Grybauskaite sworn in as President

VILNIUS- Newly elected President Dalia Grybauskaite was sworn intoday as Lithuania'sfirst female head of state.

 

Gybauskaite delivered her inaugural address to theLithuanian Parliament. After thanking the first head of the restored state of Lithuania, Vytautas Landsbergis, President Algirdas Brazauskas and President Valdas Adamkus, Gybauskaite went on to outline her plan for Lithuania.

 

The text of herfirst speech as president as translated by ELTA:

I have solemnly promised to be equally just to all.

 I understand it also as a reasonable and fair relationship between thethree powers: the President, the Seimas and the Government.

 I will be an active president. I will use all the powers afforded tome by the Constitution.

I will resolutely protect the interests of the citizens by virtue of my wordand authority as President.

I feel honored and humbled by the trust and confidence extended to me by thepeople of Lithuaniaand the expectations they have placed upon me. However, I would like toencourage you, and especially those who think that change is impossible, to beactive citizens of your state!

 Do criticize the government and me as part of political power whenneeded!

But do not forget: there is but a fine line between criticizing thegovernment and undermining the state itself. Empty criticism will not solve asingle problem.

 Therefore, I will consult with all political parties, non-governmentalorganizations and civil movements. I will strengthen and expand the circle ofpublic presidential advisers and the weight of their importance.

As I travelled across Lithuania,I saw that people are strongly disappointed with courts. I heard them say:"We have courts, but not enough justice." I saw a lot of indignationover double standards: one type of justice for ordinary people and a differentone for influential figures.

When I appoint judges, I will focus special attention on their integrity,honesty and good repute. People will only respect the courts when the courtsstart respecting themselves.

In these times of difficulty, we hear the word "crisis" all thetime. When putting out the fire today, let us think about tomorrow. Let usbring our efforts together and make changes that will lay the groundwork forfuture decades.

Let us live without oligarchic monopolies and non-transparent transactions.

Let us release the potential of family and small businesses.

Let us complete the never-ending process of reforms in health care,education and welfare, vitally important to us all.

Let us place the individual and his rights in the center of politics andmake them the core of political commitment. In this way we will find an answerto the question: Why is it that the majority of those who leave Lithuania forother countries find more respectful human relations, more security and morefreedom there than in their Homeland?

Good relations with our neighbors have always been and will always be a topforeign policy priority.

 But let us strike a balance in the foreign policy pendulum:

Let strong and consistent protection of Lithuania's interests replace ourimaginary leadership in the Euro-Atlantic space.

Having established our authority, based on one thousand-year-old wisdom, in Western Europe, we will feel much stronger in the Eastand we will be more respected by those nations that follow the example ofLithuanian Freedom.

There is nothing more valuable than a man seeking his calling in life and astate that is being built by organized effort.

 For the first one thousand years, Lithuaniahas travelled a rough road: it had been both the largest country in Europe and a country wiped out from the European map.

I firmly believe that our efforts here and now will determine whether or notthe name of Lithuania will be still mentioned after another thousand yearsamong the names of countries with thriving democracy, well-being and respectfor each and every citizen.

Let us all come together! For the sake of Lithuania!