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Good evening, dear people of Latvia!
On New Year’s Eve we traditionally look back at the events of the last year, accomplishments and maybe also backlogs. We look at what important events have taken place and assess their impact on our future. Thus, we pay attention mainly to those events which will affect our life also in the future. There were many such events in the year 2002.
All in all, whether we believe it or not, the years which from both ends are written alike have been significant for Latvia. Thus, in 1991 we regained independence. In 2002, we were invited to join NATO and concluded negotiations with the European Union. We held very important Saeima (Parliamentary) elections and formed a new Government. All these events will have the most direct impact on our future. They are all related to serious expectations for a more secure and better life. In the last months of the past year important work has begun. We have started to develop an honest and open public administration. The work is still in the initial stages, but the expected result is of vital importance. Within its framework, we hope in the course of time to arrive at a more economic government budget and more useful utilisation of state resources. We look forward to growth of economic activity that will ensure a prosperous old age for our people.
One of our first measures was adoption of the Law on complete transparency of Government and local government procurement. By means of some precise amendments to the Civil Service Law we have prevented several shortcomings in our civil service system. We have reduced certain tax rates. All this, together with access to the single European market and security guarantees provided by NATO, will foster economic activity of the nation, improve the material situation and reduce unemployment.
As a result, it will also be possible to increase child allowances in the future. We will join a unified Europe that will mean welfare for our children in the coming generations. The Government will be able to take due care of elderly people and their pensions. This work has been started, but much has yet to be done. We should arrive at a situation where the state is free of corruption, excessive bureaucracy and state arbitrariness towards individuals. We must not ignore absurdities and everyone has to take part in their prevention. Together we have power and we can make it.
Now we have a Government that is willing to listen to your proposals. Let’s make use of this opportunity! We also wish to listen to your complaints, in case somebody has experienced injustice.
Thinking of the future, let’s remember that our choice will determine the place of Latvia in Europe and the family of Western countries.
Next year the citizens of Latvia will have the opportunity to vote for accession of Latvia to the European Union.
By autumn, when the referendum will be held, everyone will have time and opportunity to familiarise themselves with the terms of accession and make an informed choice.
In the future, the European Union will most directly affect every inhabitant of Latvia.
Next year we will have to decide how we want to live, and even more importantly, what will be the life of our children and grandchildren who are not yet able to participate in the referendum.
This will be very significant choice for our future. Next year responsibility towards our allies will also increase. As NATO Member States are ready to provide us with security and independence guarantees, we also cannot step aside in the hope of avoiding responsibility and risk. We cannot expect guarantees from others if we are not ready to contribute. Next year could be a year of serious challenges for Western democracies and, if necessary, we will be committed to standing side by side in meeting these challenges.
Latvia has proved its ability to participate in international peace keeping forces. Latvia can also share its experience in the development of a free, democratic state by peaceful means. Our neighbouring countries, with whom we share destinies - Lithuania and Estonia - are also in step with us and are preparing for accession to the EU and NATO. Thus, the unity of the Baltic States and close co-operation with Nordic countries will only increase.
My wish in this connection is that next year our joint decision on the place of Latvia in the world will be far-sighted and well-founded. Apart from that, I want us to welcome the New Year in a positive atmosphere. We are not a battlefield. There is peace in Latvia, the national economy is successfully developing, thus the overall situation should improve. Of course, our attitude towards each other is of great importance. I wish for more friendship, co-operation and love.
We can speak about love also in another important connection. We are becoming extinct! Literally and continuously. It is not the misfortune only of Latvia. Low birth rates are characteristic for the whole of Europe. There is hardly more than one child for two adults. Among the countries with a high birth rate, we can mention Nigeria, Yemen, Somalia, Uganda. Mainly African countries. There are more than seven children for every two adults. We rank among the countries with the lowest birth rate.
Last November Pope John Paul II in his first and only address to the Italian Parliament said: “The birth rate crisis in Italy is an important threat to the future of the country”. That was a warning by the Pope, but the birth rate in Latvia is even lower than in Italy. However, the Government alone cannot do much here. It is possible, of course, to increase allowances, improve the economic situation, repair roads, decrease unemployment, and it will be done, but it is not enough. Even if we were to immediately reach the economic level of Italy, it would not solve the birth rate problem. Here we need something more – peace and quiet, harmony and country air, an unhurried and happy life, as well as birdsong in the morning.
Maybe this is another reason for the Government to take care of development, so that joy returns to the countryside, so that people return and feel happy there. In the cities, we find ourselves in a rat race. Work and success, work and career, career and growth, rush and business, stress and overwork. What for, if the nation is becoming extinct?
Haven’t we forgotten about spirituality? About peace and harmony? About the soul and love? So, I say less hate, intolerance and disputes! More understanding and peace! Let all work be done in a positive atmosphere! In this way it is possible to accomplish much more. Everyone knows how easy it is to work if harmony and goodness prevails. Problems still exist, but step by step, together we will overcome them. Let pride and self-reliance lead us! We are able. Latvia has always been looked after by diligent hands, we have always managed to feed ourselves. Even disaster caused by various wars has never been able to depress the nation for long.
The nation has always risen and worked and accomplished. Today, too, we can do it and we will do it. We live in peacetime and everything lies in our own hands. We only have to act. We have to act peacefully, thoroughly, with dedication, without rush and stress. We have to help each other in our work, without hate, disputes and envy, but in harmony, love and mutual support.
In any case, the Government will do what it has to do, you will do what you consider important and necessary, but to all of us, the Latvian nation, I wish a happy and successful year 2003.
May this night be happy for all of you!
May next year be happy for all of you!
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