Grybauskaite advisor - no major changes in relations with Poland

On May 24, Kestutis Budrys, the national security affairs advisor to Lithuanian president, Dalia Grybauskaite, said any major changes in bilateral relations with Poland are unlikely following the election victory of Andrzej Duda of May 24. 

Speaking on the Ziniu Radijas radio show, Budrys stressed bilateral relations between Lithuania and Poland are sufficiently active at present, and for Lithuania, Poland remains an important neighbour and ally. 

“We share a lot of common issues,” said Budrys. “First of all, we are speaking about regional security issues, and we have an extensive portfolio of defence cooperation. 

“We have already achieved a lot in this field, and we probably do not see any major changes coming in this area. 

“Our relations in this area are indeed rather intense and we cooperate very closely and daily on these issues

“The fact both Lithuania and Poland are NATO member states means we also have to cooperate in this context.” 

On May 24, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Linas Linkevicius, also said he does not expect bilateral relations between the two countries to improve. 

However, he added Lithuania is now ready for “constructive cooperation” with its Polish neighbour.

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