Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki after Polish-Czech consultations: we have a stronger economy, defence, a common position on Europe and its future

solidaryzm.eu 1 year ago

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki met in Katowice with his Czech counterpart, Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The Heads of Government conducted a Polish-Czech intergovernmental consultation, attended by ministers from both countries. The main topics of the discussions were current bilateral matters and regional and European issues. Politicians have devoted peculiar attention to energy, infrastructure improvement and defence. The safety of the borders of the European Union and its associate States has besides been discussed. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stressed that Poland and the Czech Republic are a strong cohesion of our positions within the framework of geopolitics. Poland points out that the mechanisms proposed by the European Union to relocate immigrants are not a solution to migration.

Poland and the Czech Republic have a akin view of Europe and its future

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Prime Minister Petr Fiala met as part of the Polish-Czech intergovernmental consultations to discuss common issues, including security, energy and infrastructure. Topics afraid bilateral, regional and European issues.

Politicians besides discussed possible changes in the functioning of the EU, which are presently being discussed in the EU. Together we argue solutions based on a qualified majority vote. Poland recognises that the rule of unanimity encourages consensus erstwhile there are very crucial differences of opinion in crucial matters.

– It is simply a safety valve which protects smaller countries from the dominance of larger ones," the head of the Polish government pointed out. "The European Union is simply a community of interests, not a joint work for the interests of the largest, strongest countries. The Union is valuable as long as everyone has a chance to prosecute their interests," he added.

It was besides crucial to discuss financial issues and our positions towards the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework. We will search as much backing as possible for our region, additional backing for the admission of war refugees from Ukraine, as well as greater flexibility for defence and national safety spending.

– The fresh years have shown that the dilemma: either defence investments or improvement investments – is simply a false dilemma. We find money, we build funds, we cut the budget so that it was adequate for a very advanced increase in defence spending, for security, but besides for improvement and social policy," said the Prime Minister.

Security is simply a precedence for our region

During the Polish-Czech intergovernmental consultations, politicians besides discussed current issues and interests in Central and east Europe – among them, safety and infrastructure between our countries. The safety of our part of Europe is now ensured, thanks to the strong Polish army and NATO commitment, as confirmed by the Vilnius Alliance Summit. However, we emphasise that safety must besides be reflected in the effective protection of our external borders.

– The problem of illegal migration cannot be addressed by legalising illegal migration. It is obvious, that is why we together place emphasis on what the model should be based on. Our efforts must focus together on the protection of the external borders of the European Union," said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Our countries know what solidarity is. We besides know that the problem of illegal migration must be addressed at source, not to the detriment of European countries.

Polish and Czech Prime Ministers besides discussed further steps and prospects of regional cooperation in the Visegrad Group (V4) format. The Czech Republic is presently chairing the work of the Visegrad Group, and the last gathering of V4 Prime Ministers took place on 26 June 2023 in Bratislava. After the Czech Republic, as of 1 July 2024, the yearly Presidency of V4 will include Poland.

Cooperation makes our countries stronger

Poland is simply a country of large regional importance, and our proximity to the Czech Republic creates many opportunities for cooperation in various areas. We build the strength of our countries and the full of Central and east Europe – we integrate the region and build the north-south axis.

“Poland and the Czech Republic are 2 very strong economies in the European Union. We are the ones who are attracted to investors from all over the world, sometimes we compete with each other, but we have learned not to be played by the larger ones. 25 years after the transformation very frequently others played us. Today, as part of the Visegrad Group, but especially as part of our bilateral relations, we do not let ourselves to be played," stressed the head of the Polish government.

Consultations of Polish and Czech prime ministers and ministers included a wide scope of areas. During the plenary gathering and the work talks, subjects were discussed: