Via Baltica connected Poland and Lithuania. The presidents took part in an extraordinary ceremony
The section of the Via Baltica route connecting Poland and Lithuania is much more than a transport route; the importance of this road for security and defense cannot be overestimated – said President Karol Nawrocki on Monday at the opening ceremony of the section of the highway connecting the two countries.
On Monday, President Nawrocki met with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on the Polish-Lithuanian border, where both leaders took part in the opening ceremony connecting the two countries. a section of the Via Baltica motorway – the only road connection of this class connecting the Baltic countries with Poland and the rest of Europe.
The opening of the second roadway of the Łomża district means that the entire international transport corridor will be opened #ViaBaltica from Warsaw to Budzisko (310 km) is already a dual carriageway. #ViaBaltica connects Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with Poland. #EUFunds
More: https://t.co/FJR2dIz9Mt pic.twitter.com/AgziHvI3yu— GDDKiA Białystok (@GDDKiA_B_stok) October 2, 2025
During the ceremony, Nawrocki emphasized that the viaduct connecting Poland and Lithuania is, on the one hand, a physical and symbolic connection of two close nations with common history and values, and on the other, a connection of the three Baltic states with the rest of Europe. In this context, he recalled recent steps bringing the Baltic countries closer to Europe, such as the recent synchronization of their energy networks with the European network and disconnection from the Russian network, as well as the acquisition by the Lithuanians of the “Independence” floating LNG terminal.
– The road we are officially opening today is much more than a transport route; it is a link that strengthens our relations and brings societies closer, and also contributes to the region's resilience – said the president. As he emphasized, the road “reflects the excellent state of Polish-Lithuanian relations.”
Nawrocki drew attention to the great economic importance of the new route, as he said – “a key transport corridor for the entire region”, which will contribute to increasing investments and creating new jobs in the region. However, the president emphasized that “the importance” of the Via Baltica route for the security and defense of the entire region cannot be overestimated.
– This road has two purposes. It serves both economic development and strengthening the region's defense capabilities, noted the President of the Republic of Poland.
A historic moment. Symbolic launch of the Via Baltica road connection, which connects Poland and Lithuania. pic.twitter.com/eE8DzdioJQ
— Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland (@presidentpl) October 20, 2025
President of Lithuania: Via Baltica plays a key role in today's geopolitical context
Via Baltica plays a key role in today's geopolitical context. Lithuania and Poland, along with other Baltic states, take their security very seriously and invest heavily in defense, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda emphasized on Monday.
Nauseda emphasized that Monday's ceremony culminates years of intense work. – Both Lithuania and Poland have invested significant funds, time and efforts in building a top-quality transport artery, he said.
There is no doubt – he added – that the strategic importance of Via Baltica will continue to grow. The President of Lithuania noted that this route plays a key role in today's geopolitical context. – Lithuania and Poland, along with other Baltic states, take their security very seriously and invest heavily in defense, Nauseda emphasized.
President Nawrocki: Via Baltica shows that Polish-Lithuanian relations are at the highest level
The Via Baltica route shows that Polish-Lithuanian relations are at the highest level, said President Karol Nawrocki after the opening ceremony of the section of the highway connecting Poland and Lithuania. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe show that they can implement important projects, he added.
During the press conference, Nawrocki assessed that the efficient implementation of the project is shown, among others, by: that “Polish-Lithuanian relations are at the highest level” and the new route connecting both countries means creating new opportunities for cooperation. He emphasized that building economic resilience and security are common goals of Poland and Lithuania, which cooperate very intensively in this area.
President Nauseda agreed with this, emphasizing that trade between Poland and Lithuania currently amounts to EUR 10 billion, and in addition to transport infrastructure, both countries have been connected in recent years, among others by: a gas interconnector, and in the future, a Harmony Link energy connection will be built. Nauseda added that the opening of the border section of Via Baltica means that you can now travel from Vilnius to Lisbon using only expressways.
Both presidents also emphasized the strategic and military importance of the route, which is already used to transport troops, among others. for joint exercises. – This is a dual use of Via Baltica, all the certificates that this route has (…) make us safer – said President Nawrocki.
He also emphasized that the creation of the route is proof of the effectiveness of projects undertaken as part of the Three Seas Initiative, which brings together countries located between the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Seas. He added that the countries of Central and Eastern Europe show in this way that “they can implement projects that are important to them.”
The Via Baltica route connects Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with Poland.
From the border with Lithuania in Budzisko, the route runs along the entire S61 and (in the area of Ostrów Mazowiecka) connects with S8 to Warsaw. The route is – as road designers emphasize – the most important road connection connecting the Baltic countries with Western Europe. Via Baltica is also an element of two corridors of the European transport network TEN-T: North Sea – Baltic Sea and Baltic Sea – Black Sea – Aegean Sea.
