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Canada’s non-recognition policy of the Soviet annexation was vital for freedom fighters, because it helped them to console themselves with hope even in very difficult times that the so wished goal of the re-establishing of the statehood of Lithuania could be achieved, said Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis at the event dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations of Lithuania and Canada.

On this occasion, a Canadian maple tree was planted during the ceremony in the Kairėnai Park, the Botanical Garden of Vilnius University on 14 October.

A.Ažubalis wished that this tree would grow and prosper, and that good relations would develop between Lithuania and Canada successfully.

The Minister stressed that today Lithuania and Canada shared common values – freedom and democracy. Both countries are NATO allies, aiming to strengthen bilateral and regional relations. The transatlantic relationship is still the backbone of security in Lithuania and Europe. It is symbolical that this year, when marking the 20th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations of Lithuania and Canada, the archives of a long-time Lithuanian Consul General to Canada Jonas Žmuidzinas are returned to Lithuania.

Canada is Lithuania’s important bilateral trade partner. According to A.Ažubalis, the potential of the Lithuanian-Canadian economic relations is increased by the fact that Lithuania is part of the dynamic Nordic-Baltic region.

At the ceremony of planting a Canadian maple tree, head of the Office of the Embassy of Canada in Vilnius Kevin Hamilton gave a welcome speech and presented a framed copy of the document on Canada’s historic decision to re-establish diplomatic relations with Lithuania to A.Ažubalis.

Until the declaration of independence, Canada pursued the non-recognition policy of the Soviet annexation of Lithuania. The Canadian-Lithuanian diplomatic relations were re-established on 2 September 1991.