Vilnius, Lithuania are unimaginable without strong Polish community – PM

VILNIUS - Vilnius and Lithuania are unimaginable without a strong Polish community, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said on Tuesday, attending the opening of a new extension to the House of Polish Culture in Vilnius with visiting Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

"I am delighted that the House of Polish Culture in Vilnius gives the Polish community the opportunity to promote its culture outside Poland. Vilnius and Lithuania are unimaginable without a strong Polish community and its vibrant cultural life," the Lithuanian prime minister was quoted in the government's statement.

"Lithuania is a strong and beautiful country in its tradition of multiculturalism because being different we enrich each other. I sincerely appreciate the Polish community's activity and involvement in the life of the state, citizenship, solidarity, contribution to the independence of our country, to the creation of a modern country," Simonyte added.

She also congratulated the audience on the Constitution Day of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth on May 3.

The Lithuanian and Polish peoples have been united for centuries by their quest for freedom and the clear understanding that strength is in our unity, the Lithuanian prime minister said, adding that probably for this reason Vilnius and Warsaw are among the most active supporters of Ukraine as it's defending against Russian aggression.