President Frank-Walter Steinmeier underscored the profound significance of Lithuania’s national day, emphasizing its contemporary relevance as a resolute affirmation of liberty and sovereignty.
Speaking in Vilnius on Sunday, Steinmeier highlighted the date commemorating the coronation of Grand Duke Mindaugas in 1253, asserting its continuing importance to the broader European ideal. He characterized it not merely as a historical marker, but as a living testament to core values.
Steinmeier commended the Lithuanian people for their enduring pursuit of freedom and their deep-seated national pride. He noted the Lithuanian constitution’s recognition of the “people of Lithuania” as the foundational source of state authority and praised the deeply ingrained spirit of freedom and responsibility within the nation.
The President affirmed the shared commitment of Germany and Lithuania to the freedom of Ukraine and the strengthening of European unity.
He specifically referenced the deployment of a German brigade in Lithuania, which he described as a visible demonstration of mutual responsibility and alliance solidarity, adding that the security of Lithuania is intrinsically linked to that of Europe.
