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Ambassador,

Members of the Lithuanian-Irish community,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be here today and to represent the Government on this important occasion.

On 27th August, 1991, Ireland recognised the re-establishment of Lithuanian independence and Lithuania’s re-integration into the world community of nations.  On 2 September 1991, our two countries formally established diplomatic relations.  Lithuania’s declaration of its independence from the Soviet Union in March 1990 and the courage shown by Lithuania at that time, when the country was still part of the Soviet Union and the future was still far from certain, continues to command our respect. 

Tonight we celebrate 20 years of fruitful diplomatic relations, during which period Ireland and Lithuania have become closer, as we have worked together, bilaterally and in different international fora.

Ireland and Lithuania, though far apart, have much in common.  Both are small countries roughly similar in size and population and both Ireland and Lithuania know too well the pain of emigration, the sorrow associated with the loss of our compatriots, often the youngest and the brightest.  You who are here today from the Lithuanian community understand that we should not see emigration in a negative light alone.  We know from our own experience that emigrants enrich the societies in which they settle.  Ireland and Lithuania both have large diasporas, spread around the world.  In these we see family and friends, now, settled afresh on other shores, who nevertheless remain close in the hearts of those who stayed behind.  They bring with them a deep love of their native land; they share their songs, their dance, their tongue and turns of phrase.  We are proud of our diaspora, just as Lithuania is proud of you. It is not an easy thing to do what you have done.

You are welcome to make your futures here, but if, in time, you decide to return to Lithuania, you should know that your experiences abroad will stand to you and – as you have enriched Ireland during your time here – so too will you enrich Lithuania on your return.

Ireland and Lithuania are both members of the European Union.  It remains a source of great pride to us that Ireland, holding the Presidency of the European Council at the time, had the honour on 1st May 2004 – in a moving ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin – of welcoming Lithuania and the other nine new member States into the EU. 

Lithuania was returning to its European roots and since that time Lithuania has become a solid and valued member of the EU, with whom we share common interests and ambitions.  Our two countries are physically on the periphery of the Union, which presents its own series of challenges and opportunities for cooperation.  But membership of the EU has been beneficial to us both, and we share certain priorities, such as agriculture.  Primarily through membership of the EU, we have come to have a substantial Lithuanian-Irish community.  Lithuanians are contributing in all areas of life in Ireland and are further strengthening the warm and close links that already exist between our two countries.

Cooperation at other levels between our two states has also greatly intensified in recent years.  Lithuania currently holds the Chair of the OSCE, and will hand this to Ireland in January 2012.  Ireland and Lithuania will also hold the Presidency of the European Union for six months each during 2013.  Cooperation between our states in both the OSCE and EU has not just deepened our bilateral relations but also gives us both an opportunity to work together to create a better Europe for all.  This engagement, evidenced most recently by the meeting in Vilnius of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore T.D. and Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Azuablis will intensify over the coming year, and we look forward to working closely with our Lithuanian partners particularly during our EU Presidencies in 2013. 

Before I conclude, let me focus on some of the issues that differentiate us.  While Irish eyes are currently focussed on the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, Lithuanians have been closely following their basketball team at the Eurobasket 2011 Championship.  Despite last night’s disappointment in the quarter finals, may I congratulate Lithuania on its outstanding performance in the Championship – not only as players but also as hosts.  Lithuania can be justifiably proud of its national team. 

I would like to thank Ambassador Purlys for his kind words these evening and on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our states, I look forward to many years of continued close cooperation and friendship.