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Lithuanian PM congratulates Poland's Tusk on return to power

13.12.2023 17:00
The prime minister of Lithuania has sent her government's greetings to the newly appointed Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, wishing him "success in advancing Poland’s national goals." 
Lithuanias Prime Minister Ingrida imonyt.
Lithuania's Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė.PAP/EPA/AHMAD GHARABLI / POOL

Lithuania's Ingrida Šimonytė issued the congratulations on Tuesday night, after Polish MPs gave their vote of confidence to a new government led by Tusk.

The Lithuanian prime minister conveyed her "best wishes for Prime Minister Tusk’s success in advancing Poland’s national goals, promoting the security and prosperity of the country, and strengthening the common European home."

Šimonytė said that Poles and Lithuanians shared "strong bonds" based on "shared historical experience" and "are further united by common values and a commitment to the ideals of freedom and democracy."

Support for Ukraine, sanctions on Russia and Belarus

The Lithuanian leader remarked that "common goals and exceptionally significant challenges of today will further bring our nations together," so that Warsaw and Vilnius "will firmly support each other in the European Union, NATO, and other international formats."

Šimonytė added she had no doubt that Poland and Lithuania would "consistently and firmly support Ukraine" and help strengthen "sanctions against Russia and Belarus," to show that "Europe will not succumb to aggressor’s blackmailing."

Poland's new PM to meet with Baltic counterparts on Sunday

During a major policy speech in parliament on Tuesday, Poland's new prime minister said he would travel to Estonia on Sunday to meet with his counterparts from the Baltic states.

Tusk will hold talks in Tallinn with Estonia's Kaja Kallas, Latvia's Evika Silina and Lithuania's Ingrida Šimonytė, according to officials.

The prime ministers are expected to discuss Russia's war on Ukraine and border security, among other issues, public broadcaster Polish Radio's IAR news agency reported.

Tusk's trip will send a message that "Poland seeks to continue to work with the Baltic states" amid the threat from Russia, according to Lithuanian official Alexander Radchenko.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania view Poland as "a leading nation in Central and Eastern Europe," added Radchenko, who serves as an aide to Lithuania's parliamentary Speaker, the IAR news agency reported.

Wednesday is day 658 of Russia's war on Ukraine.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.

(pm/gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, Government of Lithuania