Riga - The presidents of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania urged their people Monday to remember the events of 20 years ago that helped lead to the collapse of Communism.

Toomas Hendrik Ilves of Estonia, Valdis Zatlers of Latvia and Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania released a joint statement calling on their citizens to take part in a Baltic unity run called "Heartbeats for the Baltics."

As the Baltic states are currently experiencing the deepest recessions in the European Union, all three presidents stressed the need to revive the spirit of the "Baltic Way," the name given to the human chain created on August 23, 1989, to call for the re- establishment of the three countries' independence.

Some 2 million people participated in the original event, forming a 600-kilometre unbroken chain from Tallinn, through Riga, to Vilnius.

The Heartbeats for the Baltics event will see thousands of runners following the same route in a 24-hour relay race starting in Vilnius on August 22.

Estonian President Ilves said: "Let's stay together in Estonia, and also with our friends in Latvia and Lithuania. I think that this run through three countries is a good idea which everyone should support."

President Zatlers of Latvia spoke of "a new Baltic Way" that would "confirm unity," while Lithuanian President Grybauskaite said it was "very important" to stand together.

"We can reduce the negative consequences of the recession, undertake greater responsibilities and be more courageous in dealing with the challenges of our age," Grybauskaite said.

Besides the Heartbeats for the Baltics run, several other activities are planned to mark the occasion. Motorcylists will be riding the route in a parallel event, with flying clubs participating in an airborne version. (dpa)