Speech

Thank you Minister Pistorius, dear Boris.
Thank you for makng us all come here for this important occasion.
Prime Minister Šimonytė, dear Ingrida,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen, 
Last but not least, President Grybauskaite, dear Dalia, 

It is a great pleasure to be back in Vilnius. 
In this beautiful Town Hall. 
And to honour President Grybauskaite, 
for her many contributions to peace and freedom in Europe. 

Let me start with a story. 
Some years ago, when NATO was about to move into its new, big headquarters,
Dalia gave me a present.
A bright orange scooter, produced here in Lithuania.
She told me the new building was so huge, so big, I would need a scooter to get around faster!
I still keep the scooter in my office. 
People wonder why I have it there. 
Well, when there is a lot to do and no time to waste, a scooter could come in handy. 

I tell you this because if anyone knows how to get to where you need to be quickly, efficiently and decisively, 
it is President Grybauskaite!
She has proven this time and again throughout her career. 
Implementing tough reforms as Lithuania’s Minister of Finance.  
Initiating the reform of the EU budget as European Commissioner.
Guiding Lithuania through a severe economic crisis, as President.
And the list goes on… 
But what I know best is that she has been a driving force at NATO and for transatlantic cooperation. 

I remember when we met, over lunch, shortly after I took up my job as NATO Secretary General. 
Dalia, at that time you were President of Lithuania. 
It was in late 2014.
The year Russia illegally annexed Crimea. 

ou spoke about the danger Russia posed to Lithuania. 
To Europe. 
And to NATO. 
You told me, with conviction, that Lithuania would never again give in to foreign occupation without a fight.
You prove it in the way you have always fought for democracy and freedom. 
With strength, perseverance and discipline.
Like a true karate black belt, which I know you are. 
Which is quite impressive, actually.

In 2014, you were already clear-eyed and outspoken about the nature of the threat posed by Russia. 
And the need for Lithuania, and all Allies, to be better prepared to address this threat. 

You walked the talk. 
And led by example. 

You reduced Lithuania’s dependence on Russian energy by opening a new liquefied natural gas terminal in Klaipeda.
Raised Lithuania’s investment in defence. 
From less than 1 % to 2 % of GDP in 2019. 
It is now just over 2.5%. 
And you welcomed the deployment of the NATO battlegroup in Lithuania, 
as part of the Alliance’s enhanced military presence on the eastern flank. 
Led by Germany, with forces from Belgium, Czechia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway. 
And today we saw the battlegroup, parts of it, exercising. And we heard the announcement of Minister Pistorius for additional German troops reinforcing it.

Lithuania is not alone. 
Your security is our security.
All Allies stand together in NATO. 
“One for all and all for one”. 
As we have done for nearly 75 years. 

And we will once again demonstrate our strong unity and solidarity at the NATO Summit, 
here in Vilnius in just two weeks’ time. 

As we look to the Summit, NATO is on a course that you helped chart.    
You have long been a firm advocate of standing up to Russia and standing with Ukraine. 
And supporting NATO enlargement. 
This is what you said needed to happen, to preserve peace across the Euro-Atlantic area. 
You were right.
And it is precisely what we have been doing. 
And will continue to do. 
To keep Lithuania and our one billion people safe.

At the Vilnius Summit, we will send a strong message of enduring support to Ukraine.
And make clear that Ukraine’s future is in NATO.

We will agree a package to further strengthen our deterrence and defence. 
We will also agree a new defence investment pledge. 
Because as you know, investing 2% of GDP on defence is not a ceiling to reach, but a floor we must build on.

So we have a busy agenda ahead of us. 
And we must drive issues forward. 
As Manfred Wörner would have done. 

He was instrumental in ensuring NATO extended the hand of friendship to central and eastern European countries after the fall of the Berlin Wall. 
Paving the way for those new democracies to join our family of free nations, following their sovereign democratic decisions.

Lithuania was one of those countries. 
With Dalia receiving this medal, it feels like his efforts have come full circle. 
Like Manfred Wörner, Dalia Grybauskaite is known for her willingness to speak openly for what she believes is right.
She embodies the courage to stand up against oppression and for freedom. 
And like Manfred Wörner, she works hard, with passion and determination, 
to make NATO stronger, 
and all of us safer. 

So I cannot think of any better person to receive this prestigious medal. 
Many congratulations Dalia!
And thank you.