European resoluteness needed like never before - PM
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said in an interview with the Baltic News Service that the EU needs firmness like never before and that on the issue of the bloc's economic recovery fund, Poland favours "ambitious funds" and their rapid implementation.
"Time is very important and in the history of European integration the need for European resoluteness has never been so urgent," the Polish head of government said.
PM Morawiecki said that Poland has consistently striven for an increase in the US military presence on its territory, "However, not at the cost of reducing the American contingent in Germany."
"The eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance is an important element of the trans-atlantic community and we are convinced that maintaining strong ties is in the interests not only of Poland, but of the whole of Europe, including Germany," the prime minister told the Baltic News Service. "Negotiations on the matter of increasing the number of American soldiers in Poland are going according to plan and I believe the results will be impressive."
On the issue of hundreds of Lithuanians left stranded in March at the Polish-German border, who were refused entry to transit Poland by car due to the coronavirus epidemic, Morawiecki said the border had been closed because "we could not afford to bring a greater number of cases of the virus into Poland and the situation demanded very quick and decisive steps."
"I can imagine that it was difficult for some people to return home, but the cases of infection in other European countries reached into the thousands," he explained.
"We hope that the second wave of the coronavirus, if it happens, will be much milder," the PM said. "Now our countries are sufficiently prepared to cope with it. The combination of best practices, funds for public health and, also, European awareness in the matter of supply chains can help in reducing the number of infections."
On the issue of the planned purchase of fuel firm Lotos by dominant petrochemicals concern PKN Orlen and the impact it might have on Orlen's Lithuanian refinery in Mozejki, Morawiecki said the merger of Lotos and Orlen is a driver not only for the future business of the combined companies, but also for the common energy security of Poland and Lithuania. "It will serve well the interests of both retail customers and the local community," he said, adding that "the consolidated player will be able to do more."
On Friday, Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said that his government had turned to the European Union Court of Justice concerning the so-called mobility package and hoped that Poland would join in suit. Morawiecki expressed hope that all the leaders of Central and Eastern Europe would be in a position to show unity in the matter.
"The rules would lead to a decrease in competitiveness on the common market, legal uncertainty, and would also increase the negative impact of the transportation sector on the environment," the PM said, adding that in light of the economic crisis caused by coronavirus, Polish and Baltic transportation companies should not be eliminated from the common market.
On the issue of a nuclear power station being built in Astravets, Belarus, Morawiecki said Poland understood and supports the justified fears of Lithuanians, but cautioned that he could not forget about economic and political cooperation with Belarus, which is of significant importance to both countries.
On Russian attempts to falsify history and whitewash Soviet crimes, Morawicki said a situation should not be allowed in which the torturer became the victim and that the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact was direct evidence of preparation for joint aggression against Poland, the division of influence and occupation of the Baltic States. According to the prime minister, the Russians are always trying to test European solidarity, as evidenced by Russia breaching airspace in the area of the Baltic Sea. (PAP)
ej/jch
