A Historical Overview
Poland and Lithuania have been standing side by side for centuries. From the 14th to the 18th centuries, they were united as the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and, during that time, they enjoyed strong ties and shared a common heritage. Lithuania also embraced Polish culture, with Polish becoming their primary language of commerce in the 16th century. Even after the division of Poland and Lithuania in 1795, the ties between the two countries remained strong. Historically, they both engaged in similar foreign and defense policies and many Poles found work in Lithuania. Similarly, many Lithuanians, seeking better economic opportunities, moved to Poland. Their proximity to each other also gave them a sense of importance in regional security.
Friction After the Fall of Communism
The fall of communism in 1989 saw Poland and Lithuania re-establishing diplomatic relations with each other. Initially, relations between the two nations were friendly and mutually beneficial. However, over the years, there were some signs of tensions that began to creep in. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania formed the Baltic States, a political alliance, in 2004, creating the first signs of a rift, as Poland refused to join the alliance. Poland was also critical of Lithuania’s approach towards their former commonwealth partner, Russia, accusing the Lithuanian government of being overly lax in their dealings.
The 2006 opening of a Russian pipeline, carrying crude oil to Kaliningrad, and the Russian announcement of a visa-free travel agreement between Kaliningrad and Lithuania, exacerbated the situation and so Poland vowed to oppose any plans of a mutual alliance between Lithuania and Russia. The tensions between the two nations grew even further in 2007, with Lithuania objecting to Poland’s inclusion in actions to join the Schengen Zone.
Recent Developments
The relationship between Poland and Lithuania has improved since the mid-2000s. Smoothing out the disagreements of the past, the two countries have rallied for their mutual benefit and security. A significant milestone was the signing of a new Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in October 2017, which raised the level of cooperation between Poland and Lithuania to a higher state of relationship.
This treaty was supplemented with several other agreements over the years, such as the agreement for visa-free border crossings in September 2020 and the declaration of mutual aid in defense in March 2021. Now, the two countries are actively involved in the Three Seas Initiative, a joint venture focused on the economic development of Central and Eastern Europe. The two countries also collaborate in energy, defense and communications sectors and also share a common enemy, Russia’s authoritarian regime.
Cultural Exchanges
Not only have there been political developments between Poland and Lithuania, but there have also been strong cultural exchanges. The two cultures, despite their differences, have a deep affinity for each other – their respective languages, music and literature have all had a strong influence in both countries. Polish culture has thrived in Lithuania, with many books and films being translated into Lithuanian, while Lithuanian culture has also had a strong presence in Poland. Similarly, the two countries also share strong links in education, science and art. For example, Lithuania has a strong Polish literature department and the Polish language is mandatory in Lithuanian schools.
Moreover, the two countries have a number of joint cultural events, with the most notable being the celebrations of their shared history and heritage. Every year, a number of conferences and exhibitions are held in both countries dedicated to their shared history, with participation from politicians and academics from both nations.
The Current State of the Relationship
The relationship between Poland and Lithuania is at an all-time high. The two nations have recognized the importance of their partnership for mutual benefit and security, and they have reaffirmed this through a series of political statements and agreements. The cultural exchange between the two countries has expanded to new levels and now Poles and Lithuanians enjoy great amounts of mutual collaboration and understanding. The two nations also actively support each other in various European and international organizations, such as the European Union and NATO.
Due to the presence of strong ties and shared history, the relationship between Poland and Lithuania is now stronger than ever before. They have become reliable partners in many fields and are now poised to be even more influential in the years to come.
Political Cooperation
Politically, Poland and Lithuania have never enjoyed as close a level of collaboration as they do today. In order to strengthen their mutual ties, both countries have signed several bilateral treaties on topics such as investment protection, mutual assistance and defense, as well as cooperation on safety issues. Furthermore, since 1999, the two countries have been firmly on each other’s side in the European Union, advocating for similar policies and defending each other in disputes.
The two states also cooperate in regional organizations such as the Visegrad Group and the Three Seas Initiative. In the former, the two countries often make joint statements and work together in order to influence other European countries’ opinions on certain issues, while in the latter, they contribute to the development of the entire Central and Eastern European region.
Military Alliances
Poland and Lithuania have a strong military alliance as well. Both countries are members of NATO and they share a common enemy in the form of Russia. In 2015, Poland and Lithuania jointly participated in NATO’s Operation Atlantic Resolve, aimed at deterring Russia’s possible aggression in the region. They also have a framework for cooperation in disaster relief and disaster management operations, as well as a common military training program.
The two countries are also cooperating in missile defense. Poland is a participant in the US-led Missile Defense program, while Lithuania is a partner. The two countries cooperate in the deployment of US military forces, as well as in the maintenance of US-made equipment, such as the Patriot Missiles.
Economic Relations
In economic terms, Poland and Lithuania benefit from each other’s presence. In the area of trade, the two countries enjoy a small surplus in their balance of payments. They even have a trade agreement, as part of the EU, which allows for the free flow of goods and investment between the two countries. Lithuania’s strong IT and energy sectors focus on international markets, and Poland provides Lithuanian companies with easy access to the much larger European market.
Furthermore, the two countries are working on a number of infrastructure projects. For example, they plan to develop a highway between the two capitals, a railway line from Warsaw to Vilnius, and an internet connection between the two countries. Moreover, they are planning to build several new energy links, as well as work on water, forestry and environmental projects.
Conclusion
To summarize, the relationship between Poland and Lithuania is strong and is bolstered by strong political, cultural, and economic ties. Both countries have recognized the importance of working together for mutual security and benefit, and they have taken steps to ensure that their future cooperation is beneficial for both. The two countries now enjoy strong political, military, and economic relationships, proving that, despite their differences, it is possible to come together and develop a strong and prosperous partnership.
