Speeches

2010-01-13 Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Ceremony of Presentation of January 13 Medals

January 13 will always live in our hearts as a day of defending freedom and manifesting national unity. A day when we stood together – oblivious of social, ethnic or religious differences – to protect our homeland and liberty.

2009-12-31 New Year Greetings from President Dalia Grybauskaitė

Dear Fellow People of Lithuania,

As we celebrate the New Year with joy and excitement, I wish to extend my greetings to you all. This past year was difficult, but we came through with more life experience and wisdom. We can now look at ourselves and our pursuits more honestly. We can reflect on what each of us has done to build an open, tolerant and fair Lithuania.

2009-12-24 Christmas Eve Greetings from President Dalia Grybauskaitė

Dear Fellow People of Lithuania,

On this beautiful Christmas Eve, we have joined with those we love to share bread, the warmth of our hearts and all that we have. Together we grow stronger in spirit and faith. We are looking forward to tomorrow with hope and joy.

2009-11-11 Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Celebration of the 91st Anniversary of Polish Independence Day

On behalf of all the people of Lithuania, I extend my sincere congratulations to you on the occasion of Independence Day! I am delighted and honored to be here in Warsaw and to be part of your celebrations today.

2009-11-04 Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Forum for Creative Society: Linking Arts, Education and Business

Lithuania as a creative nation aspiring to innovation – that is my vision of the future. We have to become creative innovators not only in Europe, but also in the world. To build a Lithuania like that, it will take the efforts of each and every person. Lithuania’s economic growth, its social well being and the pride that its citizens have for their country will depend on our innovative ideas and our creative ability to translate them into reality. The future of Lithuania will be shaped through the interaction of culture, education, science, business, and other domains. We have many talented people, but we are lacking streamlined endeavors to create new products and we have no tradition of cross-sectoral collaboration. We also have a deep-rooted conviction that scientists, artists and entrepreneurs do not mix well.

2009-10-19 Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the ASEM Transport Ministers' Meeting in Vilnius

I am delighted that the initiative put forward by Lithuania back in 2007 - to invite ASEM and basic transport and logistics partners from other countries to a high-level meeting - has been realized. Until now ASEM would bring together foreign, economic, finance, and culture ministers and experts. Today we are launching a new stage in ASEM activities. The most prominent transport representatives from Europe and Asia have gathered here in Lithuania. This initiative would have been impossible without the support of all ASEM countries, particularly China that together with Lithuania is hosting the forum.

2009-09-24 The Address of H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the United Nations General Assembly Session in New York

Today the international community is striving to meet challenges that the founders of the United Nations could not have envisioned sixty five years ago. At the same time, the founding principles of the United Nations have not changed. Provision of joint security and prosperity, safeguarding of human rights – all this remains the impetus for UN actions as it was sixty years ago. Countries who gather here, big and small, have a common responsibility as members of the United Nations to uphold and cherish the ideals embodied in the UN Charter.

2009-08-23 Address by President D. Grybauskaitė at Special Parliamentary Sitting Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Baltic Way

Today, as we are celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the Baltic Way, we cannot forget the road that brought us there, the path that we traversed and how we were then, the things that gave us strength in a struggle which seemed at first glance to be unequal, the values that encouraged and inspired us.

2009-08-21 Remarks by President D.Grybauskaitė at the opening of the exhibition “The Aftermath of Prague Spring and Charter 77 in Latvia/the Baltics"

I have just visited the Museum of Genocide Victims where I saw tragic evidence of our brutal and painful past. I saw the KGB inner prison and the execution chamber and once again I was deeply shocked and saddened.

2009-07-12 Inaugural Address by President Dalia Grybauskaitė Vilnius, Daukanto Square

I am here because such was your will and such was my choice. I have sworn to the Nation and I am determined to dedicate my utmost efforts to the well-being of the people of Lithuania.