Foreign Minister on the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia: the first century of the Republic of Estonia is not an incidental, passing moment in history

 
“Today, as we rejoice and sing of the beauty of our homeland and the pain it has gone through, we sense our unity and strength. We are strong as a people because we care for one another, we are one with this land, language and culture and those who have been here, lived and loved, worked and fought their battles, long before our time,” Foreign Minister Sven Mikser said in his speech in Paide on the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia.

“Today we need to take concepts like nationalism and reclaim them, as happy, positive concepts. A kind of nationalism that lets us feel proud of what we have accomplished over the century and everything that makes us Estonia and Estonians. We need a cheerful nationalism that doesn’t build walls between Estonia and the world, but gives us strength and self-confidence to remain Estonia and Estonians in a free and open world,” he said.

“Our independent nation was born a century ago because allies stood beside our valorous warriors. When, due to the twists and turns of history on the eve of World War II, we found ourselves isolated, we once again came under foreign occupation.  That is why we knew, as we shook off our shackles a quarter century ago, that we need friends and allies to maintain our independence, and today they are here, standing beside us.  Not just during celebrations but every day, defending Estonian statehood and independence, and our common values and international order founded on consensus,” Mikser emphasised.

“Today we mark the 100th birthday of our state, but our story as a people goes back much further. Where better to reflect on this than Paide? We are just couple hundred metres from the memorial to the old Estonian leaders who in April 1343 rose up to defend their people, their hopes and birthrights. It is because of this that we are confident that the first century of the Republic of Estonia is not an incidental, passing moment in history, but rather that our finest days, years and centuries lie ahead and are up to us to build!

Full text of the speech: http://vm.ee/et/uudised/valisminister-sven-mikseri-kone-paide-keskvaljakul-toimunud-vabariigi-aastapaeva