Madam Speaker of the Saeima!
Madam Prime Minister!
Dear Mr Veismanis!
Distinguished participants, political repressed!
Each year, in March and June, we gather here to commemorate those who suffered political repression. We honour the victims of communist genocide under Soviet occupation. Every year, we come together in remembrance, and every year we seem to search for words - words to remind ourselves of our past, of our history. Words to tell society, to tell the world, that what took place in 1941 and 1949 is something we never wish to experience again.
Today, once again, we bow our heads in memory of those who perished in Soviet camps. Today, once again, we reflect on the events of that time. Yet today is also a moment when many once again feel deeply unsettling developments in the world, witnessing efforts to divide the world into spheres of influence, seeing evil advance - an evil that is not so easily stopped.
Among the people here, there is once again concern, anxiety, and fear. This is understandable, for our history teaches us to remain vigilant. It is also understandable, for we see that, no matter how much the forces of good wish to defeat evil, they do not always succeed. We see that the war in Ukraine continues. We see that Ukraine is experiencing today what our nation endured more than 70 years ago. We also understand that without support for Ukraine, this evil cannot be defeated. We will not be able to find peace within our own minds.
But this is also a moment for us to understand that we are not alone. We have allies, near and far. We know that we must strengthen our defence and security capabilities, and we are doing so. We know this because our history compels us to remain vigilant. I, therefore, call on everyone not to be ashamed of fear, but rather to act - to take steps that make us stronger and more resilient so that we may stand against any form of aggression. For we are only as strong as our will. Our Latvia will be as strong as we are.
God bless Latvia!
