Strength of the Baltic countries lies in their unity and mutual support - Rinkevics

RIGA - The strength of the Baltic countries lies in their unity and mutual support, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said during a meeting with Estonian President Alar Karis and local residents at the Latvian-Estonian border crossing Ungurini-Lilli 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 Lithuania's Pasvalys. After the event, there will be a bilateral meeting of the presidents and a joint press conference.

Rinkevics said that he was honored to commemorate the human chain spanning more than 600 kilometers to connect Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. The joint demonstration of the three nations, the brainchild of the Popular Front of Estonia, was a unique and still unparalleled action in world history.

"Nearly 2 million Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians joined their hands to resist the Soviet occupation. We reminded the world of the freedom taken from the Baltic countries and the crimes committed by the totalitarian regime. By demonstrating their unity, our nations expressed their readiness to fight for democracy and restoration of their independence," said Rinkevics.

Today it is important to remind the world of the aspirations of that time, as well as of the principles of freedom, human rights and democracy, said Rinkevics. This is particularly important because Ukraine is now fighting for its right to exist, for the same values that the people of the Baltic countries stood for 35 years ago when they regained their independence, and which they still stand for today.

"Our nations stand together with Ukraine in its struggle against aggressor Russia. We pledge to continue to support our Ukrainian friends and brothers until their victory. The unity of the three Baltic nations and their deep belief in freedom was an important driving force not only for the restoration of the sovereignty of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, but also for dismantling communism in Europe," said Rinkevics.

For many people, the Baltic Way is a deeply moving and personal event, for many others it is history in newsreels or photographs. It is important that the memories of the Baltic people's common path to freedom be preserved and passed on to future generations, stressed Rinkevics.

"August 23 is a day to remind ourselves and the world of the strength of unity and determination of people in their struggle for independence and freedom. The strength of the Baltic countries lies in unity and mutual support. Let us preserve it forever," said Rinkevics.