Other events in Baltic States

Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus has arrived on a working visit to Poland to participate in the ceremonies of the commemoration of the 440th anniversary of the Union of Lublin, a union between Lithuania and Poland formed back in 1569, reported BC presidential press service.

The President of Lithuania attended Holy Mass and viewed the treasures of Lublin Cathedral, together with President Lech Kaczynski of Poland and President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine. President Adamkus laid flowers at the Monument to Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski and unveiled a memorial plaque "From the Lublin Union to the European Union". At John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Valdas Adamkus will be awarded an honorary doctoral degree. Later today, the Heads of States will take part in the celebration events at the Lublin Union Monument, visit the Holy Trinity Chapel at Lublin Castle, and participate in the ceremony to commemorate the 440th anniversary of the Lublin Union.

The Union of Lublin was signed on July 1, 1569, in Lublin, between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland, to create a single state, the Commonwealth of Two Nations. The Lublin Union established that the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland was to be ruled by the King of Poland and governed with a common parliament, the Sejm. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania retained the status of a sovereign state, with its own territory and the executive power with the treasury and the army.

In the evening, President Adamkus will go to Torun to attend the opening ceremony of the Lithuanian-Polish House. The President will meet with members of Torun community in Torun University and present a book about his presidency published in the Polish language.

The president comes back to Vilnius Thursday night.