President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga has received a letter from the Prime Minister of the Sweden Göran Persson regarding the letter and declaration (regarding May 9,2005) that Vaira Vike-Freiberga had sent to the Prime Minister earlier in January. In his letter G.Persson writes:
"This year marks the 60th anniversary of the defeat of Nazism and the end of the Second World War. This is a reason for commemoration and reflection in Europe. For many, the anniversary brings mixed emotions. For Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania it not only marks the definite victory over Nazi Germany but also the beginning of the period of Soviet occupation and totalitarian rule.
Considering these historical facts it is understandable that the ceremony in Moscow on 9 May commemorating the 60th anniversary of the end of Second World war in Europe is an issue of high sensitivity in Latvia. I understand that the choice you have made to attend the ceremony in Moscow was not an easy one, and I respect your decision.
I share the view that it is important that the commemoration of the victory over Nazism does not make us lose sight of the crimes against humanity committed by the totalitarian Soviet Union.
In recent decades political developments have led us to the historic reunification of Europe. The enlargement of the European Union ended the unnatural division of Europe. Latvia and the other new Member States from Central and Eastern Europe regained their rightful place in the European family.
I look forward to continuing our close relationship as neighbours, as partners in Nordic-Baltic cooperation and as fellow members of the European Union. I hope that we can strive together within the European Union to further develop our cooperation with Russia and our other neighbours in the region."