The resurgence of national identities
The resurgence of national identities
Cartoon by Opland on the Baltic States (27 October 1988)
ImageIn October 1988, Opland, Dutch cartoonist, depicts the first signs of political protest shown by the three Baltic States — Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — against Moscow.
Demonstration in favour of greater independence for Estonia in the Soviet Union (Tallinn, 16 November 1988)
ImageOn 16 November 1988, the Estonian people take to the streets of Tallinn to call for greater independence for Estonia in the Soviet Union.
"Gorbatschow macht es leichter" in Der Spiegel (11. September 1989)
TextAm 11. Septembrer 1989, in einem Interview mit dem Nachrichtenmagazin Der Spiegel analysiert der finnische Präsident Mauno Koivisto die Beziehungen zwischen den baltischen Staaten und der Europäischen Gemeinschaft.
Letter from Jacques F. Poos to Edward Shevardnadze (Luxembourg, 13 January 1991)
TextOn 13 January 1991, Jacques F. Poos, Luxembourg Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities, writes a letter to Edward Shevardnadze, Foreign Minister of the USSR, in which he condemns the Soviet attack at the Lithuanian television station in Vilnius.
Declaration by the Twelve on the Baltic States (Brussels, 14 January 1991)
TextOn 14 January 1991, at an extraordinary meeting of Ministers in Brussels on European Political Cooperation (EPC), the Twelve adopt a joint declaration in which they condemn the Soviet military intervention in Lithuania.
‘Coup de grâce for perestroika’ from Le Monde (15 January 1991)
TextOn 15 January 1991, commenting on the Soviet military intervention in Lithuania, the French daily newspaper Le Monde analyses the limits of the Soviet Union’s policy of openness.
Demonstration for the independence of the Baltic States (Stockholm, 18 March 1991)
ImageOn 18 March 1991, the Swedish people take to the streets in Stockholm in support of the independence of the three Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania).
Vytautas Landsbergis (Strasbourg, 9 July 1990)
ImageBorn in 1932 in Kaunas, Vytautas Landsbergis, former opponent of the Soviet Communist regime in Lithuania and founder of Sajudis, the pro-independence movement, was President of Lithuania from 1990 to 1992 and Chairman of the Lithuanian Parliament from 1992 to 1996. He has been a Member of the European Parliament since 2004.
Vytautas Landsbergis and Enrique Barón Crespo (Strasbourg, 9 July 1991)
ImageOn 9 July 1991, during his meeting with Vytautas Landsbergis, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania, Enrique Barón Crespo, President of the European Parliament, guarantees European Community support for Lithuania’s ambition for independence.
‘The EEC has decided to recognise the Baltic States’ from Le Monde (29 August 1991)
TextOn 29 August 1991, the French daily newspaper Le Monde comments on the decision taken by the Twelve to establish diplomatic relations with the Baltic States and to support their rapid integration into international organisations.