On the occasion of the Balts’ Unity Day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Audronius Ažubalis and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs jointly agreed to emphasize the special ties between two countries and nations.

The Balts – the Lithuanians and the Latvians living on the coast of the Baltic Sea for thousands of years, managed to preserve their languages and cherished original culture, despite continuous struggle for their existence that caused enormous human losses and material harm.

As a practical example of synergy in bilateral cooperation serves the implementation of the Recommendations of the Report on the Latvian-Lithuanian Cooperation Perspectives, which was launched by Prime Ministers on 2 December 2011 in Visaginas.

Following the said Recommendations, the prepared by both countries Action plans, where proposals of line ministries are summarized, witness that strong people to people contacts between our friendly nations is the main driving force for our future cooperation.

The duty to maintain the identity of the Balts as well as our brotherhood for even closer bilateral cooperation could be realized through creating the joint cultural space. Pursuant to the Recommendations of the Report on the Latvian-Lithuanian Cooperation Perspectives, common celebration of the Balts’ Unity Day with the participation of high level officials from both countries is one of the joint initiatives already to be realized this year.. The celebration will take place in Bauska on 22 September (link to the program of the event) and it is symbolic that Ministers of Culture from both countries will open it. 

The development of extensive and versatile links connecting Latvians and Lithuanians – contribute to the stability, competitiveness and prosperity of Baltic region as well as makes the voice of our countries stronger in the EU and other international institutions.

The close and fruitful cooperation between educational institutions and language agencies helps to enhance the interaction between both languages and cultures especially in the border regions.

Our further work on common actions on social issues, science, strengthening the youth cooperation, creation of common information space as well as  promotion of   Lithuanian and Latvian cultural cooperation;will continue for the long-term and harmonic development of our nations.

Let common values, ideas and cultural heritage, symbolizing the unity of Balts, to serve as a guide for our distinguished achievements in the future!

22 September, 2012