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Abstract:
This article addresses an important issue of the influence of the Polish minority in Lithuania on mutual relations between two neighbouring countries, Poland and Lithuania. Polish-Lithuanian bilateral relations are often classified as conflictual because the Polish minority in Lithuania feels discriminated and the Lithuanian government is not willing to provide it with the rights that correspond to the European standards and Lithuania‘s international obligations. Poland is very active in this conflict as it supports the Polish minority in Lithuania and puts its political pressure on Lithuanian politicians. In addition, historical connotations make it even more difficult to resolve the conflict as the Lithuanian government perceives Poland as a country which wants to dominate in bilateral relations.
