Prime Minister’s greetings to Croatia on Statehood Day

Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė is sending a message of greetings, on behalf of the Government and the people of Lithuania to Croatia on the Statehood Day.

‘Lithuania highly values the friendship and close cooperation between our countries in the Alliance. The Croatian contribution to ŃATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence battalion in Lithuania demonstrates the firm commitment of your country and that of the Alliance to defend our common values. I hope that important decisions on increasing the security of NATO’s eastern flank and on Ukraine’s future in NATO will be made in NATO Summit in Vilnius in July, and it will further strengthen our Alliance.

Our unity in the context of Russia’s shocking and brutal invasion of Ukraine needs to continue as our support to Ukraine till its victory. Ukraine defends itself and Europe’s future. At the same time, it is important that all those responsible for Russia’s war against Ukraine are held accountable by establishing Special Tribunal for the prosecution of the crime of aggression.

Croatia’s stance in supporting Ukraine and its people is very much appreciated. Together, we can do more. While we, as the EU and Western democracies, have done a lot for Ukraine, it is crucial that we continue to apply pressure on the regimes of Putin and his accomplice Lukashenko with the strongest possible sanctions to ensure regional peace and stability.

I am also convinced that starting negotiations with Ukraine as soon as possible on its membership in the EU would provide the battered country with a much needed blueprint for reconstruction and long-term reforms, and its people would get reassurance that we truly see them as an integral part of the European family’, reads Prime Minister’s letter.