On 23 August 1989 about two million people joined their hands in the Baltic Way from Tallinn to Vilnius. Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian people formed their freedom’s way, thus showing their unbending will for freedom, self-determination and democracy. Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia demonstrated to the world that the pace of history, the fate of states and nations can be changed without bloodshed and violence. That was the way the Baltic people won the support and appreciation from the international community. That was how the Baltic people confirmed moral strength, human and democratic potential not only to others, but also to themselves. 

Оn the basis of cooperation among the three Baltic countries, in March 2008 the draft document was submitted to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris for adding the Baltic Way documentary heritage to the Memory of the World Register.

The Baltic Assembly,

in view of the crucial moral and emotional importance of the Baltic Way in the history of the Baltic independence and history,

calls on national parliaments and governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and the Baltic Council of Ministers:

-     to announce 2009 as the year of the 20th Anniversary of the Baltic Way,

-     to plan and coordinate joint activities to celebrate the year of the anniversary of the Baltic unity and achievements of the fight for the independence of the Baltic States.

Viljandi, 6 December 2008