PRIME MINISTERS OF THREE BALTIC STATES SIGN A JOINT DECLARATION ON DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR VICTIMS OF STALINISM AND NAZISM
On August 23 in Vilnius, at the Castle on Gediminas hill, where 20 years ago the human chain that united the three Baltic nations started, the prime ministers have signed a Joint Declaration on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Baltic Way.
JOINT DECLARATION OF THE PRIME MINISTERS’ COUNCIL OF THE BALTIC COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
ON THE OCCASION OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BALTIC WAY
Vilnius, 23 August 2009
The Prime Minister of Estonia Mr. Andrus Ansip, the Prime Minister of Latvia Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis and the Prime Minister of Lithuania Mr. Andrius Kubilius
commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Baltic Way - a historic act of the Baltic solidarity and non-violent protest against the Soviet occupation of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as a consequence of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact,
recalling the Declaration on Unity and Cooperation by the Republic of Estonia, Republic of Latvia and Republic of Lithuania, signed in 1990, which re-established a full-scale cooperation of the Baltic States in line with the Treaty on Concord and Cooperation concluded by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in Geneva in 1934,
declare the following:
The Baltic Way was a unique and peaceful demonstration that united the people of the three countries in their drive for freedom by 600 km long human chain on 23 August 1989, which consequently led to independence of the Baltic States and brought important changes to the modern history of Europe and the world. The recent decision to include the Baltic Way into the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme acknowledged a remarkable meaning of this historic event.
Recalling recent resolutions of the European Parliament and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Prime Ministers welcome the initiative to proclaim the 23rd of August as a Europe-wide Day of Remembrance for the victims of Stalinism and Nazism. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will continue their joint efforts with a view to preserve historical memory and ensure honest and open appraisal of common European totalitarian legacy of the 20th century.
The Baltic Way and subsequent restoration of the independence of the three countries opened a new era of cooperation among the Baltic States which has highly proved its success in the process of their integration to the Euro-Atlantic institutions. The Baltic Prime Ministers express strong determination to further strengthen the ties between their countries in shaping EU and NATO policies based on shared values and strategic interests of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Andrus Ansip Valdis Dombrovskis Andrius Kubilius
Prime Minister of the Prime Minister of the Prime Minister of the
Republic of Estonia Republic of Latvia Republic of Lithuania
