“February 16 testifies to how important is the spirit of freedom and the idea of independence that unites us. The creators of the First Republic of Lithuania left us these precepts like a testament, they obliged us to defend the Motherland, to focus on common and difficult work for Lithuania”, said Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė in her congratulation.
She urged us not to forget that the won freedom is not a gift and to remember how high its price is.
“Each generation goes through its own struggle for freedom and must overcome unique challenges. The Kremlin’s renewed brutal invasion of Ukraine two years ago clearly showed that in today’s world there are still very aggressive attempts to attack freedom, democracy, and trample on human rights. There is no doubt that today Ukrainians are bravely fighting not only for their homeland, but also for the entire free world and its future. By extending a helping hand to Ukraine, we are also strengthening the foundations of our freedom, fighting for our future, for the fact that Lithuania will never become ruins and a labyrinth of trenches”. – said the Prime Minister.
“The thickening clouds of the threat of war must not frighten us, on the contrary, we must be united, strong and ready to fight back,” she emphasized.
In his greeting, President Gitanas Nausėda noted that on February 16, Lithuanians celebrate their country, and he urged them to continue taking care of it.
“On a day like this, we know that there are no insurmountable obstacles or unattainable goals for us. Let this knowledge encourage us every time it is difficult or we are plagued by uncertainty about the future”, said G. Nausėda.
“Let’s continue to take care of our legacy so that we can walk through the world with dignity and freedom. Let’s help those who need our help. Together, let’s create a state that we would like to be proud of now and forever,” said the president.
In her turn, the Speaker of the Seimas, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, said in her congratulation that the Act of February 16 is not only about the past, it works in the present and shapes the future.
“The essence of the Act of February 16 is the recovery of subjectivity, the right to decide independently, to choose friends and allies by yourself. It was relevant in 1918, it is no less relevant in 2024,” said the Speaker of the Seimas.
“The essence of the war against Ukraine is a brutal attempt to take away subjectivity, the right to choose direction and partners. By destroying and killing, the aggressor almost openly declares that he will move on. This is ominous news. We have to hear it, evaluate it adequately and be maximally prepared”, added V. Čmilytė-Nielsen.
She emphasized that Europe has decided to take serious deterrence, including by strengthening military capabilities.
“This is a sign that Europe is losing its vague illusions and regaining its subjectivity. This is hopeful news on the occasion of February 16, the day of our state subjectivity”, said V. Čmilytė-Nielsen.
On Friday, Lithuania celebrates the Day of State Restoration.
On February 16, 1918, the Council of Lithuania in Vilnius announced the restoration of an independent, democratically organized state of Lithuania with its capital in Vilnius.
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2024-05-12 06:15:22