News

As part of his working visit to Poland, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius had a meeting with Polish counterpart Donald Tusk. The Prime Ministers discussed relevant economic and energy issues as well as the bilateral cooperation.

"We would be the safest and happiest country, if our relations with other states would be on the level we enjoy with Lithuania", – said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the press conference.

Lithuanian Prime Algirdas Butkevičius welcomed the dynamic economic cooperation. According to the Prime Minister, the bilateral trade and investments are at record high. Cooperation in the energy sector was also among the items discussed in the meeting, as, according to the counterparts, it affects the overall energy security in the Baltic region.

"We are pleased with smoothly running LitPol Link project. We are happy to share our approach to the electricity and gas links",– said Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also noted the need of the LitPol Link project to avoid the energy isolation of individual Baltic states in the context of the European Union.

The Lithuanian Prime Minister also brought up the issue of Rail Baltica and Via Baltica coordination. According to the Lithuanian Prime Minister, both projects play an important role in connecting the Baltic states to the EU single market, and, apart from that, they have a positive impact on economic growth of both Poland as well as the Baltic states. The Polish Prime Minister expressed his appreciation of the Rail Baltica project by calling it a priority European- level project.

When talking about Lithuania's preparations for the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Prime Minister A. Butkevičius invited Polish Prime Minister to work together to have a successful EU Eastern Partnership in Vilnius in late November. Polish Prime Minister D. Tusk offered his support during the Presidency, considering Poland’s previous experience in that respect.

On issues of concern regarding ethnic minorities, the Lithuanian and Polish leaders agreed on the need to seek a compromise. "A working group has been set up, including representatives from the Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture, headed by Vice Minister of Culture Edvard Trusevič. This team has been requested to make proposals on minority issues to be submitted to the Strategic Committee of the Government in March", – said Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius.

According to the Lithuanian Prime Minister, all the issues irrespective of their nature – be it economy, energy or ethnic minorities – should be addressed on the basis of mutual understanding, respect and compromise.

Later today, the Prime Minister A. Butkevičius will have a meeting with Poland’s President Bronislaw Komorowski. The Lithuanian Prime Minister’s return to Vilnius is scheduled for late evening.

Office of the Prime Minister