Lithuania and Poland are close neighbors and partners. We have shared interests in defense, transatlantic relations and energy security. We share the same position on Brexit and the new EU financial framework; therefore, we consistently work together to enhance the security and welfare of our countries and the region.
The meeting also focused on strengthening regional security. Lithuania firmly supports Polish efforts to ensure a continuous rotation of US troops and military equipment since a greater presence of the US forces in the region is our shared security objective. Both countries are also strongly interested in rapid arrival of NATO’s military support to the region, reinforced defense of the Suwalki corridor and regional air defense. To this end they seek a faster implementation of the decisions made at the NATO summit.
Lithuania and Poland share similar views about the threats posed by the Ostrovets nuclear power plant and the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. That is why the two countries cooperate closely in synchronization and gas interconnection (GIPL) projects which will contribute to both regional and EU energy security. Together with the prime ministers of Poland, Latvia and Estonia and the President of the European Commission, Dalia Grybauskaitė signed a political agreement this past June. The agreement kick-started the synchronization of the Baltic power grid with that of the continental Europe. It is important to begin the implementation of the synchronization-via-Poland scenario as soon as possible without postponing the procedures needed to secure EU funding. Continuous political support for the project demonstrated by Poland is highly significant for that matter.
Lithuania and Poland are close partners in the EU. Both countries expect that the new EU financial framework will accelerate the region's development, ensure equal conditions for all EU farmers, and help implement strategic interconnection projects. Lithuania and Poland will seek appropriate funding for the cohesion policy. The two countries stand in the same line on Brexit. Both Lithuania and Poland want to protect the rights of their citizens living in the United Kingdom and to have the UK as a close security and trade partner of the EU after Brexit.
