During the meeting, the ministers reiterated the two countries’ close cooperation on security issues, including the situation beyond Polish and Lithuanian eastern borders. The head of Polish diplomacy stressed the importance of Poland’s and Lithuania’s firm position on the developments in Belarus and Russia. He also recalled the need to maintain close cooperation with the Eastern Partnership countries.

Minister Rau also referred to the very good military cooperation between the two countries under, among others, the Declaration on Strengthening the Lithuanian – Polish Security Partnership signed by the presidents of Poland and Lithuania in Warsaw on 21 February 2019. The top Polish diplomat underlined Poland’s contribution to ensuring the security of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia through the successful Baltic Air Policing mission manned partially by Polish soldiers. Minister Rau also appreciated Lithuania’s engagement in the work of the Bucharest Nine (B9), an important format within NATO. The chief of Polish foreign ministry also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation under the Three Seas Initiative – the format which can be fundamental in the modernization of the energy and infrastructure sectors in our region.

Discussed was also the situation of national minorities on both sides of the border. Minister Rau recalled the necessity to solve the problems of Polish minority in Lithuania (regarding Polish schooling, among others), and to regulate the protection of national minorities’ rights in the form of a law.

 

MFA Press Office

 

Photos: Tymon Markowski / MFA