News

On 3 May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius participated in a joint discussion on the Constitution of 3 May and the importance of the historical Polish-Lithuanian friendship for Europe that was organised by the provisional May 3 Group and the Polish Discussion Club at the Seimas (Parliament).

The discussion was dedicated to the commemoration of the adoption of the Constitution of 3 May 1791 by the Commonwealth of the Two Nations.

“The Constitution of 3 May was far ahead of its time. After the adoption of this document, Lithuania and Poland became the vanguard of modern Europe. Both today and in the future cooperation between Lithuania and Poland must reflect the spirit of the Constitution of May 3,” said Linkevičius.

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister gave an overview of priorities of Lithuanian-Polish bilateral relations, highlighting cooperation in the field of security and defence, the importance of joint energy and transport infrastructure projects, and the need to jointly implement the values-based European Neighbourhood Policy working with Eastern neighbours.

“Lithuania and Poland are strategic partners who are not just countries with very strong historical ties, but work together also today,” said Linkevičius.

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister noted that Lithuania was ready for an open dialogue with Poland on various issues of mutual interest and stressed the need to update activities of joint intergovernmental bodies.

The Constitution of 3 May 1791 was the first constitution of its type in Europe and the world’s second written constitution. The Constitution is now recognized as the common Lithuanian-Polish heritage.

The discussion at the Seimas was also attended by the Speaker of the Seimas Viktoras Pranckietis, the leader of the Seimas May 3 Group Andrius Kubilius, the leader of the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats Gabrielius Landsbergis, the Associate Professor at Vilnius University Faculty of History, Dr. Eligijus Raila and the Professor at Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University, representative of the Polish Discussion Club Marijušas Antonovičius.