Budrys: Lithuania and Poland, united by the trials of the past, know the value of freedomActivities of the Minister of Foreign AffairsBilateral Relations

On 8 September, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys, together with the newly elected President of Poland Karol Nawrocki, who came to Vilnius for a working visit, paid tribute to the memory of the Defenders of Freedom and Polish soldiers who died in the fight against the Bolsheviks at the Antakalnis Cemetery. They also visited the Rasos Cemetery's Chapel, where the remains of the participants of the 1863-1864 uprising are interred.

Earlier, during meetings held at the Presidential Palace discussions focused on defence cooperation and strengthening regional security. The joint strategic objectives of Lithuania and Poland were discussed, including increasing the involvement of the United States of America in regional defence plans and support for Ukraine.

"The strategic partnership between Lithuania and Poland is gaining new significance in the current geopolitical context. With Poland, we aim not only to implement bilateral strategic projects but also to strengthen regional security. We are the two NATO allies that invest the most in our defence. Our common goals include ensuring credible security guarantees for Ukraine, coordinating on further peace negotiations, and strengthening the vital transatlantic bond," said Budrys.

According to the Minister, the Lithuanian and Polish nations united by the trials of the past understand very well the value of freedom. The memory of the Defenders of Freedom and the participants of the 1863-1864 uprising is important not only to Lithuania and Poland, but also to Ukraine and Belarus. It serves as a living obligation to always protect and defend freedom everywhere, and to resist aggression and violence. According to the head of Lithuania's diplomacy, that this is a shared historical foundation that unites both nations. This is especially relevant today, when a large-scale aggression against a sovereign state is taking place in the neighbourhood, undermining the international rules-based order.

This was President Karol Nawrocki's first visit to the region since assuming office.