On the national holiday, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) calls on everyone to appreciate that we have a free and independent Latvia.
At a press conference following a meeting with President Edgars Rinkēvičs, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to all the government and state leaders, members of society, and journalists who have worked over the past 35 years to make it possible for Latvia to celebrate the restoration of its independence.
“We may feel that we are facing many challenges, but we can only imagine the courageous decisions that had to be made in the 1990s, and what life and society were like in those uncertain times. But together, we believed in a free Latvia,” said the Prime Minister.
She emphasized that today we have a free Latvia and are part of the European Union and NATO. Siliņa thanked everyone who has stood up for values important to Latvia over the past 35 years, including the Latvian language, which remains a priority for the government.
“For all of us, the anniversary of Latvia’s independence restoration is a time of remembrance and celebration. We must value what we have today – a free and independent country – regardless of who our neighbors are. They are aggressive, and we must take that into account, which is why it’s so important to strengthen our security,” said the Prime Minister.
The President also emphasized that freedom and independence are priceless values.
He wished everyone joyful celebrations on May 1st – Constitution Assembly Day and Labor Day – as well as on May 4th, the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Latvia’s independence.
“Let’s celebrate wisely, let’s meet at the festivities, celebrate in our own ways, and remember that freedom and independence are priceless values,” said the President.
As previously reported by LETA, on May 4, 1990, 138 out of 201 members of the Supreme Council adopted the Declaration “On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia.”
On that day, thousands of people stood outside the parliament building following the vote. The deputies who supported Latvia’s independence and then went to the rally at Daugavmala were greeted with flowers and loud cheers. Communists and members of the Interfront movement who refused to participate in the vote left the parliament building through the back door.
Also on May 4, 1990, Supreme Council Chairman Anatolijs Gorbunovs sent a message to USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev stating that the Republic of Latvia was beginning a transitional period to restore state power de facto. This message was also sent to governments around the world, to the peoples of the USSR, and to democratic movements.