Mairead McGUINNESS, Vice President of the European Parliament, Andrus ANSIP, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Digital Single Market, Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Vice-President of the EC in charge of the Euro and Social Dialogue and Vytenis ANDRIUKAITIS, Member of the EC in charge of Health and Food Safety deliver the opening speeches at the event "Baltic States' call for freedom heard: 35 years since the first Resolution of the European Parliament supporting independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania” in the EP Library Hall, Brussels.

Brussels

EU - Estonia (T)

EU - Lithuania (T)

McGUINNESS, Mairead (EPP, IE)

ANDRIUKAITIS, Vytenis (LT, EC)

ANSIP, Andrus (Renew, EE)

opening ceremony

DOMBROVSKIS, Valdis (EPP, LV, EC)

EU - Latvia (T)

“Baltic States' call for freedom; 35 years since the first Resolution of the European Parliament supporting independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania": extracts from the speeches

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/18345944/I149103Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

Family photo including Mc Guinness, (EP Vice-President), the 3 Commissioners, 2 signatory members of the Baltic Appeal, Mr Ints CALITIS, and Mr Julius SASNAUSKAS and the members of the panel discussion, (2 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Mairead MCGUINNESS, The date the 13 January 1983 and in three days&rsquo; time will be marking the 35th anniversary of the work of the European Parliament, its resolution on the situation in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. And on that date 1983, the Parliament expressed its support for the Baltic people&rsquo;s pursuit for self-determination and independence.

SOUNDBITE (English), Mairead MCGUINNESS (EPP, IE), The Baltic States were occupied by the Soviet Union during the Second World War. Most European States, but also the USA, Canada and the Vatican, never formally recognised this occupation. This is one of the reasons why in 1983 almost 90% of Members of the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of the resolution.

SOUNDBITE (English), Mairead MCGUINNESS (EPP, IE), It is also thanks to your commitment that we could witness the fall of the Iron Curtain and finally celebrate the restoration of the independence of the Baltic States at the beginning of the 1990s. I want to personally thank you for your heroic action. I salute your courage and your bravery and I am so glad that you are here with us this evening. This is the right time to remember the significant role played by the European Parliament 35 years ago. A show of solidarity expressed with the desire to shape European history together.

SOUNDBITE (English), Andrus ANSIP, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Digital Single Market, The European Parliament&rsquo;s resolution 35 years ago supporting the Baltic Appeal and the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania was a courageous step. It was the only international body to react to that desperate message from the Baltic freedom fighters.

SOUNDBITE (English), Andrus ANSIP, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Digital Single Market, We must always remember the basic values about self-determination and democracy. We need to continue to react when they are under attack like now in Crimea and East Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Vice-President of the EC in charge of the Euro and Social Dialogue, By making the demand for independence of Baltic States heard the signatories choose sides on this kind of power and eventually prevail. And term of the resolution of support the EP showed on what side it is on this debate and provided much needed support for people in the Baltic States.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Vice-President of the EC in charge of the Euro and Social Dialogue, The idea of open and free democratic societies is again under pressure in Ukraine it is under threat constantly. The EU can still make a difference by speaking out, by concrete support.

SOUNDBITE (English), Vytenis ANDRIUKAITIS, Member of the EC in charge of Health and Food Safety, Please bear in mind that the signatories of the document took the risk to lose everything including their life in claiming openly their real names. In 1949 the declaration signed pseudonymous.

SOUNDBITE (English), Vytenis ANDRIUKAITIS, Member of the EC in charge of Health and Food Safety, In the middle of the cold war; this battle was next door; tanks and armies. This was probably the biggest achievement of the resistance movement within the Baltic States and you are very brave colleagues.