The consultations chaired by Prime Ministers Mateusz Morawiecki and Saulios Skvernelis brought together the ministers of culture, state assets, development, education, infrastructure, science and higher education, climate, national defence, the interior and administration, and health. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was represented by Deputy Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk.

 - When you look at Polish foreign policy and our relations with European partners, you would hardly find a country with which Poland would pursue a more thriving and multidimensional cooperation. It is also a starting point for a close international cooperation: within the EU and NATO, and for launching active regional initiatives like the Bucharest Nine, the Three Seas, and the Lublin Triangle, -  Deputy Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk pointed out during the bilateral consultations. He underlined that security policy, cooperation within the EU, including common actions for its eastern neighbourhood, remain the pillars of our relations with Lithuania. Taking note of the meaningful support provided by our countries to Belarusian society and the victims of repressions there, the deputy minister declared that Warsaw and Vilnius will continue their cooperation in this respect.   - It is of fundamental importance today that Belarus is given unambiguous backing which involves a concrete offer of economic aid and assistance to those repressed by the regime but also a common expectation of democratic reforms to be implemented, -  stressed the deputy chief of Polish diplomacy.

While discussing the current EU agenda, Deputy Minister Szynkowski vel Sęk proposed that we must not allow our European partners to wave aside the attempted assassination of Alexei Navalny.  - We should draw conclusions both from this incident and from the earlier sequence of events in shaping our political, economic, and energy cooperation with Russia. Such cooperation, with a country that permanently violates international standards and law, particularly through implementation of joint projects which undermine solidarity and security in Europe, such as Nord Stream 2, cannot be accepted, -  said the deputy minister during the meeting.

The talks also focused on cultural cooperation and organisation of joint celebrations of anniversaries that are important to both nations. “It is the Polish-Lithuanian shared historical experiences, and territorial and interpersonal proximity, thanks to which we can speak with one voice in the European Union, NATO, and other international structures,” summed up the deputy chief of Polish diplomacy.

The culminating point of the bilateral consultations was the signing by Prime Ministers Mateusz Morawiecki and Saulius Skvernelis of a declaration on strategic partnership of both countries and on the situation in Belarus. The document underlines the comprehensive cooperation between Poland and Lithuania, based on understanding and dialogue. The declaration covers several fields of collaboration, most importantly joint infrastructure and energy projects, protection of national minorities and youth, security issues and the regional partnership between our countries.

During the meeting, documents of great importance for Poland were adopted, including, among other things, a Schedule for Implementing the Declaration on education of the Polish minority in the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian minority in the Republic of Poland signed on 20 November 2019 in Warsaw, a Joint Venture agreement, a Partners’ Agreement on intermodal train services between LTG Cargo Polska sp. z.o.o., AB LTG Cargo and PKP Cargo S. A., a Letter of Intent between UAB LTG Link and PKP Intercity S. A. on launching a train connection on the route Vilnius - Kaunas - Bialystok - Warsaw.

While in Vilnius, Prime Minister Morawiecki also met with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda. The head of Polish government and the Prime Minister of Lithuania laid a wreath at Rasos Cemetery. Additionally, Prime Minister Morawiecki took part in a celebration on the first anniversary of launching TVP Vilnius, signing a Letter of Intent on expanding the premises of the Polish Cultural Centre in Vilnius and establishing a studio for TVP Vilnius. The MFA is also a party to this agreement.

The intergovernmental consultations highlighted the significance of the Polish-Lithuanian strategic partnership. The meeting referred to the activity of the Cooperation Council between the Governments of Poland and Lithuania established in 1997. The Council convened for the last time on 1 June 2007 in Plock.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
Press Office

Photo / MFA