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Thirty years ago, the wide support of the Swedish people for the freedom and restoration of independence of the Baltic States was invaluable. In the early 1990s, activists in the so-called Monday meetings gave a weekly reminder to the Swedish public and politicians about the independence efforts of the neighbouring countries. The solidarity of the Swedish people is still important to us, emphasised Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, on Thursday, 16 September, while on a visit to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, to take part in the events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the restoration of the Baltic States' independence and the re-establishment of their diplomatic relations with Sweden.
The Baltic road to freedom was a non-violent path of parliamentary democracy. Our experience may now help the neighbouring countries to the east of the EU in the process of democratic transformation, said Mūrniece.
The Speaker of the Saeima thanked the Swedish diplomats of that time who used their knowledge and skills to help the Baltic nations. The first Western diplomat to work in Latvia came from Sweden—Lars Freden started working here in 1990, even before the de facto recognition of our country's independence.
Mūrniece underscored that today freedom and independence are in our own hands and it is up to us to protect them. Democratic values link the Baltic States and Sweden and we must stand up for them. Our strength lies in effective multilateral cooperation and a rules–based international order. Thirty years after regaining independence, the Baltic States are closely integrated in international structures, which is also attested by the successful Nordic and Baltic cooperation in the NB8 format, noted the Speaker of the Saeima.
The attendees were also addressed by Velta Čebotarenoka, President of the Latvian 4 May Declaration Club, representing the Members of the Supreme Council who restored the independent State of Latvia 30 years ago. She thanked the people of Sweden for their support during the difficult path to regaining independence: "I still remember how we waited for our country to be recognised and accepted by the world. Thank you for being our like-minded friends and supporters who have always been close around."
Today, delegations of the Baltic parliaments took part in a Baltic seminar organised by the Swedish Parliament (Riksdag), as well as in a reenactment of the Monday meetings in the Norrmalmstorg Square. In the early 1990s, Swedish civil society gathered in this square every Monday to show support for the Baltic States' independence aspirations. From March 1990 to September 1991, a total of 79 meetings were held in Norrmalmstorg. The Monday meetings inspired the Swedish public to launch a broad support movement in several other cities.
A delegation led by Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, together with her Estonian and Lithuanian counterparts, is currently in Sweden to participate in the events marking the 30th anniversary of the restoration of the Baltic States' independence and diplomatic relations with Sweden, as well as to meet Swedish officials.
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Saeima Press Service