Speaker of the Seimas in Warsaw: ‘Lithuanian-Polish leadership can change the geopolitical future of the region’

Press release, 9 April 2024 

At her meeting with Szymon Hołownia, Marshal of the Sejm of Poland, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, underlined that the strategic partnership between the two countries went beyond bilateral relations and gained wider regional significance. As the 30th anniversary of the Lithuanian-Polish Treaty on Friendly Relations and Good Neighbourly Cooperation is drawing close, it is imperative that the commitment to common goals and further strengthening of strategic partnership be reaffirmed.

‘In the short and medium term, Lithuania and Poland may assume the role of future leaders in the region, especially bearing in mind that Poland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union next year, with Lithuania following its suit in 2027. It is therefore very important to set clear and ambitious targets now in order to take advantage of our successive presidencies and change the geopolitical trajectory of our region,’ said Ms Čmilytė-Nielsen in Warsaw.

According to the Speaker of the Seimas, support for Ukraine is currently a priority. ‘We must assist and work together to consolidate the principle that a just and sustainable peace in the region is possible only after Ukraine’s victory. And with its victory, its membership of the EU and NATO and the likely impact of these processes on Belarus, we can substantially change the geopolitical future of the region that is close to us. Active engagement at all levels, including that of the Speakers of Parliaments, in the format of the Lublin Triangle could serve this cause, too,’ she said.

The Speaker of the Seimas expressed her belief that the current geopolitical challenges clearly demonstrated the need to deepen the strategic partnership.

‘At the meeting, we discussed a qualitative leap in the development of the bilateral relations, particularly with reference to the development of transport and energy interconnections, acceleration of economic integration, and cooperation between businesses and people,’ Ms Čmilytė-Nielsen said.

She argued that it was important to maintain close relations in different areas, especially in that of transport. And not only because of the need to have speedier communication by train between the centres of the former Commonwealth of the Two Nations. ‘Today, transport links are essential in military and defence terms. In general, the issues of military compatibility and joint action are relevant to Lithuania and Poland in the face of Russia’s revanchist policy. It is in our interest to strengthen military cooperation with Poland. This was also one of the issues I discussed in my conversation with Mr Hołownia,’ said the Speaker of the Seimas at the press conference following the meeting.

The Speaker of the Seimas is also set to meet with Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Marshal of the Senate of Poland, and other representatives of the Polish authorities.    

Ilona Petrovė, Spokesperson for Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 209 6030, mob. +370 698 42071, e-mail: [email protected]