President, defence minister see eye to eye on security issues
Poland's defence minister declared after a meeting with the president on Friday that the two "share a common language" on matters of security.
Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz and President Andrzej Duda met at the National Security Bureau (BBN), with BBN head Jacek Siewiera also in attendance.
Proposed regulations on defence planning and the management of the armed forces were on the agenda, as well as nominations for the highest ranks in the Polish Army.
Kosiniak-Kamysz told a press conference after the meeting that all political circles in Poland agree on the matter of security, which he described as a "fundamental issue." He said that despite political differences, defence and security remained a "common denominator."
He said the talks had touched on the appointment of the General Commander of the Armed Forces as well as Commander of the volunteer Territorial Defence Force, both of which positions have been vacant since October.
"Personnel issues are very important, but there is no discrepancy here between my opinions and the president's," said the defence minister, who is also a deputy prime minister.
Jacek Siewiera said that ongoing cooperation between the president and the government was discussed along with strategic issues including a presidential bill to regulate strategic and defence planning. He went on to say that these matters concerned not only the armed forces themselves but also the reaction of the country as a whole to various threats, including hybrid ones, such as migratory pressure at the borders.
"Certain proposals have already been included in the bill, which will be submitted to the parliamentary speaker," Siewiera said, adding that the draft law should be tabled in the lower house of parliament, the Sejm, within a month.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said the president's proposals would be sent to his ministry for consultation and that "we will analyse them." (PAP)
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