On Wednesday 27 June, Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis met with Andrzej Duda, President of Poland in Rīga.
During the meeting, the officials discussed cooperation between Latvia and Poland, with a particular focus on opportunities for economic cooperation and regional infrastructure projects, preparations for the NATO Summit in Brussels, and current EU issues.
As regards security, the Prime Minister welcomed Poland's contribution to the security of the Baltic region by sending troops to the Canadian-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup in Latvia. He also appreciated the joint work in the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence in Rīga, and the regular participation of Poland in the Baltic airspace patrolling. M.Kučinskis noted that the European Union is playing an increasingly active role in developing the security and defence policy.
“Cooperation between the European Union and NATO will be one of the central issues on the agenda of the NATO Summit in Brussels. Work in the European Union to develop military mobility within its territory also requires NATO. In this way we strengthen security in the Baltic Sea region and in Europe as a whole," said the Prime Minister.
Particular attention was paid to the EU’s multiannual budget. M. Kučinskis stressed that Latvia cannot not be satisfied with the current draft budget.
“Latvia will fight for adequate funding for cohesion policy and common agricultural policy. It is also important for us to ensure sufficient funding for major transport and energy projects - synchronization of Rail Baltica and Baltic electricity networks with continental Europe. It is essential that the final agreement on the cohesion policy funding reflects the actual level of socio-economic development, and funding is directed to support less developed countries," said M. Kučinskis.
The current EU multiannual budget plan proposes the cohesion funding for Latvia to be reduced by 13% compared to the previous period.
The Prime Minister highly appreciated the contribution of the Polish community to the growth and prosperity of the state of Latvia. He highlighted the well-established cooperation with the Polish minority education institutions in Rīga, Krāslava, Daugavpils and Rēzekne, and assured his Polish colleague that Latvia is taking care of the Polish minority schools in Latvia, and will do so in the future.
The official visit of the Polish President A. Duda to Latvia takes place in the year of the centenary of the state of Latvia and restoration of independence of Poland. M. Kučinskis received congratulations from the President of Poland for the centennial of the Republic of Latvia, confirming that on 18 November this year the Polish President's Palace in the centre of Warsaw will be lit in the colours of the Latvian flag.
Latvia and Poland enjoy an active political dialogue. The Prime Minister regularly meets with Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki within various cooperation frameworks. Poland is among the leading foreign trade partners of Latvia. In 2017, the trade in goods between Poland and Latvia increased by more than 8%.
Andrejs Vaivars
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Mob.:29228678
E-mail: Andrejs.Vaivars@mk.gov.lv