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Just later when you start serving, do you take the responsibility and perceive how deep, meaningful and binding this oath is. The only thing which I’d like to say, especially, to the young generation, is that when you swear to the Constitution, you have to respect it, fight for the free man and his natural rights, and it will completely eliminate your private life. Since the moment you take that duty, you refuse your personal goals. Your aim from now on is to give your state and its people everything that you have with the best of your personality and your environment.

— Valdas Adamkus

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More quotes by Valdas Adamkus

Today we do not want the security and stability in Europe to be based on self-reliance and defensive barriers.

Address at the NATO Council (1998)

My country knows from her own experience how powerful and instrumental solidarity can be.

Speech at the United Nations General Assembly (2002)

In the past, heads of state designed the security maps of Europe and of the world as they saw it fit. This practise of the past should never repeat itself.

Address at the NATO Council (1998)

Therefore, we need the ability to engage with each other, and a strategic and value-based approach to our future.

Speech on regional leadership (2017)

I was among those who could take advantage of the possibilities offered by free society, and also share its responsibilities.

Address at the NATO Council (1998)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Valdas Adamkus (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.