Speeches

Welcome Remarks by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Conference

Distinguished Participants of the Lithuanian-Nordic Conference,

In ancient times, the Vikings would sail their goods up and down the rivers of our country. After the foundation of the Hanseatic League, trade contacts became even more intensive. The intricate pathways of history would either bring us together or separate us, but we were always bound by the Baltic Sea, by common values and shared interests.

When twenty years ago we regained independence, the Nordic Council of Ministers was the first international organization to establish its office in Vilnius.

It was symbolic because, first and foremost, we are part of the Baltic Sea Region. This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the reestablishment of Lithuania's diplomatic relations with Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden. Close diplomatic ties added momentum to the economic and cultural contacts maintained by the Nordic and Baltic states.

Today we continue building our region's identity. Together with the Nordic countries we successfully coordinate foreign policy issues in the European Union and in the Nordic Baltic Eight.

The Baltic States are actively engaged in the Nordic Council of Ministers' Nordplus programmes to develop quality and innovation in education systems. Joint projects for public administration, cultural and business mobility have proved to be truly effective.

The exchange of experiences and best practice is the key principle of Northern European solidarity - and the underlying theme of this conference.

I wish the Conference to be interesting, successful and very useful to us all. I would also like to thank our Nordic neighbors for the twenty years of support extended from the very first moment of being with us after our re-independence. You came and brought not only knowledge, but also the warmth of your heart, medicinal assistance and everything you could share. We feel your help and understanding even today. I am happy and proud that you have been with us from the very beginning.

Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania