Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends,
At this time of year, the Nordic Baltic countries usually arrange a common celebration of our national days in Prague. This year it would have been the 13th time we held our celebration, had it not been cancelled due to the risks posed by the corona virus.
Although we each have our separate national days, sprung from different national experiences, our joint Nordic-Baltic celebration is a symbol of the special ties which exist between our countries, our close regional cooperation and our shared values.
Now, when we cannot celebrate together with all of you, we nevertheless want to thank you for a year of excellent cooperation, send a message about our region and a wish that we will soon manage to overcome these challenging times stronger together.
Our Nordic-Baltic region is home to over 32 million people and forms the 11th largest economy in the world.
The focus we direct towards innovation and new technology has turned our region into a hub for start-ups, e-business and smart solutions.
Our region is also known as a region of openness, social care and a high level of gender equality. Our focus on human rights and democracy and the importance we attach to sustainability and green development has enhanced our standard of living and contributes to a better future for all.
Our open and strong societies encourage creativity and freedom of the arts. Music, cinema, literature and design in the Nordic Baltic region define our region and contribute to our innovations and attractiveness.
These different sides of our societies are interdependent and important, not least in times when we depend on innovation, creativity and good governance for finding solutions to global challenges.
We are committed to continue working with our partners all over the globe for a sustainable world where everyone has the possibility to develop his or her abilities, and we praise the excellent cooperation between our region and the Czech Republic for the achievement of these goals.
We join hands in thanking the Czech Republic for the generous help it has offered us during these extraordinary times, not least through the extensive Czech repatriation program extended to many of our citizens.
We wish you all a beautiful summer and we hope that next year we will be able to celebrate together.
H.E. Mr. Ole Frijs-Madsen, Ambassador of Denmark
H.E. Ms. Eva-Maria Liimets, Ambassador of Estonia
H.E. Mr. Jukka Pesola, Ambassador of Finland
H.E. Mr. Thórir Ibsen, Ambassador of Iceland
H.E. Ms. Gunta Pastore, Ambassador of Latvia
Mr. Aurimas Šimkus, Chargé d’Affaires of Lithuania
H.E. Mr. Robert Kvile, Ambassador of Norway
H.E. Ms. Viktoria Li, Ambassador of Sweden