Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentas

01/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/28/2026 13:05

Toast Remarks by President Gitanas NausÄ—da at the State Dinner in Honor of the Danish Royal Couple

Your Majesties,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure, on behalf of myself and Diana, to welcome the Danish Royal Couple - His Majesty King Frederik X and Her Majesty Queen Mary - to this palace.

Your visit is yet another testament to the strong ties and sincere friendship between Lithuania and Denmark. Four years ago, we had the opportunity to mark the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries and the 30th anniversary of their reestablishment. I am confident that during your visit we will further deepen our strategic partnership and enrich it with new experiences.

Since ancient times, Lithuania and Denmark have been linked by the Baltic Sea. It brought our ancestors closer and led to their first encounters. By engaging early in trade and forging cultural ties, we gradually discovered shared interests. In our efforts to prevent our common enemies, including Moscow, from gaining dominance in the Baltic Sea, we fought side by side as allies - and as friends.

It is no coincidence that dynastic marriages forged ties between Lithuania's House of Gediminas and the Danish royal family. And nearly 400 years ago, Prince Valdemar Christian - son of King Christian IV of Denmark - was ceremoniously received at the palace of the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Władysław Vasa. Such diplomatic steps helped us understand each other better and cooperate more smoothly.

Although Lithuania was destined to endure severe trials throughout history - devastating wars, occupations and repressions - we always felt, even in the darkest times, that we belonged to the family of Nordic and Baltic nations.

We are grateful that Denmark never recognized the Soviet occupation of Lithuania and was among the first to recognize the restoration of Lithuania's independence. We still remember the visit of Queen Margrethe and the late Prince Henrik to Lithuania in 1992 - the first visit by a royal couple to our country. Please convey our warmest regards to your mother, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe.

Over the years, the bond between our countries has only grown stronger. Denmark was the first to support Lithuania's membership in NATO and contributed greatly to strengthening our young armed forces, helping them acquire the necessary equipment, as well as valuable knowledge and experience. To this day, Denmark actively participates in NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission and generously supports Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression - something of immense importance to Lithuania.

We greatly appreciate Denmark's long-standing investments in our economy, as well as its contribution to Lithuania's pursuit of European integration after the restoration of independence. It is symbolic that during Denmark's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Lithuania successfully concluded its accession negotiations.

The desire of Lithuanians and Danes to develop bilateral cultural, academic and economic ties, as well as military cooperation, remains strong and allows us to expect even more in the future. We will be able to see this firsthand tomorrow at the Lithuania-Denmark business forum and during meetings with Lithuanian creators and defenders.

Our countries, united by the Baltic Sea in the flow of history, today stand on an even firmer foundation - shared values and interests. By demonstrating respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states as the basis of international relations, we strengthen regional security. And by trusting one another more, joining forces and working together, we will withstand any storm.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I invite you all to raise your glasses to His Majesty King Frederik X of Denmark and Her Majesty Queen Mary. May our countries continue to be united by strong bonds of friendship and may the people of Lithuania and Denmark prosper in peace and harmony for generations to come.

Gitanas Nausėda, President of the Republic of Lithuania
Last updated 2026.01.28 17:24

Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentas published this content on January 28, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 28, 2026 at 19:05 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]