Speech of Professor Žaneta Ozoliņa at the opening gala dinner of the Riga Conference
Photo: Gints Malderis
Riga, November 27, 2006
I.
Madam President, Secretary General, Senator Lugar, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Riga is the centre of the international security debate for these three days. Tomorrow, the heads of 26 member states will take crucial decisions on the transformation of NATO in the XXI century. Transformation is not the final goal, but a process. A process that involves politicians, experts, academics, and NGO representatives discussing new visions, strategies and thinking. Ideas drive transformation! A Think-Tank conference has gathered the brightest minds from all over the world to offer new, innovative, provocative, challenging, and brave ideas that will contribute to a better understanding of what the international community can deliver to make the world more secure.
The NATO summit and the Think-Tank conference in Riga is a historical event for several reasons – the event marks the 16 year-long process of Latvia’s return to the international arena, and its new role as one of the many actors shaping global security policy. This is the democratic world’s acknowledgment to Latvia, as well as Estonia and Lithuania, of its great and successful transformation from totalitarianism to democracy. Today, we are happy to share our pride and joy in these achievements with our closest allies. This NATO Summit is also historic in turning Riga into the center of important debates on the alliances future, thus helping to shape the international security agenda, as well as set the tone of the global and regional security debate for the next two years.
II
Madam President,
One the worlds leading politicians once said: "In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man; if you want anything done, ask a woman." You have done a lot – you brought Latvia into the center of the UN reform debate, and now you have brought the global debate to Latvia. Throughout your presidency you have worked hard to bring Latvia into NATO. Today, you have brought NATO to Latvia. Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of Latvia – Vaira Vīķe Freiberga.
III
Riga hosts 250 conference participants from both NATO and partner countries. A country’s security cannot be measured by the number of tanks it owns, but by the number of friends it has. NATO’s strength lies in its partnership. Success of Riga Summit will be not measured by adopted declarations but by number of new initiatives, new networks of partnerships and courage that nations who strive for NATO membership will receive. Secretary General – over the last years the alliance has extended the borders of partnership. Today the alliance has brought together the intellectual capacity of its partners at this Riga conference in order to strengthen the alliance. Secretary General!
IV
Latvia’s accession to NATO would not be possible without the strong support of its friends. Without the friends who, during 50 long years of occupation, were always convinced that a day of joint celebration for Latvia’s independence would arrive. During the days when few believed that Latvia would ever regain its state independence, during the days when some believed that Latvia would become a NATO member state, there always was one country which never lost belief – the United States of America.
CONFUCIUS ONCE WROTE - To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right. Senator Lugar – your heart was always right, and the best proof of this is your personal commitment to the enlargement of NATO and to the transformation of the alliance. We are very honored that you kindly agreed to deliver the key note speech tonight. Senator Lugar.
