News

Polish President Lech Kaczynski, who died a year ago in a plane crash near Smolensk, like no one before, was aware of Poland's exceptional role and responsibility for regional security, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis said on 10 April in Vilnius at commemoration of first anniversary of the tragedy.

“We are very hurt that we lost the most sincere friend of Lithuania – President Lech Kaczynski. He, like no one before, had a deep sense of Poland's exceptional role and responsibility for full and comprehensive regional security. We lost the President whose ideas and work will never be forgotten. What a painful coincidence – the Polish president and his delegation were flying to Smolensk to commemorate the victims of Stalinism – the 70th anniversary of Katyn massacre when Soviets killed thousands of Polish officers. 96 people died. Poland's political, military and cultural elite, excellent people,” A.Ažubalis said.

The concert “In Memoriam” organized by Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to commemorate the first anniversary of tragic death of Poland's President Lech Kaczynski, his wife and the members of accompanying delegation near Smolensk was held in Vilnius  St.Johns church. The concert was patronized by Foreign Minister A.Ažubalis

According to the Minister on 10 April 2010 Lithuania lost many friends in Poland. “Some of them were our comrades on the road to Lithuania’s independence; we became part of European and transatlantic family together with our Polish friends,” A.Ažubalis stated.

The concert  was performed by State Choir “Vilnius”, led by the conductor Povilas Gylys. Actress Dalia Michelevičiūtė read the poetry of Czeslaw Milosz. Highest state officials, foreign countries' diplomats, members of the Seimas and other representatives of the society attended the concert.

 L.Kaczynski served as President of Poland from 2005 to 2010.