Consultative Committee of the Presidents of Lithuania and Poland underlined President Adamkus’ special role in developing bilateral relations
Monday, June 22, Vilnius - President Valdas Adamkus received members of the Consultative Committee of the Presidents of the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Poland, who had gathered in Vilnius for their 18th meeting.
The Consultative Committee evaluated its activities of the last decade, discussed the status of the Lithuanian-Polish cooperation in the five years, the strategic partnership between the two countries and their contribution to the development of the EU Eastern Neighborhood Policy. Opinions were exchanged about the role of Lithuania and Poland in promoting relations within transatlantic space. The Consultative Committee of the Presidents of the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Poland, which has the main objective of analyzing bilateral cooperation in different areas and presenting proposals to their respective presidents on the development of relations, was set up in 1997.During their meeting with President Adamkus, members of the Consultative Committee focused on energy security and the interconnection of transport and energy infrastructures. Favorable assessment was voiced concerning cultural and youth contacts and high satisfaction was expressed in relation to the growing trade turnover between Lithuania and Poland and their bilateral investments.
Co-Chairman of the Committee Mariusz Handzlik underlined the exceptional role of President Valdas Adamkus in expanding and deepening cooperation ties between the two countries during his years of presidency.
President Adamkus said he believed that the bilateral strategic partnership would extend into the Euro-Atlantic space.
At the end of the meeting, the two Co-chairmen of the Committee, Adviser to the Lithuanian President Valteris Baliukonis and Undersecretary of State in the Chancellery of the Polish President Mariusz Handzlik, signed a joint communiqué.
Joint Communique of the Consultative Committee of the Presidents of the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Poland
The Consultative Committee of the Presidents of the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Poland (further referred as The Committee) at its 18th meeting, held in Vilnius on 21-22 June 2009, evaluated its activities of the last decade and discussed the status of the Lithuanian-Polish cooperation, European and international issues as well as guidelines for the future relations between Lithuania and Poland.
The Committee notes that the President Valdas Adamkus and the President of Poland Lech Kaczynski have made a significant contribution to the strategic partnership between Lithuania and Poland. Excellent cooperation between two Presidents has proved its effectiveness in defending common interests and shared values of the two countries and the entire region within the European Union and other international structures.
The Committee expresses its gratitude to the President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus for his outstanding Presidency. The Committee firmly believes that the strategic partnership between two countries will further develop and strengthen under incoming President of Lithuania. The Committee is convinced that Lithuania and Poland should deepen their partnership based on common history, shared values and common European and Transatlantic vision.
The Committee underlines importance of foreign policy coordination between Lithuania and Poland with special emphasis on the European Union and international security issues. Forthcoming Presidencies of the European Union by Poland in 2011 and Lithuania in 2013 and Lithuanian Chairmanship in OSCE in 2011 provide a good opportunity to work closely together in shaping common agendas for the Presidencies.
The Committee notes that Lithuanian and Polish cooperation in the field of international security is instrumental for the stability and security in the region and Europe. Strong role of NATO and effective transatlantic link is a basis of the contemporary security architecture and should be further strengthened.
The Committee underlines the need of pursuing an effective EU and NATO policy towards the Eastern neighbours. In this context the Committee welcomes the EU Eastern Partnership initiative and hopes for its successful implementation during the Swedish Presidency of the EU. The Committee reaffirms importance of continuing close Lithuanian and Polish cooperation on the Eastern policy issues including implementation of joint development assistance projects aimed at promotion of democracy, strengthening civil society and implementation of administrative reforms.
With the view of speeding up European integration processes in the Eastern neighbourhood, the Committee hopes for signing of EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and start of negotiations on similar agreements with Georgia and Moldova in the nearest future. The Committee also emphasizes importance of ensuring smooth and efficient functioning of NATO-Georgia and NATO-Ukraine commissions with the aim of eventual membership of these countries in the Alliance. The Committee also recognizes a need to initiate facilitated visa regime with Belarus as well as with Kaliningrad District of the Russian Federation as a strong EU interest.
The Committee is convinced that Lithuania and Poland should deepen their partnership based on common history, shared values and common European and Transatlantic vision.
The Committee also notes that, taking into account the European experience, the situation of the Lithuanians in Poland and the Poles in Lithuania considered as good.
Bilateral and regional energy and transport infrastructure projects are among key elements for the success of the Lithuanian-Polish partnership. The Committee encourages the Governments of Lithuania and Poland to speed up necessary actions for implementation these vitally important projects to increase energy security of the region and full integration of both countries into European networks. Interconnection of Lithuanian-Polish energy resources transmission systems and creation of alternative routes of gas supply remains one of the principal tasks for the future cooperation.
The Committee concludes that progress in developing transport connections between two countries, is still unsatisfactory and time of journey between Vilnius and Warsaw is far behind modern European standards. There is a serious need to speed up implementation of Rail Baltica and Via Baltica projects.
The Committee acknowledged celebrations of 440th anniversary of Lublin Union and Millennium of the name of Lithuania and stressed important role of common historic heritage in building confidence among societies of the two countries, particularly for younger generations. There is a clear need for a continuing dialogue and open discussion on the future of Lithuanian-Polish relations both on the political level and between non-governmental structures and individuals. The Committee believes that differences in interpretation of common history facts should be a subject to academic research instead of the political debate between the two countries.
Done in Vilnius, on the 22th of June of the year 2009.
Valteris Baliukonis
Co-Chairman of the Committee
Adviser to the President the of the Republic of Lithuania
Mariusz Handzlik
Co-Chairman of the Committee
Undersecretary of State in the Chancellery of the President
Press Service of the President
