- February 12, 2013
- 343
Aziewicz: The intentions of Lithuanian government towards Poland and Polish people will be verified with the passing of time
The improvement of the situation of Polish minority is the key to changes for the better, Tadeusz Aziewicz, a Member of Parliament of the Republic of Poland on behalf of Civic Platform, told to PL DELFI. The membership of the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania in the governing coalition is the guarantor of government’s credibility towards Polish minority, an MP added.
Which matters should be repaired first?
This visit makes me glad. I have been always encouraging both sides – even during the most difficult times for Polish-Lithuanian relations – to have dialogue and to look for common things. I have been saying that the improvement of the situation of Polish minority is the key to changes for the better. The provisions of the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Good Neighbourly Cooperation from 1994 should be the basis for the relations.
I want to emphasise the fact that Lithuanian electors appreciated the demands of Polish minority and voted for their political party – the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – which gave the Lithuanian Poles an opportunity to exert influence on country’s policy and to be a part of ruling coalition. It seems that after years of making declarations of good will, it is time to take specific actions. The most urgent problems are the act on minorities and issues related to the standarisation of school-leaving examination in Lithuanian language.
What are the challenges in economic cooperation between both countries in the near future?
Trade between our countries has been always well despite the political tension. The main challenges concerning future will depend on infrastructural investments, i.e. power grids, gas pipes, roads and the rail grid. Certainly an integration between the markets of Baltic states and the European Union is of common interest and the way to achieve this goal leads through Poland.
Are the intentions of the social democratic government sincere towards Poland and Poles living in Vilnius Region?
The intentions of Algirdas Butkievicius’ government towards Poland and Polish people will be verified with the passing of time. When Linas Linkievicius apologised for his colleagues, who on the last day of Lech Kaczynski’s visit in Lithuania did not support a compromise bill on the spelling of names, I received his statement with respect and hope. It is worth mentioning that the membership of the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania in the governing coalition is the guarantor of government’s credibility towards Polish minority. EAPL is sensitive to all issues concerning the situation of Lithuanian Poles.
If EAPL left the ruling coalition, would it have any influence on Polish-Lithuanian relations?
The presence of EAPL in the Lithuanian government or its possible leaving the coalition is an internal business of Lithuania. However, as I mentioned before, the participation of EAPL leaders’ in the government is a kind of intermediary between this government and Polish minority. From the perspective of our country, we can and will evaluate the policy realised by our neighbour in terms of the provisions of the Treaty, which was concluded voluntarily by both countries. I want to remind you that it contains a number of unfulfilled obligations concerning the rights of Polish minority. It is certain that opinions of people who are interested in this matter will be very important to the evaluation of the undertaken actions.
Tłumaczenie Patrycja Olszówka w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Patrycja Olszówka the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.
