"Prince Philip and I begin today in Vilnius our first visit to the Baltic States to mark the achievements of all three nations in these recent years. You have emerged from the shadow of the Soviet Union and blossomed as sovereign states, taking up your rightful places in the international community and as respected members of the European Union and NATO.  It is a transformation - political, economic and social - for which there are few parallels in the history of Europe."

- Queen Elizabeth II,
Queen of the United Kingdom