Lithuanian president will have excellent relations with new Polish leader - advisor

VILNIUS - Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda will establish "the best possible relationship" with the next Polish president, whoever is elected, his chief foreign policy advisor says.

"I can assure you that President Nauseda will definitely establish the best possible relationship with the future Polish president, and very soon, as soon as the latter is elected," Asta Skaisgiryte told the Ziniu Radijas news radio on Tuesday.

Karol Nawrocki, an independent candidate backed by Law and Justice party (PiS), and Rafal Trzaskowski, a candidate supported by the Civic Coalition, are seen as the strongest contenders to win the mid-May election in Poland.

Skaisgiryte refrained to comment on whether Lithuanian officials have any links with these candidates, arguing that such comments would be unethical in the election context.

In his book published earlier this year, President Nauseda writes that outgoing Polish President Andrzej Duda is one of his closest associates.

The two presidents are set to meet during the planned military exercises in the Suwalki Corridor before Duda's term ends, Skaisgiryte said.

However, she said, Nauseda often meets with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk when they attend European Council meetings.

"Poland is such an important ally for us that we need to have the best possible cooperation at all levels," Skaisgiryte underlined. "The closer we cooperate with Poland, the more we and the Poles will benefit."

Poland's presidential election will take place on May 18.