Ekselences,
Cienījamās dāmas un godātie kungi!
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Labvakar, Good evening, Bonsoir, Goedenavond, Guten Abend !
I am deeply honored and utterly delighted to welcome all of you tonight in this magnificent Abbey Notre-Dame de la Cambre, in the very heart of the Capital of Belgium, Brussels.
May I warmly thank Mr. Jean t`Kint de Roodenbeke, and Madam Veronique d`Antras , for opening Abbey`s doors and halls for divine choral music and diplomacy!
It was 104 years ago when independent and sovereign Republic of Latvia was proclaimed. It was done on November 18, 1918, by visionary Latvian politicians in the building of the National Theatre of Latvia.
Only a week had passed since the Allied Powers had signed a ceasefire agreement with Germany at Compiegne. The War was over and it was a moment for a birth of a New Europe. Europe that embraces the value of the national self-determination.
The end of the Russian colonial era in the Baltics gave our people a chance to proclaim the independent Republic of Latvia, a democratic Republic whose Constitution of 1922 is based on the same principles and values as was the Constitution of the Weimar Republic. And whose cultural and value DNA carries a rich heritage of our ancestors - Latvian, Teutonic and German, Polish, Swedish and Russian.
The idea about Latvia National Day`s concert in Belgium was ripe already for some time. Last year we celebrated a Centenary of diplomatic relations that exist between our two countries.
Belgium was among the very first states that recognized Latvia`s sovereignty.
Ladies and Gentlemen, please accept tonight’s concert as Latvia`s gratitude to Belgium, to its people and to that time Belgian Government of the Prime Minister Henri Carton de Wiart.
In the century that followed, my country had it all. Impressive recovery after the First World War. Occupations and the loss of sovereignty for a half a century. Political rebirth in 1991 and reintegration with where we came from - Europe.
Today, Latvia and Belgium, together with other 25 European states of the European Union, are engaged in making our common European home better. The EU is one of the pillars of Latvia`s wellbeing and security. As once was said by a friend of Latvia from Denmark, Uffe Elleman-Jensen, whom I had a privilege to know and work with, the EU was not created to sell more sausages. It was created to make Europe a place of peace. That is why Latvia has a strong interest to see Europe united, a Europe that strives for its values and protects its interests.
European values and interests are critical today, when there is war in Ukraine caused by a blunt and criminal aggression by Russia. Ukraine is fighting for her freedom and for our common European values. That`s why since the very first day of this brutal war Latvia has been supporting Ukraine. And this support will stay there as long it is necessary.
Ladies and gentlemen,
When I am asked, how does Latvia feel today when Europe has entered stormier and more rough waters, my answer is – Latvia is doing good.
We are doing so because since regaining independence the country has changed, and so have her people.
And today, when a part of our outer border has become a new division line between democratic and authoritarian political systems, we feel safe, because this time Latvia belongs to the part of Europe whose values lay the foundation of the Republic of Latvia proclaimed in 1918.
We are doing good because Latvia has many genuine European, transatlantic, NATO and international friends who are ready to shoulder us, and whom Latvia is ready to shoulder. We are not alone. So, we are doing good.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Although important,the role of a diplomat is not only to act as a bridge between states and their people. The main task of a diplomat is to spot and interpret opportunities that exist for better relations among the nations. The current geopolitical turbulence presents an opportunity as well. Transition to green sustainable energy in Europe comes with a great chance to reengage the regions of the North and the Baltic Seas, as in the old days, when these seas were seen as one water route used by the Hanseatic merchants and cities.
As in the old days, Baltic timber, honey and grain, and the Flemish and Brabantian cloth and herring, - smart ports, the green energy and products and services of the technological innovation are bloodlines for a new version of the Hansa of 21st Century.
Strong Europe is Europe of properly interconnected regions. And the future for the Latvian-Belgian co-operation is bright. Only one thing, dear Belgians, please bring back your embassies to the Baltic Capitals.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Tonight, we shall enjoy a concert of one of the very, very best professional choirs in Europe. The State Choir LATVIA was founded in 1942. It has collaborated with world-class orchestras as Royal Concertgebouw, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra. It has performed at the Lincoln Center in New York.
I would like to thank its Artistic Director and the Principal Conductor Maestro Māris Sirmais and the Executive Director Mr.Māris Ošlejs for this wonderful opportunity tonight.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to supporters of tonight’s concert without whom it would not be possible.
I`d like very warmly thank Mr. Egils Gulbis Foundation, foundation that has close ties in both Latvia and Belgium.
My deep gratitude goes as well to world famous Belgian construction company BESIX, for supporting the event tonight.
And finally, but most cordially, I`d like to thank the wonderful and very hard-working staff of the Embassy of Latvia. Friends, you have done a wonderful job for tonight!
Ladies and gentlemen!
My speech would not be complete without mentioning a person who was a very important part in organizing this concert. Former Minister of Culture of Latvia, current European parliamentarian Mrs.Dace Melbārde. Dear Mrs. Melbārde, thank you for your energy, partnership and contribution. It would be very appropriate for you to say a few words tonight as well.