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On 13 June, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius laid flowers outside the building of the Embassy of the United States of America and thus paid tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack in Orlando.

“Lithuania stands in solidarity with the people of the United States in this hour of sorrow and reiterates its commitment to work together with the United States of America and the free world to combat terrorism, whatever form it might take,” said Linkevičius in a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania Deborah A. McCarthy.

The U.S. Ambassador thanked Lithuania’s Foreign Minister and the people of Lithuania for a show of solidarity and support through a rough time.

According to Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, this inhumane attack on Orlando’s LGBT community has proved once again that our determination to protect all human rights and freedoms must be unshakable.

“It is a simple, but powerful truth that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, as enshrined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Members of the LGBT community are our fellow-citizens, who are equally entitled to human rights. They all are someone else’s sons, daughters, brothers and sisters, and that someone is one of us. Ahead of the Baltic Pride March for Equality that will take place on Saturday, I wish to reiterate our firm commitment to protect human rights of all citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, fighting against discrimination and building a tolerant, democratic and respectful society in which all people can live freely and creatively beyond fear,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister.

Linkevičius also noted that the March for Equality was an event, which was dedicated not just for the LGBT community. “The event is actually of much broader symbolic, universal significance. First of all, the march is in support of a more tolerant, more democratic society without hatred and violence,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister.

On the same day, the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy sent a condolence letter to the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and to all the people of the United States.

“It was with great shock that I and the people of Lithuania learned of the horrific attack in Orlando, Florida. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims and to all the people of the United States. The United States of America embodies the values of openness and tolerance, of human rights and liberties, regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation, and serves as an inspiration to many of us. No act of terror or hate can break this spirit of American life,” reads the Minister’s letter.