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"Welcome to the family, Croatia, you have been much awaited!", - said Mrs. Rita Kazragiene, Deputy Permanent Representative of Lithuania, at the concert by the young Croatian pianist Javor Bračić and the reception to mark the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union, hosted on July 1 by the Permanent Missions of Lithuania, Croatia and the European Union Delegation to the United Nations. H.E. ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting, Head of EU Delegation, and H.E. ambassador Ranko Vilović, Permanent Representative of Croatia, also delivered statements.

Welcome address

by Ms. Rita Kazragienė, Deputy Permanent Representative

of the Republic of Lithuania to the United Nations

1 July 2013, New York, The Bohemian National Hall

Excellencies, dear colleagues and friends,

It is a special honour and pleasure for Lithuania to be a part of the celebration on the occasion of the accession of Croatia to the European Union at the first day of the first ever Lithuanian Presidency of the European Union Council.

Indeed, we already share a lot – about the same size of the country and its population, about the same love for freedom and rocky road to independence, about the same mystical attitude and love for basketball, I believe, the same aspirations and determination to build open, credible, growing Europe, a trusted and respected member of the United Nations community.

So welcome to the family, Croatia, you have been much awaited!