The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania,

congratulating Ukraine and Georgia on the first anniversary of their democratic revolutions manifesting the resolve of civil society,

noting the importance of democratic changes for the future of these countries,

emphasising that the formation of a democratic community in the countries that have suffered from one of the forms of Soviet oppression exercises a marked influence on the democratic development of the region, Europe and the whole of the world,

appreciating the efforts made by these states to strengthen the representative democratic system, civil society and democratic institutions, to fight corruption and to ensure the freedom of the press as well as other fundamental human and civil rights and freedoms,

states that:

it celebrates together with Ukraine and Georgia, which have passed the fundamental test of democracy;

it is confident that free elections, representing the will of the country’s citizens and placing trust in the citizen elected government of sovereign states, unite people to work towards a common goal of building secure and prosperous countries;

it confirms that Lithuania will always extend its support on this road fraught with challenges;

also recognising that a group of countries – Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova – committed to the same European goals has been formed in Eastern Europe,

stating that co-operation among these countries would contribute to a more rapid implementation of democratic reforms necessary to attain these goals,

invites all institutions and non-governmental organisations of the Republic of Lithuania as well as the whole of our civil society to share their experience, which would help to fulfil the common expectations of the nations living in the EU neighbourhood.

We hope that our solidarity will serve as a basis for Eastern European countries to become an example of mature democracy and national tolerance for all the other states that are yet to traverse the difficult road of democratic change.

SPEAKER OF THE SEIMAS

OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA                                       ARTŪRAS PAULAUSKAS