It was the first trip of Maria Koc as a Deputy Senate Marshal. She said, that it is extremely important to her, as this way she can meet her compatriots in the Vilnius Region.
'Here in the Senate we perfectly understand how the situation of Poles in Lithuania. We are extremely grateful for you for fostering Polishness, the Polish language, taking care for Polish school and for being active,' told the Deputy Senate Marshal and ensured that there will be more visits of Polish government representatives to the Vilnius Region in the future. Maria Koc stated, that new Polish government is ready to support the actions of the Polish community aimed at the solution of Poles' problems.
Valdemar Tomaševski, leader of the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania (EAPL), Member of the European Parliament stressed that Poles make up the majority of residents in 40 communes of the Vilnius Region. He also listed the main problems of the Polish minority and said, that Poles in Lithuania achieve successes in various fields despite the harsh conditions they have. EAPL has its own 8-member parliamentary club in the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the ruling majority in the governments of the Vilnius and Šalčininkai districts, and also 10-member faction in the Vilnius city council.
'We try to invite also other national minorities to cooperate with us, but Poles are the leaders of this minority movement,' said Tomaševski. He also added that EAPL is not only a national party, but a regional one and it wants to represent the whole region.
V. Tomaševski pointed out, that the stronger the position of Poles is, the greater are the efforts to counteract their successes. Nevertheless, as he said, so far the Poles in Lithuania managed to set a good example for Poles living in other countries outside Polish borders.
The issue of Polish education in Lithuania was also discussed during the meeting. 'I believe that with the support of Poland we will be able to solve the problems. We are grateful for your help in the defence of Polish schools,' said the EAPL leader.
Referring to the idea of restoring the full care, including the financial one, for the Poles abroad and Polonia for the Senate of the Republic of Poland, Tomaševski said: 'The Senate always cared for the Poles in Lithuania; may the pre-war tradition of Senate caring for the Poles abroad and Polonia be continued.'
'It is a great success,' Deputy Senate Marshal Maria Koc described the achievements of the Polish minority. 'Poles in Lithuania and also Poles in Poland should be proud because Polish community in Lithuania has such wonderful leaders,' said Koc. She also declared that contacts, visits and cooperation of Poland with the Poles in Lithuania will be strengthened.
http://l24.lt/en/politics/item/104423-deputy-senate-marshal-maria-koc-visited-the-municipality-of-the-vilnius-district#sigProGalleriafe00bc513f
