On 4 June 1989, Poland held first free elections to the Sejm and Senate. The Solidarity movement won these elections and the first non-communist government in Central and Eastern Europe was formed.
On 23 August of the same year, commemorating the painful consequences of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact for the first time, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia showed their unity forming the Baltic Way which symbolized the occupied countries' aspiration for freedom. These events were the beginning of collapse of the Soviet empire.
According to the President, in the face of newly emerging threats these historic events acquire a new meaning and are examples for other nations seeking freedom.
"A quarter of a century has passed since our nations the first managed to peacefully regain freedom. It is a very strong example for other nations that move along the path of democratic development. The process of building Europe is not completed yet - not all the countries have freed themselves from sovietization clutches, while Russia threatens re-independent countries anew. Annexation and occupation are again real threats on the European continent. Therefore, we must stand united in defending our freedom," the President said.
The President further underlined that common threats have brought Lithuania and Poland - strong partners in the region, EU and NATO for these past 25 years - even closer together.
Taking part in the festivities were EU leaders, Presidents of the United States, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Germany, Austria, Ukraine and Hungary, the Prime Minister of Canada, the King of the Belgians, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
Meetings of the heads of state or government focused on European security in the face of the Russian threat. Discussions involved not only response to military threats, but also to economic, energy and information hazards.
