President: The Via Baltica is a key transport corridor for the entire region
President: This road we are officially opening today – the Via Baltica – is much more than just a transportation route for us, the nations of Central Europe. It is a connecting link that strengthens our relations, brings our societies closer together, and contributes to the resilience of our region.
Speech by the President of Poland Karol Nawrocki:
Excellency, Dear Mr. President, Dear Friend Gitanas,
Ministers, Excellencies, Bishop,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A few moments ago, President Gitanas Nausėda and I shook hands while standing on the viaduct that physically connects especially Poland and Lithuania, but connects the Baltic States – through Poland – with Western Europe. This feat of engineering also has a symbolic dimension – it connects two nations with a shared, glorious history and sharing values.
This road we are officially opening today – the Via Baltica – is much more than just a transportation route for us, the nations of Central Europe. It is a connecting link that strengthens our relations, brings our societies closer together, and contributes to the resilience of our region.
This modern piece of infrastructure, which we admire today, reflects the excellent state of Polish–Lithuanian relations. Thank very much Mr. President Gitanas for these relations.
For centuries, our countries and nations have been bound not only by a shared history, but also by the community of values we have always fought for – sovereignty, freedom, mutual respect, and solidarity.
Constructing and opening this road in Poland and in Lithuania, as well as completing its expansion in Latvia and Estonia, has been a major challenge, but also a tremendous economic opportunity.
The Via Baltica is a key transport corridor for the entire region – connecting the Baltic States – via Poland – with Western Europe, and by means of the Via Carpathia – with the southeastern part of the European Union.
It enables a faster and more efficient flow of goods, services, and people, thus being a stimulus for the development of our economies, an opportunity for new investments, jobs, and increased competitiveness.
It is worth emphasizing that the Via Baltica is not only a civilian infrastructure. Its importance for security cannot be overstated. This road has a dual purpose – it serves both economic development and strengthening the region's defense capabilities.
In this context, I must mention two other events from the last 11 months that demonstrate Lithuania's consistent and increasingly strong ties with Poland and the western part of the European Union. I am referring here to the acquisition by Lithuania of the „Independence” floating storage and regasification unit as well as the synchronization of the Baltic States' electricity system with European continental system.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Standing here – close to the viaduct on the Via Baltica route – I see not only a structure connecting two sections of the road, but also a bridge of understanding, partnership, and friendship between Poland and Lithuania.
May this road be a reminder to us that together we can achieve more, and that our countries, by joining efforts, are building a future based on solid foundations of cooperation and mutual support.
Thank you, Mr. President Nausėda, for the invitation and for this shared moment, which is a symbol of Europe growing stronger and setting itself increasingly ambitious goals.
I believe that the Via Baltica will become a symbol of our shared path towards a better future.
Thank you fvery much for your attention.