Dinner Speech to Lithuanias' Prime Minister Laurynas Stankevicius

Prime Minister,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen

Five years ago - television brought live to a whole world the courage of the Lithuanian people's struggle for independence. The final stage of that struggle are engraved deep into the memory of the Norwegian people.

Here was a neighbouring country - unarmed, under foreign rule for decades - standing tall to outside pressure. Here, on Sunday the 13th of January 1991, was the people of the "singing revolution" who by their determination and endurance resisted even military force.

Prime Minister, I am grateful for the kind words you have just extended to my country and to me personally. It is a great pleasure for me to make this first official visit to this part of Europe to the free, independent and democratic Lithuania.

For decades - a dividing line ran through the Baltic Sea. Here was the division of Europe. For decades - the Cold War kept you down and our countries separated.

Ours was a policy of non-recognition. Through the dark decades your people kept alive the birthrights of independent statehood. You resisted the powerful efforts to water out a deeply rooted national identity. When the window of opportunity opened - you were there to grasp the occasion.

The regained independence of Lithuania was won by the Lithuanians themselves. On behalf of the Norwegian people I wish to pay tribute to all those who fought that battle - to all those who suffered losses - to all those who emerged ready to build democracy and the rule of law. Northern Europe, the Baltic community and the Nordic region could never be complete before your independence was won. You made it happen. Now we can build a new future together.

Prime Minister - relations between Norway and Lithuania date back to the 9th century. Norwegian Vikings plowed the seas and reached the Baltic waters. During centuries trade developed and even flourished.

Norway and Lithuania did not attain independence until the early 20th century. Then the drama of European history took our nations on very different paths. Decades of separation prevented us from building relations. Today, we can dedicate ourselves to fulfilling the promise of liberation cut short 50 years ago.

When gates opened up - the real driving force in our bilateral relationship was people. Norwegians immediately identified with the people of the "singing revolution". What we experienced was a grassroot awakening. Schools, voluntary organizations, sports associations, all over Norway, a wave of sympathy emerged. And waves of Norwegians came here to explore how we could cooperate. There were scores of voluntary ambassadors. Towns and municipalities established direct cooperation. People met and built relations.

Norwegian companies discover Lithuania as a market for trade and investment. The businessmen in my delegation represent companies either already involved here in Lithuania or eager to explore new possibilities. Tomorrow they meet and talk with Lithuanian businessmen at a seminar co-hosted by the Norwegian Trade Council and the Lithuanian Investment Agency.

Last July my Nordic colleagues and I came to Vilnius to attend a historic meeting - the first Nordic Baltic summit in a Baltic capital. 5 plus 3 - the five Nordics and the three Baltics. Our agenda was one of network building: European integration, environment, business opportunities, cultural cooperation and people to people initiatives. In May we meet in Visby to address the same issues in an even broader Baltic framework, including Germany, Poland and democratic Russia.

The Nordic-Baltic cooperation is an example of how regional cooperation can serve us in a new and open Europe. Decades of cooperation in the Nordic Council have helped spur the many links between the Nordic countries. Regional cooperation serves as a multiplier of opportunities and benefits. Today, we are sharing this experience with you. The Nordic countries have joint information offices in every Baltic capital. Our ministers meet. Our parliamentarians come together. Gradually, we fill the gaps left open by years of separation.

Norway welcomes Lithuania's integration into the western economic, political and security institutions. We welcome Lithuania as a European partner. We meet in the Council of Europe. We have concluded free trade agreements and extended cooperation between Lithuania and EFTA. We meet for cooperation, training and joint exercises under the auspices of Partnership for Peace. We are training our soldiers together for UN peacekeeping within the framework of BALTBAT. In former Yugoslavia our soldiers are together on a mission of peace.

Look how Europe has changed! Lithuania is entering the European family of democracy and the rule of law. In this process, no doors should be locked. No outside power should ever again cast a veto over your future.

The road forward is not easy. Reforms bring results - but not without strains. Nobody knows better than you, Prime Minister, how painful the unavoidable transition can be for society's poor, feeble and old. As a Minister of Social Security, you had to deal with the consequences of transition. But you are on the right track, providing new opportunities for new generations of Lithuanians.

There are many challenges ahead. Reforms must be further implemented and consolidated. Laws must be respected and crime must be fought. Social and economic progress will come by the efforts of Lithuanians themselves. But you can count on a broad support. Lithuania has many friends in my country, in the West, and across the Atlantic. That alone is important. We offer cooperation and assistance. We are here today to emphasize that we will do precisely that.

Europe towards the 21st century is a continent of interdependence. We share challenges, opportunities and concerns. Today, all of Lithuania's neighbours have opted for democracy. As members of the Council of Europe they all adhere to the key democratic values of European civilization. Five years after January 1991, normal inter-state relations are taking hold on the southern shores of the Baltic Sea. We all share the responsibility of safeguarding these achievements.

I propose a toast to you Prime Minister Stankevicius, to the people of Lithuania and the prosperous future of Lithuania. To LIETUVO.