After meeting his counterpart Gitanas Nauseda on the first day of a trip to Lithuania, Duda told reporters their two countries offer “decisive” support to those demanding fair elections in neighbouring Belarus and seeking the “real right to self-determination”.
“And we will continue to support these efforts," Duda added.
Mass demonstrations in Belarus have been demanding the resignation of veteran strongman Alexander Lukashenko since an August 9 presidential election his opponents say was rigged.
At a joint press conference with Nauseda in Vilnius, Duda said Poland and Lithuania enjoyed “good neighbourly and friendly” relations, adding that the two countries were “bound by a great common history”.
He added that ties could be further strengthened by a newly established Presidential Council, a special body which Duda and Nauseda will head in turn.
On the first day of his trip, Duda also delivered an address in the Lithuanian parliament referring to shared history, including the 1569 Union of Lublin, which created a Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
He said the “wonderful heritage” of the Union is still “extremely inspiring for both our nations, for our region and for the whole of Europe."
On the second and last day of his trip to Lithuania, Duda is scheduled to meet Ingrida Simonyte, who is forming a new government in Vilnius after winning an election last month.
He is also expected to visit a mausoleum in which the heart of Marshal Józef Piłsudski, one of the architects of Polish independence, is buried.
Poland and Lithuania in September signed a strategic partnership declaration and their government ministers held talks officially known as intergovernmental consultations.
It was the first such event between the two countries since 1989.
(pk)
Source: PAP