18th Anniversary of Lithuania's Accession to the European Union and Europe Day
On May 1 we are celebrating the 18th anniversary of Lithuania’s membership of the European Union. Over these years, we have become a politically and economically strong, modern state. Our voice is increasingly making itself heard not only in the region, but also in the great arenas of world politics. Today we are more confident than ever before that accession to the European Union was an important historical step in the right direction, a values-based choice for the people of Lithuania.
Ukraine made its European choice irrevocable already in 2013. The people of this country are now heroically defending not only their cities, Ukraine’s sovereignty and freedom, but also Europe’s core values.
The war in Ukraine is a deadly struggle for the future of a democratic Europe. It is also a painful reminder to Europeans that the peace and freedom that we take for granted is not a given. This is the daily work and the responsibility of all of us. It is therefore extremely important that Ukraine should not bel left alone in the fight for its survival today. Ukraine needs not only our concrete and comprehensive support, but also a clear commitment of the European Union to grant it a candidate status. This would send a clear and encouraging message to Ukrainians, who are dying for their freedom, that the place of Ukraine is in the European family.
Lithuanians have no doubts about this. We all sincerely and consistently support Ukraine and the people of Belarus, Moldova and Georgia in their fight for freedom and democracy. Our actions speak for us as citizens of a state, which has already reached maturity and become a full member of the European Union.
Congratulations on the upcoming Europe Day!
