May 7 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2005

Remarks on Being Presented the Order of Three Stars, First-Class in Riga, May 7, 2005

Madam President, I gratefully accept. I And so, Madam President, thank you for am so honored and so thrilled to be here your hospitality, and thank you so much in your beautiful country. for this great honor. Appreciate it. I was telling the President that it’s such a joy to come to a country that loves and values freedom and to be in the presence of a President who speaks so clearly about NOTE: The President spoke at 9:55 a.m. in the need for people to be free and her the Hall of Coats and Arms at Riga Castle. recognition that a free world will yield In his remarks, he referred to President Vaira peace. Vike-Freiberga of Latvia.

Remarks Following Discussions With President Vaira Vike-Freiberga of Latvia in Riga May 7, 2005

President Vike-Freiberga. We are, of President Vike-Freiberga. And we’re course, very gratified at this sudden interest pleased that the cameras are now turned in Latvia that we’re seeing among the jour- on Latvia while you are here. [Laughter] nalists. [Laughter] And it’s truly a great President Bush. That’s right. pleasure to see these wonderful journalists Q. Mr. President—— coming to my country and having a look President Bush. Thank you all. We’ll have around. And, Mr. President, I think that ample opportunity in an open press con- you have something to do with that. ference. And I certainly wouldn’t want you [Laughter] to fire your best question here. [Laughter] President Bush. Well, thank you for hav- ing us, Madam President. It’s been a trip I’ve really been anxious to fulfill. I admire your leadership; I admire your country’s NOTE: The President spoke at approximately courage. I love the fact that you’re a free 11:10 a.m. in the Golden Hall at Riga Castle. nation and willing to speak out so clearly A portion of these remarks could not be for freedom. So, thanks for the hospitality. verified because the tape was incomplete.

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The President’s News Conference With President Vaira Vike-Freiberga of Latvia, President Arnold Ruutel of , and President Valdas Adamkus of in Riga May 7, 2005

President Vike-Freiberga. Ladies and dear to the rest of the world community, gentlemen, thank you for coming to this principles of democracy, protection of the joint press conference of the three Baltic human rights, principles of free expression. Presidents and the President of the United And there was total agreement, and I States of America. We have just had a can reassure the President of the United meeting together and the most fruitful dis- States that we will be standing and defend- cussion about our transatlantic relationships ing the rights of the people, even those and also on the relationship between the neighbors who are still—for them, democ- two institutions of which Latvia, Estonia, racy is a dream. And by standing and and Lithuania have become members since speaking freely, and I would say, intro- the past year, the relationship between ducing some kind of a dose of oxygen into NATO and the . the resistance and opposition which is striv- We are honored and pleased to have this ing for those same rights we are enjoying, opportunity to have a great leader from we will definitely defend and make a better a great and powerful country come to our world, looking into the future. region and show interest in what happens And I am grateful to the President for here and to have this open and very frank his presence here in the Baltic States, his debate with the three Baltic Presidents. inspiration and strength for all of us to With this, I pass the floor to the President continue our commitments. Thank you, Mr. of Lithuania, President Valdas Adamkus. President. President Adamkus. Mr. President, ladies President Vike-Freiberga. President and gentlemen, this was an extremely good Ruutel. meeting and at a very good time. We are welcoming the President of the United President Ruutel. Honored colleagues, es- States here; as I said, welcome back to teemed press, I’m very happy about today’s the shores of the Baltic Sea. And it was meeting, and the high-level contacts be- during the discussions we really touched tween our countries have produced very on vital issues: the relationship between the essential and fruitful cooperation. The will and the European continent and desire with which the United States as—in a whole. We touched on issues con- has supported the endeavors of our people cerning directly the relationship between have proven to be very fruitful. Baltic States and, of course, on the global It has already been a year since we have issues. become members of NATO and the Euro- On the part of Lithuania, I have reas- pean Union. Today’s meeting once again sured the President that we are staunch reaffirms the deep friendship and the allies in a fight against terrorism. We will strong relationship between our countries. be standing shoulder to shoulder on general We were talking about the means with global issues concerning the humanity and which we can help democracy, peace, and especially in an event when we are cele- welfare to other countries, which some brating the end of World War II against— countries do not enjoy even in the 21st the victory against nazism and, at the same century. We reassure you that Estonia is time, standing for the principles which are willing to share its experiences with these

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