Lithuanian MPs in Poland to agree on resumption of parliamentary cooperation

The politicians seek renewal of operations of the Assembly of Lithuanian and Polish Parliaments, which terminated its meetings three years ago due to what the head of the Lithuanian delegation Jonas Liesys of Liberal and Center Union said were tense relations.

"We are holding intensive talks, the atmosphere is positive. We seek resumption of work of the Lithuanian-Polish Assembly, which would help solve issues that are relevant to both countries – national minorities, education, land restitution," Liesys told BNS in a telephone interview.

On Thursday and Friday, the Lithuanian delegation is attending a meeting of the task force for assessment of the implementation of provisions of the cooperation agreement between Lithuanian and Polish parliaments.

Lithuanian-Polish relations have been tense lately amid disagreements over certain issues regarding ethnic minorities, including spelling of names and street signs as well as education.

Poland has criticized provisions of the Lithuanian Education Law, which expands the teaching of the Lithuanian language in schools of national minorities, although Lithuanians residing in Poland maintain that, even with the law in effect, Poles in Lithuania enjoy better conditions of being instructed in their native language than they do.

Meanwhile the Lithuanian administration and Lithuanians living in Poland maintain Poland's unfavorable policies towards Lithuanian-language schools result in insufficient funding for the schools, they are being closed down and lack Lithuanian-language textbooks.