DR.HABIL.ART. (PHD) OJĀRS SPĀRĪTIS, PRESIDENT OF THE LATVIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Dear Colleagues in Science,
This year, like every year, the Latvian Academy of Sciences confirms its unfailing role of national importance and responsibility in the development of education, science and economy of our country. With this new version of the “Yearbook”, I would like to inform our partners in many countries in an attractive and popular way about the major directions of our national science policy as well as the international importance of our academically outstanding personalities and their research. I am convinced that information on the history, structure and achievements of the Latvian Academy of Sciences will make it possible to ascertain not only the unique and symbolic place of our ACADEMY in the spiritual life of the Latvian nation, but also build up the pride of each country’s scientists and politicians for the symbolic role and place of THEIR Academy. Along with other awards for scientific achievements, the Latvian Academy of Sciences annually awards also the special Cicero Prize to outstanding personalities in the humanities and natural sciences, education, culture and politics.
One of the 2018 winners was the President of France Emmanuel Macron, whose thoughts and words express new and essential ideas for restarting Europe. In his words of gratitude for the Cicero Prize, he addressed the Latvian scientific community with the following: “France and Latvia are closely linked in their choice in favour of Europe, in their desire to see a strong Europe, a Europe that can protect its citizens and protect itself from external risks”.I am delighted with the achievements of Latvian scientists in 2018 and the extensive international cooperation projects that are part of the world’s scientific and technological progress and their theoretical and practical input brings tomorrow closer. It is good to know that the language of science is so universal that it crosses borders and that it creates new knowledge. However, if economic and diplomatic ties between countries were to be obstructed or discontinued, I am convinced that scientists, as recognised leaders of public opinion, will be able to avert contradictions and delineate new ways of international cooperation.
DR.HABIL.ART. (PHD) OJĀRS SPĀRĪTIS, PRESIDENT OF THE LATVIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Mr President of the Senate of the Academy of Sciences, Mr President of the Academy of Sciences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am particularly pleased to accept the Cicero Prize accorded by the Latvian Academy of Sciences and I thank you warmly for it.Through you, Mr President of the Senate, I would like to thank the Latvian people, their President and their Government for this symbol of “strong friend-ship and strong relations” between our two coun-tries, to use the expression of the President François Mitterrand, who was the first European Head of State to pay an official visit to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in May 1992.The celebration of the centenary of the creation of the Latvian state throughout 2018 was the occa-sion of a special intensification of the bilateral rela-tionship between France and Latvia. The inaugur-ation at the Musée d’Orsay, last spring, of the superb exhibition “Untamed Souls” has highlighted great European painters originating in the Baltic coun-tries who contributed to the awakening of national feeling. I welcome the major role played by Latvia in organising this exhibition, which is now also taking place in the three Baltic States.This exhibition, inaugurated by the Presidents, in the presence of the Ministers of Culture and your Minister of Foreign Affairs, marked the beginning of a series of fruitful contacts, notably with President
Raimonds Vējonis. On this occasion, the Foreign Ministers were able to sign an Action Plan of the Strategic Partnership, which sets ambitious goals for the relationship between France and Latvia over the next five years, in all areas of the bilateral relationship. In light of the troubled and uncertain international context, it is essential to continue the very close cooperation between our two countries, particularly in terms of de-fence and security. It is in our mutual interest. It is in the interest of the European project. France and Latvia are closely linked by the choice for Europe, by a common destiny centred on the same European ambition, with the same desire to have a strong Europe, a Europe that knows how to protect its citizens and defend itself against external risks. If Latvia is today in the first circle of solidarity within the European Union, it is because it made the deliberate choice, already before 2004, to overcome difficulties, to be at the forefront of the project Euro-pean Union and to hold high European values. Before we embark on the year 2019, which will allow us to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the liberation of Rīga, I wish to reiterate the commitment of France to a sovereign, united and democratic Europe.
Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE EMMANUEL MACRON
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