Honourable President of Latvia,

Honourable Prime Minister,

Honourable members of the Saeima,

Ministers

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

My emotions regarding 4 May were recently inspired by a lady in Daugavpils. She reflected with true astonishment: „Just think of it – how often we forget the value of life in a free country! Our lips are no longer sealed, and we can speak up!”

Yes, indeed! We can speak up. We can criticise. We can express doubts, proofs, arguments, justifications, as well as seek and find the best path for our country to take.

Not without reason it is said that memories are deceptive because they are coloured by today’s events.

Similarly, our memories about life in an occupied state, about the prohibition to express one’s opinion, about hushed political conversations in our kitchens, about persecution and terror over time gradually become blurred in the light of current events.

But the politics of memory is an integral and indispensable part of politics in a democratic state. 

Latvia as a democratic state is based on certain fundamental values which are reflected in its symbols, such as 4 May. It is also reflected in explanations of our history and memories of our contemporaries. We can nurture our politics of memory and keep the ideals of renewed independence alive. They used to be and can once again become the forces which unite our people and drive our development.

Dear audience,|

Twenty-three years ago, in extremely complicated political circumstances, the Supreme Council adopted the Declaration on the Renewal of Independence and thus restored Latvia as an independent and democratic state. The distinguished poet Imants Ziedonis was among those members of the Supreme Council who voted in favour of the Declaration. Yesterday he would have celebrated his 80th birthday. 

Today, as we pay tribute to members of the Supreme Council and our poet, it is worthwhile to reminisce about a poem Ziedonis wrote in 1985: 

courageously withstand
courageously sow within oneself
an ability, a self-made opportunity
courageously keep
one’s face opposed,
not to recoil
opposed
not to cast down one’s eyes 

not to become afraid
when the air of everything
starts to swell and rub 
not to recoil

An independent and democratic Republic of Latvia has grown up since 1990. Many of our achievements seemed distant and unreal at the moment when the Declaration was signed. 

Our renewed independence, however, has been accompanied with new challenges and hardships. Therefore, today, no less than 23 years ago, it is crucial to withstand and not to recoil when everything starts to swell and rub. 

It means fulfilling duties and assuming responsibility for tasks which we politicians have undertaken, namely, to shape a flourishing, independent and European-minded Latvia – a united Latvia for everyone.

Today, when the world is changing rapidly, and the ground under our feet seems shaky, it is particularly important to remember that. 

At such moments it is crucial not to lose clear guiding principles and ultimate goals for our deeds. The founding fathers of our state were able to do that in 1918 and 1919, and members of the Supreme Council were able to do that on 4 May 1990. We must be able to do that too. 

Of course, each era has its own specific problems and challenges. Today, Latvia is dealing with unprecedented hardships which are also faced by all of Europe. However, clear awareness of our goals and belief in them is the lesson we can learn from 18 November and 4 May. Despite diversity of opinions and sometimes rather fierce discussions, consistency and belief in its ability enabled Latvia to overcome the severe financial crisis. 

We are ready to join the euro area next year. Latvia has regained its trustworthiness in Europe and worldwide.

However, many people do not feel it in their pockets. Many families that bore the strain of the global crisis upon their shoulders are still living on the brink of poverty; they don’t feel and don’t understand the country’s success story in their everyday lives. Social inequality persists. 

Growth of Latvia is the only possible solution. Therefore, I urge everyone to take an active part in the development of our country so that the positive signals that we receive from the macroeconomic data can be felt in every household and every family as soon as possible. 

I urge everyone to work together for our common goal and in justifying objective needs not to collide the needs of the elderly and new parents, the unemployed and students, emigrants and those who have stayed, employers and employees. That only fosters hostility and divides society; in the end, everyone is left fighting on their own and usually to no effect.

Our people who are struggling to make ends meet, who are out of work, who emigrate or live in poverty must not be left to struggle with their troubles on their own. On the contrary, unemployment and emigration are our common problems that threaten our common future development. 

Latvia is still losing people who move away; it is losing the energy, skills and knowledge of those who cannot find work here. These people are not merely statistical numbers; they must not be regarded as less important than macroeconomic considerations. They are real, living Latvians with beating hearts, and our country needs them very much. 

Will we succeed in laying a stable foundation for the well-being of the next generations so that they can lead wholesome lives in our country and be proud of it?

This is not an easy question to answer.

The modern world is open. If we want and know how to take advantage of this openness, we can gain a lot, but there is also a lot at stake if we do not. As politicians, we are responsible for creating the conditions necessary for long-term growth without losing sight of current social needs. 

Our state is each and every one of us, and that is why national development depends on our own growth. If people have work, access to health care, education, various social benefits and if they feel secure enough to have children and plan their family’s future, then they will use their best skills and opportunities to improve their standard of living. 

Then there will be children who are raised by parents confident about their families’ well-being and grandparents are provided for. Then Latvia will flourish.

The defining moment of our politicians’ professional ability will be the moment when Latvia’s success story is clearly reflected in the well-being of its people. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Unemployment, migration and lack of competitiveness are problems faced not only by Latvia but by Europe at large; thus, solutions must also be sought at the European level. 

The European Union is a common platform for discussing and solving common problems; it is not the centre of an empire that will do everything for us. 

And here I have to return to the issue of memory, which is being coloured or even painted over by day-to-day events. We – and here I mean all Europeans – often forget the circumstances under which the European Union was founded and the goals that it was meant to achieve. We tend to forget why Latvia chose the path to European integration. 

Just 23 years ago many parts of Europe, including Latvia, were ideological and geopolitical battlefields. Such words as freedom, democracy, the rule of law, Western values and European integration were familiar and important, but they lacked deeper meaning and substance. 

People fought for them. 
People were even ready to sacrifice their lives for them. 

I still have vivid memories of the demeaning enrolment procedure at the University of Latvia, which included questions such as “Do you have any relatives abroad?” and “Has anyone from your family been deported to Siberia?” And it went on for hours.

My generation had no opportunity to freely attend foreign universities or engage in student exchange programmes without being strictly monitored by stukachs and informers. 

However, now my children, just like other children in Latvia, do have these opportunities. We are all free people now. We are free to express ourselves, to criticise and to come up with our own ideas. 

Now that Europe is no longer divided physically or ideologically, and the memories of the horrors of the war have nearly faded, it is the right time for us to define the mission of our generation. We have to define our role in ensuring peaceful and prosperous lives for our children, grandchildren and the generations to come. 

Today, an invitation not to recoil is important not only for us but also for others. The European Union is also confronted by problems that we cannot afford to ignore if we want to build a common future. It is in Latvia’s interests to be a part of the European Union that stays true to its fundamental values – freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights.

In recent years Latvia has clearly demonstrated that we are a part of the common European identity, and it is important for us to retain this. 

Being a part of the Western world and Europe is not just a project steered by a particular political party or a coalition. It is the cornerstone of our statehood and identity. Therefore, I take very seriously the upcoming Latvia’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2015. 

I am convinced that Latvia is capable not only of technically fulfilling this duty but also successfully protecting its national interests and making Europe aware of our long-term objectives. This can be achieved through learning from the experience of our allies and compiling our best ideas. 

The results of Latvia’s presidency will not shape the image of our politicians; it will shape the image of Latvia.

Dear audience, 

Latvia’s political arena is going to be quite tense in the coming months. Keen interest in the upcoming local government elections is in the air, even at the Saeima.

Recently, when addressing the Congress of Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments, I compared the state to a mighty oak tree. Its trunk is the parliament, which protects the values and the rule of law embedded in the Constitution, while its crown of leaves represents the ministries and Latvian enterprises which contribute acorns to the budget.

Local governments, in turn, are the roots of this oak which are always in contact with the ground, which draw strength from the ground and provide stability.

I remind you of this parallel because I am deeply convinced that local governments are the ones closest to our people. Their work should not be underestimated, for it shows whether we are able to govern ourselves.

Every corner of Latvia and every individual in our country deserves attention and fair treatment. 

The homes even in the most remote areas are our homes. Our people living there want to be confident about their ability to pay the utility bills, to have a secure job, to raise and school their children, to commute on decent roads, and to watch television programmes in Latvian. They simply want to have the feeling of belonging. Those who have left our country hope to return home one day and to live their lives in their county and homeland – Latvia.

As the local government elections approach, political tensions tend to cloud the air, but they should by no means relieve us of responsibility for the results. This is why in political discussions and arguments we should remember the imperative of Ziedonis: not to recoil. This means we must never forget the very reason why we are in politics, namely, to protect the underlying values of our state and to strengthen the awareness that every individual matters and that change can take place only through common work.

And politicians alone cannot resolve all the problems we encounter. We may ask rhetorically – was it the politicians who did the poor road resurfacing? Did the politicians urge people to receive their salaries in envelopes? Did the government suggest elaborate tax-evasion schemes to cheat the state of millions of lats? As an answer to these questions I can only say that a solution to the problem is in hands of each of us. Hard work and honest attitude are the keys to changing everyone’s daily life for the better. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

For Latvia the 21st century is an era of globalisation and Europeanisation. It may sound paradoxical, but the role and significance of national identity are actually increasing. We have to be competitive in the international arena and demonstrate to our people that Latvia is the only place to live in and to start a family, that it is the best country whose development we should nurture.

Only by strengthening our national identity will we succeed in creating a strong state.

Therefore, we need to consistently promote patriotism and national consciousness in our people. True patriots are not made only in classrooms or by special projects. Our meaningful daily lives, cultivated traditions and public holidays facilitate the development of a strong Latvia and make it possible to put Latvia’s objectives above our personal ones.  

Unfortunately, quite a few people who live here permanently still do not associate themselves with Latvia as a democratic, national and European-minded country. They feel disoriented and alienated.  

Furthermore, this alienation is facilitated by groups that take advantage of important commemorative days to gain political publicity or provoke controversies.

There are no quick or simple solutions for that. Twenty-three years after signing the Declaration on the Renewal of Independence, integration of society has not lost its relevance. 

Moreover, it seems that these problems cannot be merely solved by amending legislation. The solution also lies in our emotional attitude, the way we communicate with each other, the way we listen to what people have to say, or how we accept our diversity. And that we in our diversity are united by Latvia, by the idealism of 18 November and by the clear demand of 4 May to regain our independence.    

It is important to accept and love Latvia as we see it today – our own, the only one, with all its imperfections, painful past experiences and the scars they have left.    

I think many would agree that the best way to pay tribute to the countless victims of totalitarian regimes is to build a flourishing Latvia that courageously and confidently looks to the future.

This idea was succinctly formulated by Jūlija Burdukēviča-Orlovska, a member of the 3rd Youth Parliament, who said: “In commemorating the tragic fate of many Latvians, we have to understand that the victims would have desired their cruel fate to give strength and fortitude to next generations.”

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, on the 4 May, while addressing the parliament, I am not alone here on the rostrum. Alongside with me in their thoughts there are students of Alsviķi Vocational School who are thinking about Latvia. They are students with disabilities who are learning a trade, who love Latvia and who want to be actively and fully engaged in society.    

They gave me this maroon-white-maroon rose as a present wishing me to have it with me on 4 May. I kept my promise. This rose reminds me of warm hearts, positive thoughts, Latvia and high ideals that each of us should pursue.It reminds that if everyone finds the strength to lift one’s head, not to recoil, and to get involved, we will move closer to a Latvia where there are no outcast people, where everyone can live in safety, stability and prosperity.  

Many years ago our first Song Festival proved that everyone, all of us together and each of us individually, will benefit from finding inner strength to put aside our daily quarrels for the sake of higher aims.

High goals and togetherness have enormous power which is no less important than economic influence or political power. Establishing Latvia’s statehood in 1918 and adopting the Declaration on the Renewal of Independence on 4 May 1990 manifested this power on a higher, political level. 

A state is not made once and for all, we make it every day. We have inherited Latvia from our predecessors, and it is our own responsibility to pass it on to our children and grandchildren as a developed, strong and flourishing country. 

God bless Latvia!