It was welcomed that the meeting was taking place on a special historical occasion – commemoration of the 610th anniversary of the Battle of Grunwald, and it was noted that bilateral relations between Lithuania and Poland were the best over the last decade.
‘The strategic partnership between Lithuania and Poland is the most important guarantee that the Baltic states will never remain an island separated from the European community of nations. The Lithuanian Seimas has declared 2021 as the Year of 3 May Constitution and Mutual Pledge. We will seek to use this anniversary to strengthen our neighbourly relations with Poland,’ said Saulius Skvernelis.
Skvernelis noted that Poland and Lithuania ensured an important energy and transport connection between continental Europe and Northern Europe. He welcomed the fact that all projects of strategic importance – electricity, gas, as well as road and rail connections – were moving forward and should be implemented on time. There is a lot of potential for cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, and the benefits of the cooperation become even more relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Negotiations on the new Multiannual Financial Framework of the European Union and the Economic Recovery Plan will resume in a few days’ time. Lithuania and Poland will seek important decisions for the countries and the region on support for economic recovery and allocation of necessary funds for cohesion and agriculture.
It was regretted that the European Parliament did not listen to the votes of nine countries, including Lithuania and Poland, to oppose the EU Mobility Package. Some of its provisions run counter to the principles of the EU’s internal market. It has been agreed with the Polish Prime Minister to jointly defend the interests of national carriers by legal means and, if necessary, to refer to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
It was emphasized that the visit was unusual and took place in unusual circumstances, as the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic were still being tackled. The governments of Lithuania, Poland, and the Baltic states will do their utmost to ensure an appropriate response to a possible new wave of the virus.