Dear Madam Speaker of the Saeima,
Dear Madam Prime Minister,
Honourable Minister of Defence,
Mr. Commander,
Soldiers, Members of the National Guard,
Members of the Youth Guard,
Police and Border Force officers,
Members of the Rescue and Fire Fighting Service,
All Latvian patriots,
All those present,
Congratulations to everyone on Latvia's 105th birthday!
105 years ago, our country was founded thanks to the men and women who stood up to defend it. Today, we are here to reaffirm: our country and its freedom are important to us. And we are ready to defend it.
Soldiers,
Corporal Vitālijs Smirnovs sacrificed himself for the victory of Ukraine. Vitālijs had started his service in the Latvian army from the Freedom Monument Guard of Honour to the National Guard battalion in his native Līvāni parish. The same place where his great-grandfather Juris Rudzāts was killed by the Chekists in November 1945.
Vitālijs' sense of justice led him to fight for the freedom of Ukraine. He gave his life not only for Ukraine, but also for a free Latvia and Europe. His struggle was not in vain. We will keep Vitālijs in our memory. We will continue to defend our freedom and the freedom of our friends!
Thank you to every Latvian soldier who is training the defenders of Ukraine this year. We learn from the experience of Ukrainian soldiers and the will to defend the Fatherland. I especially congratulate the Ukrainian flag group. Ukraine will win! Freedom will win!
Today, for the first time, soldiers of the National Defence Service take part in the national holiday parade. I would like to thank you for being the first to sign up for service. You are a role model to emulate.
I especially welcome those border guards, national guards and soldiers who stand guard on our country's Eastern border, protecting Latvia and the European Union on a daily basis.
I congratulate our soldiers in Kosovo and Iraq. I salute Latvia's border guards and police officers in other distant places. You all carry the name of Latvia in the world with honour. Thank you for your service!
Latvia is not alone in the face of security challenges. We have allies and friends. We have NATO – 31 countries with shared values. The presence of our allied troops here in Latvia is a practical and daily reminder of the NATO pledge. Thank you for your support and shoulder.
Dear people of Latvia,
I am confident that our conviction and common determination will deter those who do not wish us well. Today's parade is yet another testament to our capabilities. But above all, we must strengthen the unity of our people and our faith in Latvia. That is our greatest strength! Because there are no things we cannot solve. There are no obstacles that we cannot overcome. We are united and our will is strong.
God bless Latvia!
