France and the United States congratulated the people of Lithuania on the occasion of the Independence Day of February 16. President Dalia Grybauskaitė received a message of congratulations from French President François Hollande. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry passed on congratulations from President Barack Obama.
“I extend my sincerest congratulations to you and the people of Lithuania on the occasion of national day. I am delighted to be able to highlight the strong friendship and high-value cooperation between our nations. The Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union contributed to building a more united and harmonious Europe. I sincerely hope that will continue working together to boost economic growth and employment across Europe,” the Frech President wrote in his message of congratulations.
President François Hollande underlined that France was ready to collaborate with Lithuania in the United Nations Security Council where Lithuania was holding membership since January 1.
As he passed on the congratulations of U.S. President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry underscored the strong partnership between Lithuania and the United States.
“On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Lithuania on the 96th anniversary of your independence on February 16. The United States and Lithuania share a warm friendship and a strong commitment to freedom, democracy, shared prosperity, and the rule of law. As Lithuania marks its 10th anniversary in NATO and the European Union and begins its U.N. Security Council term, the United States looks back in pride on the long and productive relationship between our nations,” John Kerry wrote in his official message of congratulations.
The U.S. Secretary of State recalled his visit to Lithuania this past September, noting that he was looking forward to the work ahead to advance democratic norms, increase bilateral trade and investment, and support the goals of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
