Discussions covered current Polish and European foreign policy issues, including the Portuguese presidency’s priorities and its achievements.

The minister’s opening remarks were devoted to the EU’s eastern policy. “The European Union needs to continue its commitment in the framework of the Eastern Partnership in order to increase the resilience, security and economic development of its eastern partners,” emphasised Minister Rau. He also expressed his conviction that this year’s Eastern Partnership summit should strengthen this initiative and develop ambitious targets for the coming years. With regard to Russia, Minister Rau stressed the need for EU unity in pursuing a policy based on agreed principles. “EU-Russia relations and the EU’s ability to respond to aggressive Russian policies will be an important element in shaping the global role of the EU,” said the chief of Polish diplomacy. The minister also referred to the drastic scale of repression in Belarus and stressed the need for the EU to continue supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In the follow-up discussion, the Polish foreign minister also presented his position on other key current EU policy issues, including transatlantic relations, building the EU’s security and defence capacity, and EU-China relations.

 

MFA Press Office

Photo: Łucja Sucharska / MFA