Speeches

2010-10-19 Welcome Address by President Dalia Grybauskaitė to the Participants of the Seimas Sitting Dedicated to the 35th Anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act and to Lithuania’s Upcoming OSCE Chairmanship

The Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe signed in Helsinki in 1975 was an extraordinary event of great political significance to Europe. The Helsinki Accords provided the groundwork for economic, scientific and environmental cooperation, defined a framework for European security, and built a foundation for trust and confidence among the nations, placing a special focus on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The document reaffirmed the inviolability of national borders.

2010-10-08 Word of Welcome by President Dalia Grybauskaitė to the Participants of the Third Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine

I welcome all of you who have gathered here for the Third Session of the Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian Parliamentary Assembly. 2010 is a special year for Lithuania, for the three Baltic states and for this assembly. It not only marks the fifth anniversary of the Trilateral Parliamentary Assembly, but also celebrates the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Žalgiris – a proud anniversary that we commemorated in July with all our countries represented in the jubilee events.

2010-10-05 Remarks by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Life Saving Cross Awards Ceremony

As we pay tribute to the victims of the Jewish genocide in Lithuania, we pay tribute and honor those who gave the inherent right to life back to the living doomed to die. When they offered the safety of their home to Jews, Lithuanian families knew very well that they placed themselves in grave danger.

2010-09-24 Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the general debate of the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York

I am delighted and privileged to address this House. I believe this is the right place to discuss the issues of greatest concern to the international community. The recent years have been marked by many challenges. All countries, large and small, had to tackle the financial and economic crisis. They also had to deal with the painful consequences of natural and man-created disasters.

2010-09-24 Remarks by H.E. President Dalia Grybauskaitė at the Panel Discussion “Women as a Critical Force in Democratic Governance” hosted by the Community of Democracies and the Council of Women World Leaders

When Lithuania took over the presidency of the Community of Democracies, the issue of women’s rights and empowerment was chosen as one of the key areas of focus. On April 12th this year, I had the pleasure to open a convening meeting of the Community of Democracies working group on gender equality and women’s rights in Vilnius. It was then that the idea of dedicating this UN Democracy Caucus meeting to women’s role in promoting democratic governance first came up, and I am happy to see it realized in collaboration with the Council of Women World Leaders.

2010-09-14 Remarks by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė at the Internet Governance Forum

Distinguished Participants of the Internet Governance Forum, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Your numerous presence here clearly underlines the importance and necessity of this forum. The Internet – which was born not so long ago, in the second half of the 20th century – has become an integral part of our everyday life. It impossible to imagine modern business, public services, the spread of information, cultural exchanges, person-to-person contacts, entertainment, and leisure without the global electronic network.

2010-07-14 Remarks by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Grunwald Monument in Kraków

Your Excellency President Bronisław Komorowski, Your Excellency Sejm Marshal Grzegorz Schetyna, Mr. President of Kraków, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is here at this very impressive Monument to the Battle of Žalgiris that, on behalf of the Lithuanian people, I send my greetings and congratulations to our sister nation of Poland on the occasion of the 600th anniversary of our joint historic victory.

2010-07-14 Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Fourth Convention of Honorary Consuls of Lithuania

This is the fourth convention which has brought you together in Vilnius. I know that for you such meetings are intensive working sessions: you not only exchange information about the work done, but share ideas and inspiration for fresh initiatives. I would say that this is the best time for new beginnings.

2010-07-06 Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, in Daukanto Square on the Occasion of State Day

Today we celebrate a very special date in the history of our nation - July 6 - which marks the beginning of Lithuanian statehood. More than seven hundred years ago, Lithuania united under a crown. It was a resolute step made by the Baltic tribes led by Mindaugas on the international arena of those times. It made Lithuania stronger, protected her from enemies who from then on had to speak with us in the language of diplomacy, not the threat of war.

2010-07-06 Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the State Awards Ceremony

On this day of great importance to the nation, which marks the coronation of Lithuania, we have gathered here to honor prominent Lithuanian and foreign nationals who have made a significant contribution to raising civic awareness, spreading scientific thought, expanding the ideals of arts and humanity, and establishing the name of Lithuania in the world.