Warm greetings to everyone gathered at the United States Capitol to honor America's contribution to Baltic freedom. I am pleased and proud to join you in welcoming President Lennart Meri to this special event.

Sixty years ago, the United States refused to recognize the forcible incorporation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania into the USSR. Throughout the intervening decades, Americans affirmed unwaveringly the independence of these nations and promoted their freedom and right to self-governance. And for 50 years, despite their sufferings, the people of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania kept faith that freedom would prevail once again in their nations. Ten years ago, their faith was rewarded as each nation regained its independence and established itself as a burgeoning democracy committed to bringing peace and stability to its own citizens and to people across Europe.

Today, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are our partners in the Baltic Charter. We share a reverence for freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. We are committed to working in partnership for a Europe that is free, peaceful, and prosperous, and to create the conditions to complete the integration of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania into European and transatlantic political, economic, security, and defense institutions.

As we mark this milestone anniversary, I congratulate all the people of the Baltic nations on their extraordinary transition to democracy, and I send best wishes for continued success and prosperity in the years to come.

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