By Audronius Ažubalis, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs

“I strongly condemn any attacks, aimed to set the Lithuanian society at variance on ethnic, racial or other grounds. I assess such actions when we are commemorating the Holocaust Remembrance Day as a provocation. This is an audacious challenge not only to the ones who experienced this tragedy, the Jewish community of Lithuania and Litvaks that are scattered all around the world, but also to every decent member of our society.

I believe in the maturity of the Lithuanian society and the State of Lithuania, and of our law enforcement institutions. The instigators of ethnic hatred must be found as soon as possible and punished according to the Law of the Republic of Lithuania. The Government of Lithuania will make continued effort to perpetuate the memory of the Holocaust victims and to raise public tolerance through education.

Racist attacks of the society’s radical groups are hurting the international authority of our State and society. Therefore, I urge the law enforcement institutions to take more vigorous and better coordinated action and fight against them. Also each one of us can contribute to that by disapproving of and speaking up against any actions or statements that are aimed to set the Lithuanian society at variance.”