Baltic presidents to mark 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way

RIGA - The Baltic presidents will this week mark the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way, as Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics' advisor Martins Dregeris informed LETA.

On Friday, August 23 Rinkevics will meet with Estonian President Alar Karis at the Ungurini-Lilli border crossing point on the Latvia-Estonia border to mark the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way. In the afternoon, Rinkevics and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda will attend a ceremony dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way in Pasvalys, Lithuania.

Rinkevics says that 35 years ago 2 million Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians joined hands to oppose the Soviet occupation regime. A human chain spanning more than 600 kilometers connected Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. Standing united against injustice, oppression and violence, Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians began their shared journey to restoring independence.

"The Baltic Way was the beginning of our return to the democratic world. The Baltic Way demonstrated that our power lies within our unity and our desire for freedom. The cohesion of the people of the three Baltic States and their deep-seated faith in freedom was an important driving force not only in the restoration of the sovereignty of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, but also the destruction of communist regimes in Europe," said Rinkevics.

For many, the Baltic Way was a deeply personal and emotional event - an experience that stays with one forever, Rinkevics pointed out. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain the memories and feelings surrounding the shared road to freedom of the Baltics and pass it on to the next generations. August 23 is a day to remind ourselves and the world about the power of national unity and determination in the fight for independence and freedom, said Rinkevics.

The presidents of Latvia and Estonia will meet at the Ungurnņi-Lilli border crossing point on the Latvia-Estonia border where a monument to the Baltic Way has been erected. The presidents will give addresses, followed by informal discussions.

In the afternoon, Rinkevics will meet with the Lithuanian president in Pasvalys, Lithuania, and a joint press conference will be held after the meeting.

The Baltic Way was the most vivid demonstration of the unity of the Baltic peoples in fighting for the restoration of the statehood of the Baltic States 35 years ago, said Dregeris. Approximately 2 million people joined hands to draw international attention to the illegal incorporation of the Baltic States into the USSR and violations of international law.