The World Worried About the Lithuanian-Polish Dispute

The argument about national minorities between Poland and Lithuanian worries neighbour countries and international organizations, informed “Lietuvos rytas”, a Lithuanian daily, citing British weekly magazine “The Economist”.

The row between Lithuania and Poland risks affecting genuinely important areas initiated by governments of the two countries, claims the author of the article “Poland and Lithuania: Bad Blood”. The article was published in the latest edition of the British weekly magazine “The Economist”. The article emphasizes that “Each side feels it is owed an apology by the other. Both say they want a “reset” of relations—but each thinks it should consist of the other backing down.”

The journalist from “The Economist” says that the situation may threaten the cooperation of Lithuania and Poland in such important areas as energy and transport links. What’s more, the tension in the relations between Lithuania and Poland may negatively affect military security. Polish aid in Lithuania’ defences is, according to the author of the article, absolutely essential. The author of the article “Poland and Lithuania: Bad Blood” points out that the Lithuanian-Polish row concerning national minorities may afflict the mission of Polish air forces which are supposed to police Lithuanian airspace.

“The Economist”  reminds that in April the Polish Contingent Orlik 4 will start policing Baltic airspace. The journalist of the magazine writes that the issue “has not been politicised, so far”. He notices also that deterioration in Lithuanian-Polish relations may afflict the mission of NATO. Furthermore, the author of the article adds that visits paid by Knut Vollebaek, the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the OSCE (The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) , didn’t bring any benefits. The author of the article finishes: “Lithuanians tell him not to demand changes that the parliament won’t vote for. Polish politicians’ patience with their smallest neighbour is at breaking point. Public concern is growing. A new factor in all this is Poland’s rise to heavyweight status in Europe. Its neighbours need to get used to that. But so do Polish politicians.”

http://www.wilnoteka.lt/pl/artykul/swiat-zaniepokojony-sporem-litewsko-polskim

Tłumaczenie Sylwia Janus  w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by  Sylwia Janus within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.