Today's Date:

President Vike-Freiberga,

Thank you for your letter concerning the commemorations of the sixtieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

As you point out, it is our common duty to commemorate 9 May 1945, a crucial moment in the history of mankind and of our European continent, which marks the dearly won victory over Nazism, and the Russian people’s invaluable contribution to it.

It is in this spirit that I shall be taking part in the 9 May celebrations and it seems desirable to me for all the European nations invited to be present in Moscow. Consequently, I welcome your decision to take part in this commemoration, which is a strong, forward-looking gesture.

France is conscious of the tragic and complex nature of past relations between the USSR and the Baltic nations and understands the importance her partners attach to ensuring that no dimension of the history of the Second World War is ignored. A task of remembrance must be carried out everywhere and for everyone, in order to put the disputes inherited from the past behind us and build the future. As you know, France herself has maintained a constant position of non-recognition of the Soviet Union's annexation of the Baltic States: for this reason, during his State Visit to the USSR in 1966, General de Gaulle refused to go to Riga.

For our two countries, I am convinced, the future lies in increasingly close cooperation within the European Union and it is in our common interest to develop a strong, stable, balanced and trusting strategic relationship with Russia. The aim is, as you stress, both to carry out a task of remembrance and re-establish, immediately, the necessary ties of understanding, dialogue and cooperation between two neighbouring countries which must conduct and deepen a process of reconciliation.

You may rest assured President Vike-Freiberga, that in France you will find a reliable partner mindful of your concerns and keen to develop relations with Russia which are as solid and productive as they are balanced and trusting.

I look forward to continuing this dialogue during your official visit to France next November, which will attest the high quality of the relations between our two countries.

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