of the occupation power, you were able to maintain faith in Latvia, to preserve that faith, and pass it on to future generations, and that is extremely important. If the faith had not been passed on to future generations, it would have ceased. Therefore, it is extremely important that the younger generation also listens to your stories, listens to this page of our history that belongs to Latvia. Hence, I am glad to see so many representatives of the young generation, including the participants of the National Union workshop, who have come here to participate in this event.
III
I am delighted to see Member of the European Parliament Sandra Kalniete, who is your fellow sufferer and the only representative of that destiny in the European Parliament. Ms Sandra Kalniete has really done much to include that page of history, which is important to our people, into the common historical memory of Europe because the common history of Europe and the way it is shaped are also crucial to us. I must say that there is a certain imbalance between our historical experience, which is important to us, and the fact that it has not yet taken on as important a role in the common history of Europe as it should be so far. That is why Ms Sandra Kalniete is doing it in the European Parliament, but we must also make sure that the common history of Europe everywhere includes our history of Latvia, including this tragic page you have experienced yourselves.
IV
The restoration of independence was associated with the restoration of historical justice. This is what you expected from the public. At the same time, we can also state that it is not that easy. Even 30 years after the restoration of independence, we can see that the public position on those issues is often closer to showing understanding to those who cooperated with the occupation power and not so much to showing understanding to the victims of the occupation power.
We must, therefore, work to bring the vision of our history into line with the Constitution of Latvia stipulating, “The people of Latvia honour the victims and condemn the occupation regime.” It must also be the dominant public position when evaluating the occupation regime.
V
Very soon, one will mark 30 years since the Baltic Way on August 23. We have been a free and democratic country for 30 years, and we have achieved a great deal on this path. At the same time, there are also many drawbacks that we are constantly trying to eliminate.
VI
In my address to the Saeima after giving an oath of the President of Latvia, I have proposed or called on Latvia to become a modern Northern European country in the 2020s, which is the next decade starting soon. In many areas, Latvia has the potential to become a model for other countries. I think this applies not only to special technologies, where we really have good implementations, but also to the way we view our past integrally, and also to our ethical stance on our history, democratic, ethical stance. You are also the ones who need help and help to build this kind of awareness in society.
Today I would like to emphasise the acute problem of inequality in Latvia in particular. When Europe was discussing multi-speed Europe with some countries moving forward and some countries staying behind, we might not have noticed that Latvia has turned into a multi-speed country. There are people who already live in a modern, democratic, and developed country, and there are people who are not there yet. That is why we must make sure that these scissors of multi-speed Latvia do not become too big so that everyone can enjoy the common benefit provided by our economics and our politics, the development of our country, and of course, that you also participate.
I know that many politically repressed people experience hardships, pensions are small, and allowances are small. The President of Latvia is not entitled to decide regarding money. Under the Constitution of Latvia, it is within the competence of the Saeima and the Cabinet of Ministers, but the President of Latvia can supervise whether politicians keep their promises. I will always remind them of what they have promised before. This could be the role of the President of Latvia in addressing those issues.
VII
I thank the Association of Politically Repressed People of Latvia and Mr Kaļķis personally for his contribution in shaping the historical memory of Latvia, for what you do for the repressed people and for all the people.
Thank you for gathering here, as this assembly is an important event not only for you but also for all of us as you remind us of this page of history and you can share your thoughts on Latvia, tell your personal experience stories, and share them with the younger generation at the same time.
May you be inspired by this moment of togetherness and increase faith and confidence in the Republic of Latvia.
Thank you!