Today President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus and President of the Republic of Poland Lech Kaczyński signed a Joint Statement of the Presidents of Lithuania and Poland.

Below is the text of the Statement:

Having met in Vilnius on 16 April 2009, the Presidents of Lithuania and Poland declare the following:

The Lithuanian-Polish strategic partnership and the joint institutions of the presidents, parliaments and governments of Lithuania and Poland serve as an example of good neighborhood and bilateral cooperation in today's European Union.

Lithuania and Poland are determined to act together to strengthen mutual understanding, security and stability in the region, Europe and the world, devoting utmost attention to cooperation in formulating the EU and NATO eastern and energy security policies and to the development of transatlantic relations.

Close cooperation between Lithuania and Poland is critically important for implementing energy security and transport infrastructure development projects of high priority for the region and the whole European Union. The Presidents speak out for strengthening transatlantic links in the field of security and economy and also when addressing global challenges. The development of a transatlantic energy strategy should be a key objective in this field.

One of the most important objectives of bilateral relationship is to bring the societies of the two states closer together, creating a network, as broad as possible, among youth organizations, NGOs and members of the academic community. The Presidents welcome the activities of the Polish-Lithuanian Youth Exchange Fund and support the establishment of an intellectual forum initiated by the governments of Lithuania and Poland.

Both countries are prepared for an open discussion among historians and public figures, which would pave the way to an honest public assessment of historical events painful to Lithuania and Poland.

National minorities - Polish in Lithuania and Lithuanian in Poland - play a vital role in shaping relations between the two nations. The Presidents confirm their willingness and desire to solve all problems these minorities are faced with.

Lithuania and Poland welcome the EU Eastern Partnership Initiative and express their firm belief that it will help consolidate democratic European values among eastern neighbors, promote their actual cooperation and bring them closer to the European Union. Lithuania and Poland support NATO's open-door policy and will continue to support NATO's enlargement in the Adriatic and Eastern directions.

Russia is one of the most important EU partners with which constructive cooperation must be developed on the basis of strong respect for mutual commitments, international law and European values. To attain a relationship that is adequately effective, we urge to launch a strategic debate on the EU policies towards Russia.

Valdas Adamkus                                                         

President of the Republic of Lithuania 

Lech Kaczyński
President of the Republic of Poland