Jūsu ekselences,
Dāmas un kungi!
Man ir patiess prieks būt kopā ar Jums un sveikt visus LATO, Konrāda Adenauera fonda un Pasaules Brīvo Latviešu Apvienības organizētās konferences dalībniekus. Ir pagājuši gandrīz trīs gadi, kopš mēs tikāmies LATO dibināšanas sapulcē. Tolaik Latvija jau bija aktīvi uzsākusi sagatavošanās procesus tās integrācijai Ziemeļatlantijas aliansē. Tolaik LATO tika dibināta, lai veicinātu Latvijas virzību uz NATO un lai izglītotu sabiedrību par pamatprincipiem un vērtībām, kuras vieno Ziemeļatlantijas līguma organizācijas valstis.
Šis svarīgais darbs vēl ir jāturpina, lai nodrošinātu Latvijas iedzīvotāju saliedētu atbalstu valsts tālākajai integrācijai NATO aliansē. Šobrīd varam visi justies gandarīti par LATO panākumiem šī atbalsta veicināšanā. Izsaku cerību, ka mūsu kopējais sapnis par Latvijas atgriešanos Eiropas brīvo un turīgo valstu saimē īstenosies 2004. gadā ar Latvijas uzņemšanu NATO un Eiropas savienībā.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure for me to welcome such a large number of delegates from so many countries to this international conference, which is being jointly organized by LATO, the Konrad Adenauer Fund and the World Federation of Free Latvians. In March of 2000 I had the privilege to address LATO’s founding conference. I am pleased at LATO’s accomplishments since then in promoting Latvia’s entry into the NATO Alliance, and in maintaining a high level of Latvian public support for this top foreign policy priority.
Two weeks ago in Prague, NATO’s member states made the historical decision to invite Latvia and six other former captive nations to accede to the Alliance. This was a day that Latvia and her fellow aspirant countries had been awaiting for a very long time. For Latvia and her neighbours, the decision in Prague represents a vindication of the principles of international justice. It signifies an end to the last sequels of the Second World War, which began with the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact in 1939 and which resulted in the immoral division of Europe into outdated “spheres of influence.”
Our people know the value of liberty and the loss of it. Our people know the meaning of security and the loss of it. Now, at the beginning of the 21st century, we have gained the assurance that we shall no longer be left out in the cold to face the threat of suffering and injustice. We have regained the right to enjoy the same rights and responsibilities that NATO has been defending for so long.
Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and four other aspirant countries have travelled a long and difficult road to receive the recognition and trust that has been accorded them. We are grateful to NATO’s member states for their faith in us and hope that the ratification process will not experience any undue delays. We thank President Bush for expressing his personal support to us in Vilnius on November the 23rd. We shall continue to do what is necessary to meet all of the necessary criteria for NATO membership. And we shall contribute in a meaningful manner to the strength of the Alliance.
I extend a particular welcome to the representatives from Ukraine, Georgia and other countries that are attempting to follow the same path of reform that we have been taking. We welcome the continuation of NATO’s open door policy and its readiness to consider the applications of other aspirant countries. We will help these countries in their efforts, just as NATO’s current members have helped us.
In just one week’s time, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and seven other countries also hope to receive official invitations to join the European Union at the Copenhagen Summit. We view accession to NATO and the EU as parallel and equally important processes for ensuring the security, stability and prosperity of our continent.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our countries have travelled far in their paths reform, but we still have a ways to go before we attain the same standards of living as our Western neighbours. I hope that today’s international conference on Latvia’s and on Europe’s future within the framework of NATO and the EU helps to place many important issues in a clearer perspective. I am confident that the discussions at this conference will be fruitful and stimulating, as we work together to realize our dream of a stronger and more united European continent.