The Latvian capital city has named a new square Iceland Square in commemoration of the fact that Iceland was the first country to recognise Latvian independence 20 years ago.
The square was named at a ceremony yesterday attended by the Latvian Foreign Minister Girts Valdis Kristovskis and his Icelandic counterpart Ossur Skarphedinsson. At the same square in 2004 the Baltic leaders all gathered to plant trees, The Baltic Course reports.
“Twenty years ago, on August 22, Iceland made a historic decision to recognize the restored independence of the Baltic States. This decision was extremely important, because Iceland also inspired other countries to follow its example,” the Latvian minister said. “However, Iceland’s role in regaining of Latvia’s independence was even more significant. On December 18, 1990, the Althing (Iceland’s Parliament) adopted a resolution “On Support to the Baltic States in Struggle for Independence”, which states that the conflicts in Europe will not be solved until the Baltic States will have fully regained their independence.”
More: www.icenews.is