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His Excellency the President of the French Republic, Mrs. Macron, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome! I am very pleased to welcome our dear friends from France to the restored Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.
This celebration of bilateral relations is commemorated in the spaces described for the first time by the ambassador of the Duke of Burgundy, Guillebert de Lannoy, who visited here already at the beginning of the 15th century. Later, the first botanical garden of Vilnius University was created by Jean-Emmanuel Gilibert nearby, and many professors from France spread the light of science here.
All of this shows that for us Lithuanians, France has long been a source of knowledge and inspiration. We have always admired the French spirit of freedom. The events and ideas of the French Revolution set in motion bold reforms in the common state of Lithuania and Poland. On May 3, 1791 we approved the first written Constitution in Europe!
When we later defended our ideals of freedom in repeated uprisings against Russian Tsarism, many of the losing rebels found refuge in hospitable France, not elsewhere. The continuity of traditions is also demonstrated by the fact that the life path of the renowned “President of the Fighting Lithuania”, the post-war partisan leader Jonas Žemaitis-Vytautas, led him to the artillery school in Fontainebleau for a short period . (It’s no secret that France is famous for its high-performance artillery!)
We remember very well that even during the Soviet occupation, the voice of independent Lithuania was heard in France. We are grateful that your country has never recognized the annexation of Lithuania and has preserved and, in due course, returned Lithuanian interwar gold.
When French President François Mitterrand arrived in Lithuania in 1992, it was generally one of the first visits by foreign heads of state to a country that had regained its independence. Then he said: “The day will come, it is better before, when all the conditions are right, and you will be full partners of the countries to which France belongs.” Member of the European Union and NATO!
I am very happy that together we can build a stronger Europe based on democratic values, respect for human rights and a shared vision for the future. Today, Lithuanian citizens want a united, strong, green and innovative Europe. A Europe that can respond quickly to all your challenges and become a world leader in knowledge and innovation.
Lithuania, together with France, supports and strengthens transatlantic security. There are currently 300 French soldiers serving in our country. French pilots regularly participate in the NATO air police mission. Together, we are ready to strengthen European security in the fight against hybrid threats, cyber threats, disinformation and third-party intervention.
Of course, the European project will never be strong without strong human ties between our nations. Even in 20th century history, there is no shortage of impressive personalities linking the two states. The poet Oskaras Milašius, who wrote in French, and Romainas Gary, a two-time winner of the Goncura Prize, Emmanuel Levin, a world-famous thinker of Lithuanian Jewish origin, and Algirdas Julius Greimas, the founder of the Paris School of Semiotics, had strong ties with Lithuania.
We still remember the visit of the famous French thinkers Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir to Lithuania in 1965. For future generations, Sartre’s photograph as a man with his hands behind his back fighting against the wind and sand is one of the most famous works of Lithuanian photography and, at the same time, a great metaphor for all the philosopher’s work.
Let me stop for a moment on this fascinating image. After all, man’s efforts to resist and control the opposition are one of the most important forces in the creation of history. Today, as we see more and more uncertainty and anxiety about the future in the world, we can feel as if we are walking against a strong wind. Points of support are needed to prevent the growing storm from taking us alone.
I am convinced that the development of joint cultural projects, intense business ties, the strengthening of urban kinship, even the exchange of athletes will become the basis for a more sincere friendship between our countries!
We have many reasons to trust each other, work together, and support each other. Let our long history inspire Lithuania and France to achieve new achievements!
Long live Lithuania! Long live France! Long live Europe!
For your health, Mr. President, Mrs. Macron!
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