Komorowski: I am a guest of modern and democratic Lithuania

During the conversation with journalists, the President of Poland, Bronisław Komorowski, said that he visited Lithuania that was not only a modern and democratic country but also a country in which local Poles were able to make their voice heard. According to the President, the success of the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania [Polish: Akcja Wyborcza Polaków na Litwie; AWPL] may improve the relationship between the two countries and nations. 

“Wart Pac pałaca, a pałac Paca. Poland is proud of Poles living in Vilnius Region. Poles living in Vilnius Region may be proud of the contemporary, modern and better Poland. I am convinced that we can derive a lot of benefits from this relationship”, the President of Poland welcomed representatives of the local Polish community in the Palace of Pac Family. Among the gathered guests there were teachers, politicians and activists of Polish minority in Lithuania.

The success of AWPL

Komorowski expressed his gratitude to Polish minority for the victory in the recent parliamentary elections and membership in the governing coalition. “It offers a lot of new perspectives. It offers a lot of new possibilities with regard to Polish-Lithuanian dimension as well as national dimension. Those facts are worth stressing, especially today on the 95^th anniversary of Lithuanian independence  and independence of Poland regained in 1918”, said the President. In spite of the strong representation of Polish minority in the Parliament and government, Poland will continue to support the local Poles.

The President of Poland, whose family comes form Lithuania, considers Vilnius to be one of the most beautiful and important cities. “There is a necessity to understand how Lithuanian people perceive Vilnius and how they perceive Poland. This is what we need in order to achieve the common good. Despite our differences and complex history, this common good may unite us and help create a totally new world”, stressed the President.

The right direction

During the conversation with journalists, the President said that he was satisfied with the visit. “I am aware of the fact that today I am a guest of Lithuania that is not only a modern, democratic and independent country but also a country in which Polish minority is searching for its own place. Polish minority has achieved a considerable success which makes me happy. The success offers a lot of new perspectives for Polish minority to participate in Lithuanian politics. (…) The two nations can derive a lot of benefits form this relationship. I hope that it will be beneficial for our countries as well”, stressed Komorowski. “I am glad to notice that the contemporary independence and statehood of Poland and Lithuania go in the same direction. The countries go two parallel paths. They go through the world of democracy and freedom. They go through the common membership in the EU and NATO”, said the President of Poland.

Meeting with Grybauskaistė

A meeting with the President of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaistė, cannot be considered a success. On the basis of the conversation with the President of Poland, it is assumed that the issue of national minorities was not discussed during the meeting. The problem of national minorities is the biggest obstacle to improve the relationship between Vilnius and Warsaw. A common press conference was not organized.

Komorowski said that during the meeting with the President of Lithuania, they had been talking mainly about the membership in the EU and the summit of the Eastern Partnership in Vilnius. The President said that other issues had been a topic of discussion between the Prime Ministers or Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries. “The host of the visit is the President of Lithuania”, President Komorowski said shrugging his shoulders.

“We, people from the East, have always been full of hope. I am a person formed mainly by the tradition of the Eastern Borderlands. Thus, I am a person full of hope and trust. Everything depends on the fact whether we are able to open a new chapter in the Polish-Lithuanian relationship. I think that we are able to do it”, added President Komorowski.

A little bit earlier, the President laid a wreath and lit a candle at the cross at Lukiškės Square in memory of insurgents form 1863. The President was welcomed by Władysław Korkuć, a veteran of Vilnius District of Home Army [Polish: Wileński Okręg Armii Krajowej], and scouts. After a short conversation, the President went to the meeting in the Palace of Pac Family.

Source: http://pl.delfi.lt/aktualia/litwa/komorowski-jestem-gosciem-litwy-nowoczesnej-i-demokratycznej.d?id=60691065

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