Address by H.M. the King, Pabradė (Lithuania), 26 October 2022
Mr President,
War is raging on European soil. The Ukrainian people awoke last February to machine gun and tank fire.
Men, women and children are enduring suffering that no one in Europe expected to witness so closely anymore.
Our democracies’ answer was not long in coming; support for Ukraine was resolute and firm. Our supranational institutions, each with their own tools and capabilities, have provided and are continuing to provide substantial assistance to the invaded country.
The European Union responded with one voice, stood together, decreed sanctions, and condemned the aggressor.
NATO reacted quickly, deploying troops and assets on its eastern flank. The strengthening of NATO's presence along its border with the Russian aggressor, from the Baltic States to Bulgaria, has now become a reality. The allies are demonstrating their solidarity, as well as their determination to maintain our freedoms, our democratic values, our prosperity.
This solidarity and this determination are reflected here before us today. And they are impressive. With the unanimous objective of deterrence and defence, our Alliance has deployed a multinational battle group where, under German leadership, Belgian, Czech, Luxembourg, Dutch and Norwegian troops train day and night.
Our state visit to Lithuania, a country that has itself experienced Russian expansionism throughout its history, gives me the opportunity to tell you how proud I am of what I see.
Proud to see the extent to which Western countries have united in the face of this act of brutality, the abuses, and the surge of indescribable violence.
Your presence here, as NATO soldiers, far from home, is a tangible sign that the solidarity of an alliance is measured in critical moments. I want to thank you for your efforts.
Whether in Romania, where I visited our troops in June; in Estonia, where our F-16 fighters are once again deployed to control NATO airspace; or here in Pabradė in the heart of Lithuania- Belgium is making a dependable and committed contribution to our collective effort.
My country always has been and always will be present alongside its allies. The future of our continent and the defence of our fundamental values are at stake. As we know, these values are based on cooperation, dialogue, respect and solidarity. Not on brute force, domination or repression!
Mr President,
The earthquake that has hit the whole of Europe continues to shake us.
Our economy and social model are under pressure, and the cost of living is making life difficult for millions of citizens.
Yet, it is together that we will get through this. It will not be easy.
Rethinking our relationship with energy consumption, reducing our dependence on unreliable supplier and customer countries, questioning models that we take for granted, going back to the essence of things, and putting people back at the centre of our concerns and actions – these are changes that will help us move towards better times.
I want to share my hope with you. Real hope.
Because the time is coming when this fighting will end, when we can rebuild a free and prosperous Ukraine. The wind is changing, the invader is losing ground. The road ahead is long, but the support of the West will not end with the last shot been fired.
Our democratic values will prevail.
Belgium is here, at your side, within the North Atlantic Alliance.
Thank you for your attention.