Press Release, April 27

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – EANC CONGRATULATES THE JOINT BALTIC AMERICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON ITS 60^TH ANNIVERSARY

The Estonian American National Council applauds JBANC on its 60^th anniversary. Since its founding on April 27^th, 1961, JBANC has been a vital advocate for the freedom, independence and security of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and an established effective example of Baltic cooperation and democracy here in the United States. Based in Washington, DC, JBANC has represented our interests to the U.S. Congress and Administration through twelve American presidencies.

Major milestones over the last sixty years include JBANC’s garnering U.S. support for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania breaking free from illegal annexation upon the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.  JBANC also played a major role in convincing then-President George W. Bush that the three nations had earned membership in NATO in 2004.

We shouldn’t take for granted the important work put forth by JBANC and the Baltic communities in the U.S. on behalf of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. When the nations were captives of the Soviet Union, JBANC forged a united voice in demanding freedom for our peoples who were being muffled behind the Iron Curtain. And when the countries broke free, JBANC engaged tirelessly to help ensure American support for their independence. Today, it is reassuring to note that JBANC’s resolve and commitment continues, as does its advocacy for continued and strong U.S. engagement with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, in the forms of military, civilian, and economic cooperation.

On behalf of the Estonian-American community, EANC thanks and salutes the Joint Baltic American National Committee, its team and volunteers, as they continue to provide an invaluable source of advocacy for the region.   

EANC is proud to be a parent organization of JBANC, along with the American Latvian Association and the Lithuanian American Council.  We look forward to many more years of cooperation with our Baltic friends and colleagues, and even further progress toward ensuring the security of the Baltic nations.

Please contact EANC’s Washington, DC Director Karin Shuey with questions or for further discussion on this and related topics at karinshueyeanc@gmail.com.

To learn more about JBANC visit www.jbanc.org

Click here to view the video recording of the April 28th online discussion “The US – Baltic Relationship: Parliamentary Perspectives,” the first in a series of three online forums hosted by the Joint Baltic American National Committee to mark its 60th anniversary. Speakers include top foreign affairs experts and parliamentarians from the three Baltic nations.