The events of the early 1990s yet again intertwined the fates of Poles and Lithuanians in their long history, restoring freedom and sovereignty to both Nations and at the same time challenging us to build good neighbourly relations in a new reality after the collapse of the Soviet Union. A quarter of a century ago, Poles and Lithuanians were throwing off the yoke of communism together, and Poland’s Solidarity, as a pro-freedom and pro-democracy movement, inspired and encouraged other freedom movements, among them Lithuania’s Sajudis. We have accomplished a lot in the past 20 years, making excellent use of the gift of freedom. Today, Poland and Lithuania co-operate beyond the European Union and NATO. Cultural and military co-operation has been going on well. Poland and Lithuania, just as the entire Europe, are facing serious challenges, particularly visible in the current geo-political situation. Experiences of the past are a wealth of which we should avail ourselves for the benefit of our states and the entire Continent.

We also need to treasure centuries-old heritage of the two Nations. Poland and Lithuania should attach great importance to supporting representatives of the two minorities, who are loyal citizens of their state of residence, in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Treaty and international standards of human rights protection. The authors of the Treaty as early as 20 years ago intentionally devoted so much space to the rights of national minorities to freely preserve their national, cultural, language and religious identity.

Poland hopes that the 20th anniversary of signing the Treaty will not only become an occasion for reflecting on what we have been able to achieve in the past two decades, but will also be an impetus for taking concrete measures to deliver on all commitments made 20 years ago so that the Treaty’s future anniversaries will be marked by an atmosphere of sustained improvement in Polish–Lithuanian relations.

Marcin Wojciechowski

MFA Press Spokesman