"President Dalia Grybauskaitė is consistently and resolutely defending Ukraine's interests and supporting its democratic aspirations at the highest international level. Her voice is heard from most influential international rostrums, affirming our nation's right to be equal among European countries," the official letter of the Higher Academic Council reads.

The letter further says that President Dalia Grybauskaitė actively supports Ukraine's European aspirations, calling on the international community to protect its sovereignty. The prize statement underlines that President Dalia Grybauskaitė's personal contribution to preserving Ukraine's unity and consolidating democratic principles deserves this highest Ukrainian award.

Lithuania has been among the first member states to ratify the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. It is consistently voicing strong support for the determination of Ukrainian people to build a European state.

The Person of the Year title is given to outstanding representatives of politics, culture and arts for their contribution to strengthening the Ukrainian independence, supporting and promoting Ukraine, its people and traditions.

The Higher Academic Council of Ukraine consists of eminent intellectuals, public figures, members of academic community.

Former recipients of this honorable and prestigious award include Pope John Paul II, Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Javier Solana, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer, U.S. Senator John McCain.

The award ceremony will take place on March 21.

www.baltic-course.com