Your Excellency, Mr President,
Honourable Madam Nausediene,
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
Bičiuliai!
Seserys ir broliai!
I am deeply delighted to be here with you tonight, in Vilnius. The city where the streets are bursting with heroic tales. About the Lithuanian King Mindaugas. About Gediminas, the founder of Vilnius. About Vytautas who won the Battle of Žalgiris. Thank you, Mr President, and you, First Lady, for the invitation and heartwarming hospitality.
In 2026, we mark 35 years since re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Latvia and Lithuania. But the shared story of Latvia and Lithuania dates back way longer. It is a tale of two Baltic nations. Nations as close as brothers.
Our languages are like old relatives. Sometimes we understand every word. Sometimes just smile and nod. And, yes – sometimes we even start arguing whether we actually mean elk or deer. That’s why we have both decided to just call them “antlery gifted” and move on.
That is why Lithuanian School in Riga is so important in fostering understanding along our common path. The school celebrated its 35th birthday this year. Thank you, Madam Nausediene, for gracing the school’s anniversary with your presence. It made the celebration even more heartwarming and special.
As good brothers or broliukai do, we stand up for each other whenever possible. We stand together through thick and thin.
Together we are stronger. Even when we need to agree on who is right. Now, let me use this opportunity to put an end to the main topic of contention in the region: aukstā zupa or šaltibarščiai? We know who is right from the first spoon, don’t we? But the diplomacy teaches us that not all truths need to be told aloud. That’s why I will keep quiet tonight.
Excellencies,
History has created an unbreakable bond between Latvians and Lithuanians. A bond based on bloodline. The bond between ancient Baltic tribes. Tribes that centuries later became Latvians and Lithuanians. Latvija un Lietuva.
Every year, on Baltic Unity Day, we commemorate the Battle of Saule we fought together. 790 years to date. But it is the 1918 that will forever be in our hearts. Together we have also fought for restoration of our national independence. It is our greatest treasure we must protect every day.
History has taught us a simple truth. Side-by-side we can win the biggest battles. Our freedom is not just our past legacy. It is our daily responsibility and joint mission. It is also why we care about the fate of Ukraine so much today. That is why we both support Ukraine in all possible ways, wherever we can.
Together we make the European Union and NATO external border safe. Together we desynchronised from Russian and Belarusian power grid. Together we make Baltic region more competitive and innovative as a whole.
I was very excited to visit the Latvian-Lithuanian Business Forum. Lithuania is the most significant trade partner for Latvia. There is, however, room for improvement as we vividly saw in the case of the Baltic Pavillion at the EXPO 2025 in Osaka where Latvia collaborated with Lithuania.
I am also grateful for the opportunity to visit one of the oldest universities in Europe. During my visit to Vilnius University, I received yet another confirmation of the unbreakable bond between our countries throughout the centuries. I am looking forward to tomorrow’s visit to Klaipeda University with great excitement. I will make this symbolic path from the core of Lithuania’s academic life to your birth city. I am confident that further exchange of knowledge, cooperation and mutual trust will bring our countries ever closer, strengthening the whole Baltic region.
Ladies and gentlemen,
But, now let’s have a real talk. About basketball. Admittedly, Lithuania has done a lot better on the basketball court. Your male team won the bronze at the Olympics, World Cup, and you have won several European Championships. To what I can proudly remind you that Latvians made it into European basketball history books first. By winning the 1935 European Championships, our players became the first ever European Champions.
There is even a charmingly funny episode in our on-court rivalry. In 1939, during the European Championship game between Latvia and Lithuania, fans were so loud that the announcer even threatened penalties or points awarded to the other team for being too loud.
Although basketball clashes between Latvia and Lithuania have not lost their traditional spark, such incidents are a thing of the past. Referees know that there are no penalties to deter a real fan from supporting their team. But what is more crucial, outside the court we always play on the same team. And just like on court, we fight for every inch of our ground.
Your Excellency, Mr President, First Lady,
I am really happy to continue along my visit to your birth city Klaipeda.
But tonight we celebrate friendship. Our personal friendship, too. Celebrate our broliai. And, believe me, there can be no better brother than you.
I would like to raise this glass to you, Mr President and First Lady. To your health. To Lithuanian people. To friendship between Latvia and Lithuania.
Tegyvuoja Lietuva! Tegyvuoja Latvija!
Į sveikãtą!
