Phot. Sebastian Indra / https://www.gov.pl
The ministers of foreign affairs of the Republic of Poland – Jacek Czaputowicz, the Republic of Lithuania – Linas Linkevičius and Ukraine – Dmytro Kuleba had three-party talks on 28th July in Lublin, Poland about the cooperation within the EU and NATO and about the challenges caused by Russia’s activity in the region.
During the meeting the joined declaration was adopted. In the document, the ministers noted the benefits of creating political, economic, scientific and cultural bonds between Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine. They also underlined the importance of parliamentary cooperation, cooperation in the security area and the significance of interpersonal contacts and civil society. The foundation of the Lublin Triangle was announced. It is meant to be a constant platform for the trilateral cooperation – in the frames of which, regular meetings of the foreign ministers, ministries of foreign affairs’ officials and the representants of other institutions from Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine.
The ministers laid flowers at the memorial of the Union of Lublin and visited the headquarters of the multinational military unit LITPOLUKRBRIG.
During the visit to the military unit, the minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Jacek Czaputowicz stated:
“This military cooperation which has been continuing already for several years, can be an example for other areas of life. We, as the ministers of foreign affairs, agreed to close cooperation in the field of foreign policy. I think that other ministries can also use it. In other words, these relations between our three states should be developed for the benefit of all parties”.
Minister Czaputowicz, while answering journalists’ questions, said that what today connects Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine is, among others, Eastern policy:
“The relations with Russia are complicated. I think, that our states are connected by the policy towards Russia. We consider Russia the aggressor. As the European Union, we have introduced the sanctions against Russia. We demand that Russia returns to the commitment to the international law. We support Ukraine. Ukrainians constantly say that Russia does not fulfil international obligations considering Crimea and Donbas territory. In this sphere, there is a uniform policy of the West and within the EU we will have a meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs on this topic in August. We will discuss our common EU policy towards Russia. We stand on the position – same as Lithuania – that the sanctions should be maintained. Obviously, Russia takes some actions, although in this case, we cannot concede to breaking some rules which determine the international relations – obedience to the international law. Therefore, we shall continue this policy”, said the minister of foreign affairs.
Before, at the common press conference at the memorial of the Union of Lublin, minister Czaputowicz explained the meaning of the newly created Lublin Triangle:
“Today we have adopted a declaration in which, it has to be said loud and clear, we establish the aims and the frames of the cooperation. It is an unformalized format in the meaning that there is no institution. We have agreed, however, on regular meetings, exchange of information and appointing liaison-officers in the MFAs. We will see what will be the reaction of our partners in our governments, in other ministries. To what degree will they recognise the positives and usefulness of this format. For sure, the Ministry of Defence is interested in this cooperation through the brigade. MFA and this coordination of foreign policies, exchange of information – that is also a ‘yes’. Primarily, we have similar views on international relations, especially on the threats for the security of this part of Europe – and this is the foundation for our inter-ministerial cooperation. That is why it is easy for us to reach the agreement. We know what policy we need to conduct. Some ideas were already exchanged. I hope that the next meeting will have place in Kiev, if mister minister Dmytro Kuleba keeps up his invitation. We think about creating the cooperation to withstand disinformation and reinterpretation of the history by Russia. I think it is a good foundation for the cooperation between the MFAs. The minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba confirmed the invitation for the ministers from Poland And Lithuania to Kiev and expressed his gratitude for accepting it. He also ensured that the MFA of Ukraine will do everything to not let this format stay only in the phase of discussions between the three ministers, but to let it transform into actual projects and actions – which is in the interest of the three states, founders of the Lublin Triangle, but also in the interest of the West.
Wojciech Pokora (source: PAP / MFA)
Joint Declaration of Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Lithuania and Ukraine on establishing Lublin Triangle
Lublin, 28 July 2020
Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Republic of Lithuania and Ukraine recognize the multi-centennial historical and cultural links between their nations.
They also recognize the benefits of creating even stronger political, economic, infrastructure, security, defense and cultural links between their countries in contemporary world.
They draw attention to the activities of Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine in the process of shaping the modern political, cultural and social realities of Central Europe.
At the same time, they underline the strategic importance of intensified cooperation between the European Union, NATO and Eastern Partnership countries and pay due attention to the functioning of the Three Seas Initiative.
They note with due attention common threats in security area as well as in others, i. e. pandemic threats.
They underline the important role of dialog between the three countries in the parliamentary dimension, especially within the Parliamentary Assembly Poland-Lithuania-Ukraine.
They recognize the benefits of their trilateral cooperation in the security sphere, in particular functioning of the Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian Brigade (LitPolUkrBrig).
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Taking into account the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine, they commit to coordinating their activities in order to uphold the international law, both through trilateral cooperation and within international organizations (NATO, European Union, United Nations, Council of Europe, OSCE).
They declare invariably their strong condemnation of the attempted annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation. They do not recognize it and will never do it. They also call upon Russian Federation to withdraw its troops from the parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine .
They reaffirm their unwavering support to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders and call upon Russian Federation to stop its aggression against Ukraine, as well as its temporary occupation of Ukraine’s territories of Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.
They reiterate their firm support for the European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Ukraine and welcome its European choice.
They note with satisfaction granting of NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner status to Ukraine. They support Ukraine’s aspirations to NATO membership. Providing Ukraine with the NATO Membership Action Plan should be the next step to this direction.
They recommit to deepening and broadening of Polish-Lithuanian-Ukrainian military-to-military cooperation, both through bilateral and trilateral activities and by making full use of possibilities created by NATO.
They reaffirm the unwavering commitment to the development of the Eastern Partnership by broadening and deepening cooperation and proposing ambitious and strategic long-term goals.
They commit to providing mutual support in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
They envisage active actions aiming at promoting trade and investments, securing better access to regional infrastructure and improving its quality by stepping up with ambitious projects promoting cohesion in the region.
They support the cooperation of Ukraine with the Three Seas Initiative, as well as cooperation within other regional formats.
They support the effective implementation of political-economic reforms in Ukraine, taking into account Polish and Lithuanian experiences and best practices worked out in cooperation with other European countries.
They commit to strengthening people-to-people contacts and civil society cooperation, including between scientists and experts.
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In order to ensure achieving the above-mentioned goals the Ministers decide to create a trilateral platform for political economic and social cooperation between the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Lithuania and Ukraine – Lublin Triangle.
The Ministers decide to organize their regular meetings, also in the margins of multilateral sessions and with the participation of chosen partners.
They also decide to organize consultations of high-level MFA officials and establish liaison-officers within the Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
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