The conference, hosted by Poland's President Andrzej Duda, was attended by the President of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, and the former heads of state of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus, of the Czech Republic, Václav Klaus, of Georgia, Micheil Saakashvili, and Romania's Traian Băsescu.
They had all worked closely with President Kaczyński in implementing his vision of a secure and developing region of Central and Eastern Europe.
National hero
President Andrzej Duda opened the event hailing a man “who built Solidarity”.
Lech Kaczyński’s trip to Tbilisi in 2008 was referred to by Saakashvili during his speech on Monday.
“This was the moment that saved my country’s independence,” Saakashvili said. Kaczyński was one of the first world leaders to travel to Georgia during the 2008 Russo-Georgian diplomatic crisis.
“In many Georgian families, when people celebrate, a glass to Lech Kaczyński is raised,” Saakashvili added, explaining that Kaczyński has become an unofficial “national hero” of his country.
Referring to the crash of the Tupolev plane which killed Kaczyński, Saakashvili said that the reason behind the crash should be examined further, because “there are many details which still need to be discovered”.
“Afraid of Moscow”
During his speech, former Czech leader Václav Klaus said that he had worked closely with the late Polish president.
“I was more afraid of Brussels while Lech Kaczyński was afraid of Moscow,” Klaus added.
Former Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus said, “2005-2010 was the golden era in our bilateral relations.”
Lech Kaczyński was president of Poland in those five years.
The programme of the meeting included the opening of a photo exhibition documenting Lech Kaczyński’s life and political career, as well as the dedication of one of the conference halls in the presidential place to him.
On Tuesday, the 10th anniversary of President Kaczyński’s swearing-in ceremony, the Polish Parliament and the Senate are to hold a joint commemorative session. (mk/rg/pk)