I ran for president because I wanted to help Lithuania and its people during a difficult time. My country was on the very edge of an economic crisis, and people were disappointed by the economic situation and the political elite. We all needed change and motivation to consolidate our efforts in order to overcome the difficulties.

If women decide that their mission, their political career, balances out what they have to give up, they can be and are equally successful as men.

I believe that the world has become more democratic and open. Women have become more outspoken, more active and competitive. They have achieved great accomplishments in many fields that were previously dominated by men.

Any work you do, do it the best you can and achieve the maximum result.

I am a person of action. If I see I can bring a positive change, I will go for it, never mind that something might be hard to achieve.

If there were more women heads of state in the world, the world would be more peaceful and better focused on the improvement of the overall quality of life and welfare.

I don't subscribe to that school of thought that leadership can be altogether defined by gender.