REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA SEIMAS STATEMENT ON THE EVALUATION OF CONSEQUENCES OF THE END OF WORLD WAR II IN EUROPE 26 April 2

REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA SEIMAS STATEMENT ON THE EVALUATION OF CONSEQUENCES OF THE END OF WORLD WAR II IN EUROPE 26 April 2005 Vilnius The approaching May, which marks the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, has brought a new tide of evaluations of complicated political circumstances and results of the War. Sharing a similar historical fate, the three Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - were drawn into the whirlwind of World War II against their will and suffered severe consequences. On the eve of World War II, the implementation of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact and the secret protocols signed by Nazi Germany and the Bolshevik Soviet Union resulted in the occupation and annexation of the three Baltic States by the Soviet Union in the summer of 1940. World War II was the result of the concerted aggression of Nazi Germany and Bolshevik Soviet Union. In 1939 Germany and the Soviet Union occupied Poland. This prompted the formation of the Western Antihitlerite Coalition which was later joined by the Soviet Union. World War II claimed millions of lives primarily of the Soviet Union people. Millions of residents of other countries perished too. During the War, the Jewish people were subjected to the most brutal genocide and suffered an extremely great loss. The tragic consequences of the War befell on Lithuania: many people were deported for forced labour in the Third Reich, others perished while actively fighting in the anti-Nazi underground. Therefore, the historical significance of the victory over Nazism is unquestionable and there is no doubt that victory over Nazism means halting aggression. However, something that prolonged occupation of other states, caused countless losses and trampled on expectations of democracy may not be regarded as victory. War is always a tragedy for people. Celebration of its end is primarily an imperative duty to remember the perished people the absolute majority of whom were innocent. We urge all the politicians not to use the war theme in defence of their interests. Assuming the position of judges and prosecutors is inappropriate and impermissible in this context. Forgiveness, tolerance, reconciliation, and historically fair evaluation of the consequences of World War II are the best proof that a lesson has been drawn from the war. Having evaluated the actual consequences of World War II, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania states that: 1) the end of World War II in Europe meant the annihilation of Nazism - one of the greatest evils of civilisation, which also brought about a decades-long occupation of Lithuania and other Baltic States and its painful consequences; 2) it is high time that all good-will states together with Russia, which is seeking to get closer to the united and democratic Europe, should see and recognise the aspects of both the annihilation of Nazism and occupation of the Baltic States, and pay their respects both to the victims of Nazism and Bolshevism; 3) not forgetting all victims of World War II, the Holocaust, post-war resistance and repressions, we should hope that forbearance and tolerance will become the universal principle of communication between the states and their residents. CHAIRMAN OF THE SEIMAS OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA ARTŪRAS PAULAUSKAS