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“Historically it has been the case that we do not have the luxury of living in an exceptionally calm, predictable and benevolent neighborhood. Today’s regional and global trends show that we will probably never have such a neighborhood. And on this battlefield of the Battle of Grunwald , from a historical hindsight, we never had it, “said the Lithuanian leader on Wednesday, commemorating the 610th anniversary of the Battle of Grunwald in Poland.
He argued that every effort should be made to keep the United States focus on security in Poland and Lithuania unchanged.
“The United States’ military presence in Europe remains an essential precondition for peace and security in Europe. This is also the strongest deterrent,” stressed the Lithuanian leader.
G.Nausėda also emphasized that security comes at a cost.
“Investing in defense of Lithuania and Poland is not a whim, but an existential necessity. Once in the 2 percent club, Lithuania must continue to be a member and continue to allocate at least 2 percent. GDP to finance defense”, added.
On the other hand, the Lithuanian leader emphasized the peaceful resolution of disputes.
“We need to find a friendly solution to our disputes. But, of course, we must be prepared to resist all emerging threats, including conventional ones. Even if the international order based on rules and principles is broken and ignored today,” he said.
According to G.Nausėda, Lithuania and Poland have achieved a lot by choosing the path of western values.
We must find solutions to a peaceful agreement to resolve mutual disputes, G. Nausėda said.
“It just came to our attention then. Who would have thought that in the 21st century, in Europe, it would be possible to use military aggression and invade the sovereignty of independent states? (…) Today, Ukraine and Sakartvel have to pay the price of their lives for their aspirations and the path taken freely, “said the President of Lithuania.
Although he did not directly name the country, he also emphasized that he did not intend to accept Russia’s attempt to rewrite the history of World War II.
“Today, history is being criminally translated as a tool of revenge and revisionist policies and manipulations directed against Poland and Lithuania. We will never agree and we will not accept it, it cost us too much.” This is another fierce battle that we will have to wage together with Poland, “he said.
Polish President Andrzej Duda said that this day is not only a battle, but also a symbol of prosperity and brotherhood of both countries.
Reuters / Photo by Scanpix / Andrzej Duda
“I am very pleased that the President of Lithuania, the Prime Minister and the ministers are here today. I especially want to emphasize that the first foreign visit by the President of Lithuania was to Poland. Symbolic, the anniversary of that visit just tomorrow. (.. .) The symbols, as they may seem, do not mean much, but those who think they are wrong. “Symbols create politics, symbols create relationships, symbols create history,” he said.
“That this anniversary is a symbol of the fact that Lithuania and Poland are creating not only the strength of the NATO alliance, but also the modern world,” added the Polish president.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis, for his part, said that “the Battle of Grunwald, recorded in history textbooks, teaches the younger generation to know the exploits of their ancestors and to recognize that there are no invincible enemies if Poland and Lithuania are together. “
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawieckis emphasized that everything rarely happens unhindered in history, but, according to him, the commonality of Lithuanian-Polish relations is evidenced by the implementation of joint energy and infrastructure projects and cooperation in organizations. international.
At the beginning of the event, the Polish Army Orchestra performed the hymns of Poland and Lithuania. A little later, the leaders of both countries placed wreaths at the Battle of Grunwald memorial.
Lithuania’s gift is a monumental stone with Vytis
During the presentation of the oldest and most popular religious hymn “Mother of God” in Poland in the Middle Ages, G. Nausėda unveiled a commemorative stone dedicated to the Lithuanian soldiers who fought in the Battle of Grunwald and the common victory.
Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania / Photo by Robertas Dačkus / President Gitanas Nausėda participates in the commemoration ceremony for the 610th anniversary of the Battle of Grunwald
Vytis and the inscription in Lithuanian and Polish: “From the Lithuanian nation to a common victory” are engraved on this stone, which weighs about 12 tons.
Construction of the stone was started by the Royal Union of Lithuanian Nobility, the Vilnius Team Officers Association of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the Reserve Soldiers Association of the Lithuanian Armed Forces in cooperation with the Embassy of Lithuania in Poland and the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
“Vytis is not only one of the oldest heraldic signs in Europe, it is also a symbol of our courage, struggle and determination to defend the homeland to the last drop of blood.” Vytis also takes on a new meaning: it becomes a symbol of peaceful and creative work. I think the Vytis symbol was reflected on the coats of arms of many Polish noble families in the Middle Ages, making it a great symbol of our common aspirations, history, suffering and victories, “said G. Nausėda as he revealed the stone .
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius, National Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis, Interior Minister Rita Tamašunienė, and Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas also participated in the event commemorating the 610th anniversary of the Battle from Grunwald on Wednesday.
Several hundred spectators also attended the event, holding Lithuanian and Polish flags, some of them wearing clothing reminiscent of medieval times.
On Wednesday, the annual Grunwald days were also due to start on the Grunwald battlefield, the main focus of which is organizing a historic fight that draws thousands of participants and spectators. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s event has been canceled.
On July 15, 1410, the Battle of Grunwald near Grunwald was one of the greatest battles of the time. During it, the combined forces of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland, led by Vitautas and Jogaila, crushed the Teutonic Order.
After this battle, the military and political power of the German Order was shattered and its plans to establish a colonial superpower in the Baltic countries were frustrated, thus gaining ground in eastern and central Europe. The allied victory strengthened the international authority of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland and its power.
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