The Speaker of the Seimas visited Lithuania on Thursday to take part in a meeting of the Seimas on the 15th anniversary of the country's accession to the European Union. The Polish delegation also included Deputy Speaker of the Senate Bogdan Borusewicz and Polish Ambassador to the Republic of Lithuania Urszula Doroszewska. The celebrations in the Parliament started at 10 a.m. The Seimas Chairman Viktoras Pranckietis and former President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus gave the welcoming speech. Then a series of speeches was started by Marek Kuchciński.
- Europe is an idea that was born centuries ago right here, in Central and Eastern Europe - said Marshal Kuchciński, referring to the history of the First Republic of Poland and the Polish-Lithuanian union. - I would like to express my fundamental conviction that not only Poland and Lithuania have benefited from membership of the Union, but our countries have brought to this international organization their centuries-old civilization and material heritage. Poland and Lithuania are the homelands of parliamentarism, democracy and tolerance," said the Speaker of the Seimas.
Marek Kuchciński presented the most important benefits that Poland has benefited from since 2004, highlighting in particular the high GDP growth and the impact of European funds on the domestic economy. - We are able to take advantage of the opportunities offered by a united Europe. The EU is a chance for development, but it is us, with our work and dedication, who create this achievement. We want to be treated with respect due to the people who co-create the EU economy. We want our sovereignty, diversity, history and right to pursue national interests to be respected, which are not contradictory to the idea of community of nations. The European Union should remember its Christian roots. For Europe is not only a market without a soul and its aim is also to protect its citizens against the threats of the contemporary world', emphasised the Speaker of the Seym who reminded: - We are Europeans because we are Poles, we are Lithuanians. It is worth remembering this simple but important truth.
In his welcoming speech to the participants, the President of the Seimas said that Europe builds the prosperity of its nations while protecting their freedom. - We are proud to be part of this great creative process, which also guarantees the future of the Lithuanian nation. Former President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus spoke next. - Increasing prosperity is a natural activity of EU members, but not the only one. Lithuania's accession to the EU was not a business plan or an exchange of sovereignty for prosperity, but a return to its historical place, to the family of democratic countries - remarked the former President.
During the speeches at the plenary session of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the importance of the alliance of the two countries and the value of good relations between Warsaw and Vilnius were repeatedly emphasized. In his speech the Deputy Speaker of the Senate Bogdan Borusewicz also stressed it many times. - Let us stay in the Union, let us change and support it. Let us never say that it is unnecessary - he appealed. Linas Antanas Linkevicius, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, stressed the particular Euro-enthusiasm of Lithuanians, saying that 61 percent of them declare their trust in the European Union. - I think that during the last 15 years we have stood firmly on our feet. When there are questions whether the EU has a clear future, I say that it will not happen by itself. We have the capacity to deliver if we are focused on the goals. Then we will achieve good results.
After the Seimas celebrations, a solemn ceremony of raising the flags of Lithuania and the European Union was held at Independence Square. Afterwards the heads of the Lithuanian and Polish parliaments together with the members of the delegation went for a meeting. Among the topics of the two delegations' direct talks were the upcoming celebrations of the 450th anniversary of the Union of Lublin, which will take place on June 30th. The politicians also discussed the perspectives of parliamentary cooperation and the international situation in our part of the continent.
Marek Kuchciński concluded his visit at Rossa, where - accompanied by the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Lithuania Urszula Doroszewska and the Deputy Head of the Chancellery of the Sejm Adam Podgórski - he laid a wreath at the grave of Jozef Pilsudski's mother, where the heart of the Chief of State is also buried. At the end of the one-day visit, a press conference of the Marshal of the Sejm was also held there.
CIS
The entire speech of the Speaker of the Seimas Marek Kuchcinski at the Seimas of Lithuania:
9.05.2019
Honourable Mr. Chairman, Honourable Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Very Thank you very much for your invitation to attend the formal sitting of the Seimas to mark the 15th anniversary of Lithuania's accession to the European Union.
Our Our presence in Vilnius today is a confirmation of the strong bond between Poland and Lithuania. In the past, we were linked by events and works undertaken We have celebrated anniversaries together, such as We have celebrated anniversaries together: 630 We have celebrated together the 630th anniversary of the Baptism of Lithuania, the 100th anniversary of the Autumn of Nations, the 25th anniversary of the Polish-Lithuanian Treaty. And another great anniversary lies before us: the 450th anniversary of the Union of Lublin.
The accession of The accession of Poland and Lithuania to the EU on May 1, 2004 is historically significant in every dimension. First of all, it was the end of the post-war division of Europe. The process The process started by "Solidarity" in Poland and "Sajudis" in Lithuania and crowned with the accession of Central The process started by "Solidarity" in Poland and "Sajudis" in Lithuania and crowned with the accession of Central European countries to the North Atlantic Alliance.
Europe is an idea that was actually born centuries ago. The honest and inquisitive historian will go further than the European Coal and Steel the need to bring together countries bled dry by the tragedy of World War II. He will reach back to the great The great tradition of Polish-Lithuanian unions, which at the end of the The book will draw on the great tradition of Polish-Lithuanian unions, which at the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the modern The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which at the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of and cultures, created in a process of negotiation rather than conquest. Thus, with a great role parliament shaping republican and civic attitudes.
I would like to I would like to express my fundamental conviction that not only Poland and Lithuania I would like to express my fundamental conviction that not only Poland and Lithuania The European Union's membership is not the only thing that Poland and Lithuania have gained from their membership in the Union. Poland and Lithuania Lithuania are the homelands of parliamentarism, democracy and tolerance.
Our presence in the EU is an economic success. Since accession, Poland's GDP per capita has increased from 50% of the EU average in 2003, to 70% in 2017. that is, by 20%! Since the beginning EU membership, Poland has paid €53 billion into the budget and received about €170 billion euro. This means that for every €1 paid in, we received €3.
Tangible Polish countryside also benefited. Since Since the beginning of the membership, Polish farmers have received EUR 54 billion, including EUR 33.5 billion in direct payments. in the form of direct payments. The income of rural inhabitants increased by 120%.
Means It means that we can take advantage of the opportunities offered by a united Europe. Our economy is growing and it is time for us to make the most of the good prosperity. Because the EU is a chance for development, but it is us, with our work and dedication We, with our work and dedication, create this achievement. It is not given to us and will not be possible without our wisdom and solidarity.
That is why we say openly in the Union that we want to be treated with the respect due to the people who contribute to the EU economy. We want our sovereignty to be respected, We want our sovereignty, diversity, history and the right to pursue national interests to be respected. We want our sovereignty, differences, history and the right to pursue our national interests to be respected. The European Union should remember about its Christian roots. For Europe is not only a market without a soul, and its aim is also to protect its citizens from the dangers world.
The great, The great, underused potential of the Union is still democracy and democratic decision-making mechanisms. A Union that listens more closely to its citizens is a Union that respects the diversity and national identities of its Member States.
We are Europeans, because we are Poles, we are Lithuanians. It is worth remembering of this simple but important truth.
Photo: Marta Marchlewska/ KS
September 2017:
March 2018:
