Speeches

2010-06-01 Opening Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Baltic Development Forum Summit

I welcome all of you who have gathered in Vilnius. Your numerous presence here shows that we are bound together not only by the Baltic Sea, but also by common concerns, common challenges and surely by joint success! A meeting of such a high level provides a venue not only for highlighting and discussing problems, but also for making the necessary decisions that cannot be put off much longer.

2010-05-14 Welcome Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, to Baltic Sea Region Youth Event "B-Young"

I sincerely welcome all of you who have gathered to this youth event in Vilnius. I am delighted that young people are showing interest in the future development of the Baltic Sea region and in the problems of today. It is great to see your active contribution to building a youth-led platform for long-term cooperation and the protection youth interests. I consider good relations with neighboring countries and regional cooperation to be a top priority in Lithuania's foreign policy.

2010-05-04 Speech by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Declaration of the Restoration of Latvian Independence Riga, 4 May 2010

Dear Latvian Brothers and Sisters, My cordial congratulations to all of you on the National Day of Latvia!

2010-03-11 Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, in Independence Square on the Occasion of the 20th Anniversary of Reestablished Lithuanian Independence

Today we are celebrating the day of Lithuania’s historic opportunity – the unique opportunity to live in freedom and to choose our future path.

2010-03-11 Speech by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the parliamentary sitting to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Reestablished Lithuanian Independence

Today is a very special day. We are celebrating twenty years of reestablished independence - the anniversary of free Lithuania. Independence was the ultimate goal that united the people, lighting the fire of Sąjūdis and kindling the hearts of all.

2010-03-10 Remarks by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Ceremony of Presentation of Medals to Signatories of the Independence Act of March 11

On this festive day we come to understand very clearly the great significance of the events in which we participated, and the immense importance of the decisions that you made twenty years ago. You were in the very heart of those events and you knew, better than anyone else, the hopes and expectations of our people and also of the threats they faced. You stayed in the forefront and never wavered in bringing the people together in Sąjūdis, leading them to elections and proclaiming on their behalf the reestablishment of Lithuanian independence.

2010-02-16 Remarks by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the National Awards Ceremony

Lithuania and creativity are two words that go powerfully hand in hand. Since ancient times, our ancestors had been building a state and creating a nation. And we continue doing it every day. It is symbolic that every year on February 16 we honor and applaud the winners of National Culture and Art Awards – men and women who embody the creative spirit of our people. It is great that in your creative endeavors you promote diversity and celebrate continuity.

2010-02-16 Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Flag Raising Ceremony in Daukanto Square

Dear Fellow People of Lithuania, Distinguished and Honorable Guests! It was ninety two years ago today that twenty honest and enlightened representatives of the people signed a document of outstanding importance – the Declaration of Independence of February 16 – proclaiming the restoration of an independent, democratically organized Lithuanian State, with Vilnius as capital, and the abolition of all political ties which have existed with other nations.

2010-02-16 Remarks by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Ceremony of Presentation of State Decorations

Distinguished Participants and Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, We have gathered on this important day in our national calendar to honor the deeds and accomplishments that forever embody the spirit of freedom and liberty, all that unites us on the road of independence. As we remember the signatories, volunteers, partisans, deportees, and resistance fighters who sacrificed their lives to restore, assert and advance independence, we pledge to continue their work guided by the values and ideals they cherished.

2010-02-12 Remarks by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the ceremony of handing over flowers to be laid at the graves of signatories of the February 16 Act of Independence

I extend my congratulations to you all on February 16 – a day of great national significance. Some of the events on the path of building a state can change the destiny of a nation. Such was the Declaration of Lithuanian Independence which dedicated the nation to the values of freedom. The spirit of resolve proclaimed by twenty prominent representatives of the people elected to the Council of Lithuania paved the way to the restoration of Lithuanian statehood.