Lithuania ready for constructive cooperation with Poland

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Linas Linkevicius, has said Lithuania is ready for constructive cooperation with Poland, following the election of new Polish president, Andrzej Duda, on May 24.

Lithuania and Poland share a border and are strategic partners. Linkevicius feels both countries also share numerous common interests and challenges. 

Linkevicius outlined because Lithuania and Poland are both NATO member states, Vilnius and Warsaw are coordinating their security interests.

Both countries are also related through specific energy projects concerning the construction of electricity and gas supply links.

“If there are any differences,” said Linkevicius, “then they are definitely overshadowed by the importance of common challenges and goals. 

“In all senses, I believe our cooperation will be based on pragmatism.”

Linkevicius believes Duda’s election win will not bring any essential changes in bilateral relations of Lithuania and Poland.

However, Lithuanian MP and head of the Seimas’ Committee on Foreign Affairs, Benediktas Juodka, believes relations between Lithuania and Poland will improve in general. 

“I can see our relations already improving,” said Juodka. “This week, the Seimas in Vilnius will host the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Seimas of Lithuania and Senate of Poland. 

“I believe that our relations with this very important neighbour, our very important strategic partner will get better and better and the election of a new Polish president will not change this trend. 

“We congratulate the president-elect and wish for us to get along better than before.”

Duda’s victory marks the Prawo i Sprawiedliwosc (Law and Justice) party’s first election win since 2005.