The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania,

noting that this year sees the 200th anniversary of the death of General Tadeusz Kościuszko, the leader of the uprising of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1794 and participant of the United States War of Independence;

having regard to the fact that the 200th anniversary of the death of Tadeusz Kościuszko is included in the list of anniversaries celebrated by the Member States in association with UNESCO in 2016-2017;

appreciating the significance of the lifetime achievements and historical legacy Tadeusz Kościuszko in promoting the ideas of freedom and independence of Lithuania, Poland and the United States of America;

pointing out that the historical legacy of Tadeusz Kościuszko carries not only a symbolic significance, but is also of particular relevance in the light of the current geopolitical situation, when hostile forces seek to forcibly interfere with the self-determination of states, to break down their territorial integrity and to fracture solidarity of the transatlantic community,

appeals to the Sejm of the Republic of Poland and the Congress of the United States of America, emphasising that the historical legacy of Tadeusz Kościuszko and the values he stood up for, namely the fight for freedom and independence, are universal, bringing together the states and societies and strengthening the transatlantic community links;

stresses that Lithuania has always been and will remain a reliable ally of Poland and the United States of America and a responsible member of the transatlantic society.

invites Lithuania’s state and municipal institutions, non-governmental organisations, residents and Lithuanian communities abroad to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of Tadeusz Kościuszko in Lithuania and worldwide, and to promote the legacy of the values fostered by this outstanding historical personality.

Speaker of the Seimas                                                                                        Viktoras Pranckietis