Today the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola joined President Gitanas Nauseda and the people of Lithuania in Vilnius on Restoration of Independence Day. In her address, she said that Lithuania's story echoes that of Europe: people forged in fire, who stood up to stare down empires, beat the odds and ensure freedom and democracy.
Dear President, Dear Prime Minister, Dear Speaker, Dear people of Lithuania, Dear Europeans, It is truly an honour to be here today in beautiful Vilnius. I want to thank President Nausėda for his words just now, but I also want to thank him for his leadership and commitment to this country and to Europe. Thank you, dear President. Lithuania’s story echoes the story of Europe: a people forged in history’s fire, who stared down empires to live in freedom and in dignity. I have always felt the heart of Europe beat loudly in Vilnius - and today I am so proud to hear it again. In our Europe, there are no big and no small states, there is no old Europe and new Europe. We are a Europe of equals. A Europe of values. A Europe of strength. A Europe founded on the democratic principles that Lithuania’s Act of Independence laid down. No one knows better than the people of Lithuania that no propaganda, weather balloons or hybrid threats will ever stop Europeans from living as we choose to live, in control of our own destiny. The same desire that once drove a small group in the cold winter of 1918, to affirm Lithuania’s right to govern itself, this runs through Lithuania’s entire history - through generations who refused to abandon who they were, who kept language, culture and hope alive. When your country joined the European Union 22 years ago, you helped shape the Union we know today. And now, when Europe faces difficult choices, Lithuania and all the Baltic States continue to show, through their actions, what together we can achieve. My message today is simple: the story of Lithuania and the story of Europe will be written together: we are one. And together we are strong, we are driven and we are united. Whatever Lithuania may face, we will face it together. Lithuania has so much to be proud of: from developing some of the most innovative industries, to leading Europe during your Presidency, to your Members of the European Parliament, to your Commissioner leading the charge for Europe’s defence. This great nation has shown the world what you can do, and you have shown Europe what we can all do together. And together, we must ensure dignity and freedom for our friends in Ukraine. Europe has stood with Ukraine from the very first day, and we will not step back. Because the future of Ukraine will determine the future of Europe. Today, here in Vilnius, Lithuania reminds all of Europe who we are, and what we stand for. Long live Lithuania! Long live Europa!
You can read the President's speech in Lithuanian here.