News

2014-04-02 Today in Brussels Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius has met with Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk. Heads of Government have discussed security situation in the region, exchanged their opinions on the current energy projects and the common European energy market that is being created, and talked over the business and economy trends, especially in the context of the crisis in Ukraine.

“I am delighted at the opportunity to discuss a number of matters of mutual importance. Our meeting is not just an odd meeting, but it is highly symbolical: in a month’s time we are going to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Lithuania’s and Poland’s membership of the European Union. We have to discuss many things, and most importantly, national strategic interests in the rapidly changing world. The crisis in Ukraine is yet another proof of the fragility of peace and stability in Europe”, said Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius.

Heads of the Lithuanian and Polish governments discussed energy projects of mutual importance and talked over cooperation in the development of the Lithuanian-Polish gas interconnector project. While speaking on energy links between the neighbouring countries, Prime Minister Butkevičius stressed that active support from Poland is necessary for Lithuania seeking to secure the EU’s financial assistance for the LitPol Link project that is currently underway.

The Lithuanian Prime Minister also said in the meeting that Poland’s progress in the field of shale gas extraction was impressive, and that Lithuania was interested in its neighbour’s experience in dealing with the legislative framework and consolidating the public for the responsible use of national resources.

The meeting also discussed the situation in Ukraine. Prime Ministers of both states agreed that it was highly important to strengthen cooperation at various levels in the context of threats. “Lithuania and Poland have excellent mutual understanding and cooperation in the field of defence, and ministers of defence, in their recent meeting, have coordinated specific measures to strengthen national defence capacities, such as anti-aircraft defence, acquisition of technology and munitions, and training”, said Prime Minister Butkevičius.

Prime Minister Tusk, in his turn, said that Poland decided to increase the air police contingent that is air policing the Baltic States.

The Lithuanian Prime Minister assured the Polish Prime Minister that the situation of the Lithuanian Poles should not raise any concerns, and that the Government sought prosperity of all the ethnic minorities living in Lithuania. Butkevičius stressed that the Lithuanian Government continued to consistently pursue the provisions related with improvement of situation of ethnic minorities in Lithuania, as laid down in the Programme of the Government. It is expected that the new law on ethnic minorities, which is currently discussed by the Government authorities, will help find agreement among all the interested public groups.

Prime Minister Butkevičius has also invited Prime Minister of Poland Tusk to visit Vilnius at his convenience, and the Polish Prime Minister has accepted the invitation.