VILNIUS - Polish President Lech Kaczynski made his first official visit to Vilnius on March 14, urging Lithuania and Poland to stand together in tackling issues of utmost importance to the countries on the scale of the European Union.
"When there is a common need to seek a compromise, I think Poland and Lithuania should stand at the same side within the framework of this compromise. We should successfully participate in the European game. We can solve many problems by pooling our efforts," the Polish president said in his speech at Parliament.
Kaczynski stressed that in most cases, united countries defending their positions - even if they are small and less influential - could win the "European game."
"In a game where the interests of the strongest party are the most important, the weaker ones can often achieve victories," the Polish leader said.
President Valdas Adamkus and Kaczynski declared their aim to continue bilateral cooperation. "I can firmly say that, as far as Lithuanian-Polish relations and their future attitude toward Europe are concerned, our countries' role will coincide. We will continue our cooperation on very strong grounds, which have existed for years," Adamkus told a press conference.
"There is a special atmosphere here, in Vilnius, and I think this does not surprise anybody," Kaczynski said. He told journalists that he intended to discuss energy projects topical to both countries 's a power bridge, the construction of a third block of nuclear power plant, participation of Polish company Orlen in the purchase of Mazeikiu Nafta 's with Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas.
According to the press release, Adamkus invited Poland to join the three Baltic states determined to build a new nuclear power plant (See story on Page 7). "Energy independence is a guarantee of our political independence," the president said.
Expressing approval of Adamkus' idea, Kaczynski stressed that the problem was one of the most important ones in bilateral relations. "Having solved it, we can talk about the construction of a new nuclear power plant block," the Polish president said.
Regarding reports of Poland's tepid enthusiasm for the Via Baltica highway and Rail Baltica railway projects, the Polish president said there were no political reasons for initiating either project, indicating that funds were the most important motivation.
