On the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between US and Baltic States, Latvian President Egils Levits, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Estonian President Alar Kariss sent a joint congratulation letter to US President Joe Biden.
«This is an anniversary of our people’s friendship, respect and cooperation,» Baltic leaders say.
«For the Baltics, independence was not a gift, we had to defend it on the battlefield. We know that freedom, sovereignty and independence are priceless. So do the Ukrainians. We wish to thank the United States of for their efforts to ensure that the US stands with Ukraine, together with its Allies and partners,» Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian presidents wrote in the letter.
In their letter, Baltic leaders thank Joe Biden for the assistance provided by the US in reinforcing rule of law and establishing a system of international law based on common principles.
Levits, Nauseda and Karis extend gratitude to the United States of America for their consequent non-recognition of occupation of Baltic States and stressing the Soviet Union’s actions of 1940 as illegal. «The Sumner Welles declaration of 1940 was key to the continuity of our statehood,» the letter mentions.
Baltic presidents also stress commitment to enhancing economic cooperation between Baltic States and the US, praising the success of the ongoing Three Seas Initiative. «The Three Seas Initiative will allow for the creation of a more cohesive bloc of countries on the Eastern flank of NATO, as well as the creation of the necessary infrastructure for energy, in the field of transport and digital with Ukraine and other countries of our region, which are characterized by democratic values.»