LITHUANIA: Polish President Lech Kaczynski arrives for celebrations to mark 15th anniversary of re-establishment of Lithuanian- Polish diplomatic relations

Polish President Lech Kaczynski arrived in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Monday (September 4, 2006) evening as part of celebrations to mark the 15th anniversary of re-establishing of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Kaczynski met with his Lithuanian counterpart, Valdas Adamkus on Monday evening, while the two attended a mass at Vilnius Cathedral on Tuesday (September 5) morning. The two countries acknowledged their shared tragic history, which for both, involved a loss of their independence. A round table held on Tuesday considered bilateral relations and the role of both countries in the development of European Union policy in the East. Kaczynski's visit has also been an opportunity for Poland to confirm that oil group PKN Orlen won't abandon its USD2.6 billion deal to buy Lithuanian refinery Mazeikiu Nafta. Kaczynski and PKN's chief executive Igor Chalupec, said PKN was fully committed to completing the purchase of the Baltic region's only refinery, which is a major conduit for Russian oil onto the European market. PKN bought control of Mazeikiu in May, outbidding companies favoured by Moscow for the refinery. But in late July the pipeline to Mazeikiu was cut after reports of a leak, prompting speculation Russia wants to punish Lithuania for selling the refinery to PKN rather than to Moscow-favoured bidders. Last week Russian oil pipeline monopoly Transneft, which previously supplied around 250,000 barrels per day to Lithuania, said oil would not flow until the end of January at the earliest. Russia's decision to keep its oil pipeline closed has shaken confidence that the takeover of the refinery by PKN would go ahead, senior Lithuanian politicians said on Friday (September 1). Kaczynski's two day visit will also involve some cultural pursuits. Kaczynski and Adamkus visit a photo exhibition at the Vilnius Museum of Applied Arts, and attend a concert of Lithuanian and Polish folk ensembles. Poland recognised Lithuania's independence in August of 1991, with official diplomatic relations re-established on September 5th of that year.

ITN Source | September 6, 2006

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