Other events in Baltic States

 Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu paid tribute to the state and people of Lithuania at the most important ceremony -- raising of flags -- marking the 30th anniversary of the restoration of Lithuania’s independence, informed LETA/BNS. 

At the Independence Square next to the Seimas in Vilnius, the flags of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were raised, and the joint orchestra of the defense forces of the Baltic States played the national anthems of the three countries, spokespeople for the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. 

Reinsalu said that Lithuania and the other two Baltic States had made incredible progress after the restoration of independence.

"Lithuania was the first country to shake off the shackles of the Soviet Union. Today, the Baltic States are free countries and their words carry weight in the European Union, NATO and the UN," he said.

"March 11 -- the day of the re-establishment of the independent Lithuanian state -- is also important for Estonia. The decision made 30 years ago in Vilnius holds extraordinary significance in the process of the liberation of the Baltic States," Reinsalu said. "We have been united in all vital political issues related to our security, freedom and future," he added.

Lithuania declared independence again on March 11, 1990. Unlike Estonia and similarly to Latvia, the restoration of independence in Lithuania was not bloodless. On Jan. 13, 1991, clashes between the people protecting the Vilnius television tower and Soviet soldiers claimed 14 lives.