Situation of Lithuanian minority in Poland. Legal status and its implementation

Abstract

From the moment of regaining independence by Lithuania, the Polish and Lithuanian state authorities felt the need to establish closer relations. This led to signing the Treaty between the Republic of Lithuania and the Polish Republic on friendly relations and neighborly cooperation in Vilnius on 26th April 1994. The article discusses its implementation by the Polish authorities (and the laws guaranteed for the Lithuanians, among others: the spelling of names and use of their mother tongue in public life; own education, access to public media). Analysis of normative material and practice shows that both the existing legal regulations in Poland regarding national minorities and policies of the state and local authorities, provide good conditions for the preservation of Lithuanians culture, their national identity and economic development as well as protect the Lithuanian minority against assimilation.