Aziewicz: The range of issues was wide

Ranging from the lively exchange about the question of the current situation to discussions concerning infrastructure, electroenergetics and shale gas – commented the deputy, Tadeusz Aziewicz, relating to the visit of the Polish-Lithuanian guests from Lithuania, which was held last week. Our trip to Kashubia aimed at showing our guests the Pomeranian experience within the scope of the cooperation with the ethnic minority – remarked the deputy of Civic Platform (Platforma Obywatelska).

During the parliamentary gatherings of the Polish-Lithuanian groups last week you followed quite a devious route – you visited Gdańsk, Krokowa, Somonin and your family city, Gdynia. Were the negotiations as impressive as the route itself?

Tadeusz Aziewicz: Yes, the range of issues we covered was wide indeed. Ranging from the lively exchange on the question of the current situation to discussions concerning infrastructure, electroenergetics and shale gas. Another interesting element was the meeting with the Marshal of the Sejm, Bogdan Borusewicz, who voiced his concern about the Polish-Lithuanian relations. We also had a conversation with the mayor of Gdańsk, Paweł Adamowicz, concerning the cooperation of the councils of Poland and Lithuania.

Why have you decided upon a trip to Pomerania?

Pomerania is a very special place, as numerous Poles from the Vilnius region arrived there soon after the war. Their children shape the history of our region now. No wonder that the visit of the Lithuanian deputies aroused such an intense interest and friendliness.

Who participated in deliberations from the Lithuanian side?

We were visited by the representatives of the Lithuanian-Polish group led by the manager of the Association of the Poles in Lithuania, Michał Mackiewicz, assisted by deputies: Leonard Talmont, Antanas Matulas and Mečislovas Zasčiurinskas.

I know that during this visit the Lithuanians also met Paweł Olechnowicz, the president of the Lotos Group, which is the owner of the Lithuanian company Geonafta, discovering and drilling for oil. What was this conversation about?

I invited Olechnowicz, the Pole who origins from the Vilnius region, so that he would tell about a positive example of the economy cooperation between our countries, as it is the case with the involvement of the Lotos Group in Lithuania. His presentation kindled an avid interest among our guests.

Before the visit you claimed that you were going to Kashubia in order to demonstrate the Lithuanians how the bilingualism can be applied to practise. What were the reactions? Did you manage to convince your guests of the bilingual nameplates?

Our trip to Kashubia aimed at showing our guests the Pomeranian experience within the scope of the cooperation with the ethnic minority. The Kashubian-Pomeranian Association deeply involved in the organization of this event, displaying not only the bilingual nameplates, but also the system of financing the process of learning of the Kashubian language in schools. I gather that this experience was highly interesting for the guests from Lithuania.

Could you please sum up this visit in several words?

It was the very first official meeting of the representatives of both groups. The large number of deputies and senators willing to engage in this issue is definitely worth emphasizing. There have been 38 Lithuanian and 39 Polish parliamentarians so far. Exploiting such a considerable and positive potential would be no mean challenge. Most of all, we want the members of both groups to cooperate with one another as direct and often as possible. This is the best way to overcome obstacles and dispel stereotypes. We also talked about the common economy forum – the space for meetings of the entrepreneurs from Poland and Lithuania. We will certainly remain involved in the issues of multiculturalism, within a special emphasize on the national and ethnic minorities.

What plans has the parliamentarian Polish-Lithuanian group for the nearest future?

Most certainly, the meeting of the whole group and the common analysis of the conclusions of our Lithuanian friends are necessary. We will be trying to attend all the vents aiming at the improvement of the relations between our nations. For instance, during the visit we learnt that the bike rally Gdańsk-Vilnius will be organized, hence it would be profitable when the parliamentarians of both groups were to join. We are also going to hold the conference which would be attended by the historians, who are experts on the field of the history of both nations, as well as the intellectualists involved in the improvement of the relations between Poland and Lithuania.

Source: http://pl.delfi.lt/opinie/opinie/aziewicz-zakres-tematow-byl-rozlegly.d?id=61435969

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