Poland and France sign bilateral treaty to deepen ties
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and French President Emmanuel Macron have signed a bilateral accord aimed to increase bilateral cooperation and friendship.
The accord was signed in the French city of Nancy on Friday.
Macron told a joint press conference with Tusk that the Treaty of Nancy included measures for mutual defence and assistance, and was an extension of the two countries' commitment to NATO and the EU.
He declared that, in case of an attack against Poland, France would be able to mobilise its armed forces within 30 days, and added that he was sure that the deployment of forces would be possible if "the worst happens."
Tusk said that the unity of Europe could not be achieved without the solidarity of Poland and France, and that the two countries could rely on mutual support.
"From now on, France and Poland, in these challenging times, can count on each other in every situation - good or difficult," he said.
According to Macron, there are mechanisms of solidarity which have never before existed. He said he had in mind especially Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which covered both France and Poland.
Macron also said it was necessary to strengthen NATO's European pillar, and that he believed in Europe's defence which was not an alternative to NATO but which was growing stronger within the alliance.
Macron said further that the two countries were responsible for peace and security in Europe, which the Russian attack on Ukraine had been trying to undermine for three years, or rather for almost 10 years now.
He added that this responsibility had been based on the two countries' firm support for Ukraine and their determination to reach a ceasefire and create conditions for a stable and lasting peace based on security guarantees.
Macron also said that France, along with Poland and other European partners, had agreed to take upon themselves more responsibility for their own defence, and that this strategic autonomy had to be based on the increased capability of Europeans to manufacture their own defence tools and raise their defence investments.
According to him, the Treaty of Nancy should be seen as an integrated partnership in defence which is neither to replace NATO nor the EU but which is to strengthen operational activities and the existing ties.
Macron went on to say that the signing of the Treaty of Nancy was opening up a new page of history, and that both he and Tusk wanted to sign the accord as they had been convinced that Polish-French relations should be elevated to the highest level ever.
The French president announced that the two countries would intensify their economic cooperation, would hold annual business fora and high-level dialogue on civil nuclear energy.
According to Macron, the treaty gives concrete tools in order to respond to the challenges facing the world today in order to protect "our values, democracy and the rule of law."
Tusk said that May 9 was celebrated as Europe Day and that without close collaboration between France and Poland, "a united Europe would not be possible."
He added that words of friendship and trust between politicians had to be followed by "solid facts".
Tusk also announced that April 20 had been declared the Polish-French Friendship Day, and that the treaty signed in Nancy "opens up a new chapter in bilateral relations."
He further argued that the accord would surely contribute to the strengthening of the Weimar Triangle so that it would become a better tool to solve problems in Europe.
Referring to the clause about mutual assistance, including military aid, Tusk said that it had been treated very seriously by the two countries.
"We have given each other mutual security guarantees and you can be sure that it is both my intention and the French president's to be dead serious about it," he said.
Tusk added that Poland was not asking anybody for security guarantees today. "Poland has been building Europe's strongest army in order to be an ally for all those who can need assistance at a time when maybe Poland will also need it."
He declared that Poland was ready to cooperate in every field as far as defence was concerned, and added that every aggressor must be afraid of Europe.
Tusk argued that it was in the interest of both countries to make use of all their capabilities in case of a threat but added that the treaty was neither an alternative to cooperation with the US nor within NATO.
After the main treaty was concluded, Poland and France also signed another agreement on collaboration in the area of civil nuclear power. (PAP)
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