President Adamkus met with the Lithuanian community of Uruguay

 Addressing the business people of Uruguay, President Adamkus said that Lithuania’s and Uruguay’s similar-size economies could be linked by fresh business projects.

 Valdas Adamkus pointed out that he was accompanied by a Lithuanian business delegation and his visit was also aimed at creating a favorable environment for developing business contacts between the two countries.

 “Lithuania’s integration into the single European Union market and its unified trade and business system has made Lithuania attractive and more comprehensible to far-away businesses,” Mr. Adamkius said.

 He underlined that Lithuanian people, particularly those engaged in business, had good knowledge of the markets in the EU eastern neighborhood: Ukraine, Georgia, and Russia.

 “Lithuania can be attractive not only for its domestic reforms, a well-arranged transit transport system, and an ice-free Klaipėda port, but also for its experience in dealing with eastern neighbors,” Mr. Adamkus said.

 The business people of Uruguay were introduced to Lithuania’s economic reforms, essential changes made in the energy system, and the modernization of its transport sector.

 President Adamkus also met with the Lithuanian community of Uruguay. “When travelling in South American countries, where Lithuanians have been living for almost one hundred years, we found what we had expected to find: well preserved Lithuanian identity, love for the mother tongue and respect for national culture,” Mr. Adamkus said. “Most importantly, you have cherished them throughout the decades when Lithuania was separated from the democratic world. We have brought you a thank-you for always standing together with Lithuania, even in times of its greatest pain and hardship, and for believing in its freedom and a future when we would raise the tricolor with pride and without fear.”

 Mr. Adamkus said that the Lithuanians living in many different countries of the world and Lithuania were inseparable pieces of a glowing mosaic, therefore the bond between Lithuania and the Lithuanians living far away from it would never fade.

 He emphasized that he felt great pride in the South American Youth Union and the immense contribution it was making to the preservation of Lithuanian national identity.

 The chairman of the Uruguayan Lithuanian Community, Roberto Ibarra, underlined that it was not very easy for the fourth generation of Lithuanians born in Uruguay to promote Lithuanian identity.

 “We are the children and grandchildren of the Lithuanian nation and we need spiritual support from Lithuania much more than material support,” Mr. Ibarra said.

 He expressed hope that such mistakes as the Law on Citizenship, vetoed by President Adamkus, will never happen again.

 The Lithuanian community of Uruguay was founded in 1950 and currently numbers ten thousand.