France and Poland vow closer defence cooperation

President Hollande welcomes President Komorowski at the start of a two-day state visit to Paris: photo - PAP/Jacek Turczyk

Announcing a 'strategic partnership' between Poland and France, President Hollande vowed in Paris, Tuesday, increased cooperation between the two countries, both politically and economically.

Polish and French ministers of defence are also holding talks, signing a “letter of intent” on closer cooperation in the defence sector, Hollande added.

The French president's remarks come after prime ministers of Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia, along with President Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met in March in Warsaw and signed up for the creation of a joint EU battlegroup of 3,000 soldiers, which should be operational by 2016.

The force will be deployed for peacekeeping and crisis management missions.

“The Weimar Triangle [formed in 1991 by Poland, Germany and France] can play an important role in building acceptance for the vision of a common European defence system,” President Bronislaw Komorowski said at a joint press conference today.

Komorowski said Poland attaches “great importance of cooperation in the area of security and defence” adding that France can play a vital role in Poland modernizing its armed forces.

On Wednesday, President Komorowski will be taking part in ceremonies commemorating the 68th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, when Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered after six years of war on the continent. (pg)

source: PAP