Prime Minister: The strategic partnership between Lithuania and Poland is strong – and will remain so
Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas met with outgoing Polish President Andrzej Duda. During the meeting, the two discussed bilateral relations between Lithuania and Poland, energy security, regional infrastructure projects, defence cooperation, and other pressing issues.
“The close bilateral relations and ties between Lithuania and Poland bring tangible benefits to the people of both countries – both economically and in terms of security. I am convinced that the strategic partnership between our two nations is strong – and will remain so,” said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister thanked the Polish President for his active role in implementing the Baltic States’ electricity grid synchronisation action plan and strengthening the energy sector. The Polish President, in turn, highlighted Lithuania’s particularly important role in fostering Poland’s and the region’s energy independence – namely the launch of the GIPL gas pipeline linking Lithuania and Poland in 2022. The two leaders underlined the need to ensure further steps – the onshore implementation of the “Harmony Link” interconnector and the protection of critical infrastructure.
The meeting also emphasised the importance of the “Rail Baltica” and “Via Baltica” projects for economic development and military mobility, as well as the need to secure and expand funding under the Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2028–2034.
Speaking on security, the Prime Minister stressed the markedly enhanced Lithuanian–Polish defence cooperation in recent years: “Poland’s role in ensuring regional security and its continued support for Ukraine are crucial. Poland is a model for all allies in the field of defence investment.”
In reference to the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, the meeting underscored the necessity of maintaining transatlantic unity and ensuring the presence of US forces in Europe.
During his farewell visit to Lithuania, A. Duda took part in the Vilnius Summit held on 2 June, together with the leaders of other NATO eastern and northern flank countries, NATO Secretary General M. Rutte, and Ukrainian President V. Zelensky.
