Dear Colleague, President of Lithuania Nausėda, Our Lithuanian Brothers and Sisters, Dear Compatriots,
I
It is with great pleasure that on such a significant day we have the opportunity to meet again and give our hand across the border.
Borders define us, borders divide us, but borders also unite us. Most importantly that the Baltic Way, which promoted and was the starting point for the restoration of the independence of our countries, showed that we defined our own national borders. We did not ask for freedom, we took it.
II
Our communication opportunities have changed in 30 years. Where the organisers of the Baltic Way communicated via telephone and radio, the virtual world now offers us more opportunities to communicate. However, digital opportunities only enhance and complement our communication, but they do not outweigh real encounters, real handshakes, real eyewink and the warming sense of community we feel here again 30 years after the Baltic Way by any means.
III
I congratulate our the organisers of our Tautas Fronte, Mr Ivars Godmanis, Members of the Parliament, Ms Velta Čebotarenoka, Ms Ilma Čepāne, and other Latvians who are here today with our Lithuanian brothers to commemorate this event. I also thank the Chancery of the Lithuanian Parliament and the municipalities of Bauska, Biržai, and Pasvale for organising this event.
IV
We have both achieved the restoration of independence and become members of the European Union and NATO in 30 years. Now we are present where our common future and our common further development are determined. We have a voice there and together with Lithuanians, Estonians, and other European countries we are building our common European future.
Our transport connections have also changed in 30 years. AirBaltic connects our capitals with many other capitals in Europe, but a common future project RailBaltica unites us right here on land, which will connect us with Western European networks and hopefully with Finland once.
V
A new generation has grown up in 30 years, knowing only freedom. This generation has inherited the courage and determination of the participants of the Baltic Way to make the changes we need together so that our countries become better, stronger, and more important in a common European context. We are co-responsible for shaping Europe, and we do so with great responsibility together with our Lithuanian and Estonian colleagues to ensure that our common, Lithuanian, Estonian, and Latvian, handwriting would be noticeable in the common European policy.
VI
For 30 years, the wheel of history has continued to spin, and today, we face a variety of regional and global challenges. I will not mention them all now, but we know that democracy and the state must be constantly upheld and taken care of. It is not enough that one generation did it once 30 years ago; hence, we must take care of our country every day, the future of our country. Together, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will be able to do that much better. We are together, and we will be together just as we were together then.
Tegyvuoja Baltija!
Elagu Baltimaa!
Lai dzīvo Baltija!
Long live the Baltics!
