PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 27 AUGUST 1991
The Government has decided today to establish full
diplomatic relations with the Baltic States of Estonia,
Latvia and Lithuania.
Australia is proud to be among the first nations to take
this step.
This fulfils the long-held dream of the many Baltic people
who have made their homes in Australia, and who have made
such a magnificent contribution to our national life in many
fields.
Australia did not recognise the incorporation of the Baltic
States into the Soviet Union in 1940, but we had until today
accepted the reality of Soviet de facto control over their
affairs. Now, with the events of the past week, the Baltic States
have regained effective control over their own affairs for
the first time since 1940. In our judgment, each of the
Baltic States has now established sufficient control over
its own defined territory, and is sufficiently well placed
to enter into diplomatic relations with other States, to
satisfy the internationally accepted criteria for
independent statehood.
We look forward to building closer relations and stronger
cooperation with the Baltic States. The Australian
Government will seek to accredit our Ambassador in
Copenhagen to Lithuania and Latvia, and our Ambassador in
Stockholm to Estonia. We will move immediately to discuss
the necessary practical arrangements with the Baltic
Governments. 981 I-
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