Warsaw - The presidents of Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine marked the 440th anniversary of the signing of a historical pact in 1596 which united the three nations for more than 200 years. The Union of Lublin was an agreement between Poland and Lithuania that merged the two nations into a single state. It was signed partly as protection against Russia, and partly to protect the union after Poland's and Lithuania's mutual king left no heirs.
Ukraine at the time was partly under Lithuanian control, partly under Russia.
The Union of Lublin lasted until the second half of the 18th century, when the Polish Lithuania Commonwealth was partitioned by Russia, Prussia and Austria.
The presidents uncovered a plaque saying, "From the Union of Lublin to the European Union," as mass was held to mark the union that created one of Europe's largest states.
Archbishop Jozef Zycinski said that in a culture dominated by consumption, people must remember the roots of Europe.
