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Address by the President of the Republic on the 80th Anniversary of the Republic of Latvia In the Latvian National Opera on November 18, 1998
18.11.1998

Mr. President Ulmanis,
and. Madame Ulmane,
Mr. President Adamkus,
Mr. Ex-President Brazauskas,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen, and first of all my Latvian friends.

Allow me to extend to you my most cordial congratulations on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the Republic of Latvia.

Once again, it is time for celebration here on the coasts of our Baltic Sea, for 80 years ago Europe, devastated by World War I, gave birth to newly independent nations. Nine months ago, on February 24, the Republic of Estonia celebrated her 80-th Anniversary. Now, it is Latvia`s turn to rejoice. Traditionally, flags are also flying all over Estonia today. To honour the 80-th Anniversary of the Latvian State, our closest neighbour. The celebration of the Latvian people brings joy to the hearts of the Estonians. As children of Europe and the closest neighbours, we have a lot in common, a lot that unites us and makes it easy to understand each other, and also a lot of differences that will enrich our common European home in the future. It sounds indeed paradoxical that we are now returning home - the home that we never really left.

On birthdays, it is a custom to look back: to assess and analyse the past achievements, to look for casual relations, and to answer the same urgent questions all over again. This work was done in Latvia - just like in Estonia - prior to the Anniversary, and is bound to continue long after the feast is over.

In my short address, I only wish to speak briefly of the year preceding this celebration in Latvia, a year that will be remembered long for the trials and tribulations it has brought. Your determination to show that neither outward pressure nor inner plights would break you has brought you international recognition. It has undoubtedly been a very difficult year, but we were firm in our belief that Latvia would not give up.

Your success has been an inspiration to other candidate countries, including Estonia. I am sure that the people of Latvia appreciate the high rating of Latvia's economic and political success conveyed in the Report of the European Commission. In my recent conversation with Hans van den Broek, the EC Commissioner of External Affairs, I was further confirmed of the validity of the opinions and the straightforwardness of the ideas expressed in the Report. Latvia has been very successful, and soon the success will be consummated by the invitation to the accession negotiations, Latvia being possibly the only new country to be included to the first wave of accession.

Estonia has been a consistent supporter of Latvia and we will continue on the same track. Congratulations, Latvia! Estonia wishes you strength and determination in attaining the goals facing both our peoples!

Mr. Ulmanis, allow me to hand over this present from the people of Estonia: a sculpture called ''The Dialogue'' by the Estonian artist Rait Prääts. Let this piece of art, where both Latvian and Estonian colours are visible, symbolise the historical affinity of our peoples, and our wish for a continuous dialogue: for the possibility to speak and to listen to friends!

 

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