“It is a great honor for me to celebrate this special day with you, here at the House of Lithuanian Democracy. This is the place where you said no to occupation. This is the place where you regained your independence. From here you have brought your nation back to the center of Europe and Euro-Atlantic security. This is the house of wisdom and vision”, U. von der Leyen said at the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s membership in the European Union held in the Seimas.
“It was in 1991. the night of January 13. Soviet tanks and soldiers were moving through Vilnius, ready to storm this building and destroy your democracy. However, more than fifty thousand people from all over Lithuania gathered here. All night until morning they stood shoulder to shoulder – singing, chanting and praying. Their only weapon was the love of freedom. They held back the most feared army on Earth. Such are the inhabitants of Lithuania. This is the spirit of Lithuania: fearless and free,” she emphasized.
The Chairperson of the EC emphasized that just over a decade later, the people of Lithuania were again at the forefront of changes.
“More than 90 percent Lithuanians voted for joining the European Union. This choice changed not only your country, but the whole of Europe. Because when you joined the EU, our Union returned to its roots. The history of your resistance has made the Lithuanian nation unique. Unique in its love of freedom, support for other freedom-loving nations and intolerance of any form of coercion,” she said.
“Since you joined, you have reminded us what the European project has always been. This is our continent’s path to freedom. This is a story of young and old democracies growing together. So Europe Day is dedicated to you”, stressed U. von der Leyen.
She emphasized that Lithuania has always been at the center of European history.
“You have always nurtured close ties not only with your immediate neighbors, but also with Scandinavia, Central Europe and further afield, on the Black Sea. All this was made impossible by the Iron Curtain. But now Lithuania has regained its rightful place in Europe. And this is homecoming. Because even if you are at the geographical border of our Union, you are the core of European life”, said the President of the EC in her speech.
U. von der Leyen called Lithuania’s twentieth year in the EU a great success story.
“Europe’s success story and Lithuania’s success story, because you turned your vision and dreams into reality. You are a country of innovators and entrepreneurs. And your talent is now recognized across the continent. Your startups have expanded far beyond your borders and conquered European markets. Your capital Vilnius is a growing technology center that attracts people and investments from abroad,” she said.
During the event, the President of the EC also admitted that Europe had not listened to Lithuania’s warnings about the dangers posed by Russia for a long time. However, she emphasized that the EU stands firmly against Russian aggression today.
“For many years, Lithuania has warned Europe about the dangers posed by Russia. After 2014 you said that Putin will not stop. And Europe needed to listen! It took us too long to wake up to the threat of Putin’s Russia. However, today our Union stands firmly by your side for freedom and against aggression”, stressed U. von der Leyen.
“We have now joined forces again to strengthen our defense industry, with the Seimas passing legislation that is in line with our European Defense Industry Strategy. Because your defense is the defense of Europe. Your freedom is the freedom of Europe. Today, more than ever before, Lithuania can rely on Europe. In the same way, Europe can count on you,” she emphasized.
Europe Day is celebrated on May 9 in Lithuania and throughout Europe. On this occasion, the President of the European Commission (EC) U. von der Leyen is visiting Lithuania on Thursday, commemorations and festive events are taking place in the capital.
