"Many could think that the main objective has been reached, namely that we now have a state of our own. Looking back to the years after the Supreme Council vote, it should be rather said it was merely a new beginning and a new chance for us, together, to create a new Latvia," he said in an announcement that appeared on the official presidential website.
"The country will never be complete. We have the chance to work studiously for Latvia each day, to make our dreams here a reality and shape the ideal Latvia, one to be proud of," he said.
"Having an independent country of one's own is not to be taken for granted. We should be ready to stand for our Latvia and our values, namely democracy, rule of the law and human rights...only we ourselves can shape a strong Latvia," he said.
On August 21, 1991, the Latvian Supreme Council passed a constitutional bill on the status of the Republic of Latvia, restoring Latvia's de facto independence from the disintegrating Soviet Union.
