"Lithuania and Poland have not only long-lasting historical bonds, they also enjoy economic, energy and defence cooperation. With the changing geopolitical situation, Lithuania's and Poland's common position is important for ensuring regional security and making the European neighbourhood policy a success," the President said.
She noted that the efforts of both countries are significant for the successful Eastern Partnership policy. It is therefore crucial to be united in supporting European integration of Eastern partners who currently face political pressure and economic restraints.
Dalia Grybauskaitė underlined the importance of the recent NATO collective defence exercise for regional security. Last week, the Baltic States and Poland hosted the NATO Response Force Exercise Steadfast Jazz during which the Alliance tested in practice various scenarios of defending Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland against aggression. It has been NATO's largest collective defence exercise since 2006.
According to the President, Lithuania and Poland need to implement power and gas interconnections projects that are critical to EU-wide and regional security. The list of the EU Projects of Common Interest comprises 3 joint projects by Lithuania and Poland - interconnection between Lithuanian and Polish gas pipelines, power link LitPolLink 1, and synchronizing the Baltic energy systems with the European Continental Network (LitPolLink2). The projects will receive funding under the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020.
