Poland, Baltic states share views on security, EU policy
PR dla Zagranicy
Victoria Bieniek
05.09.2017 14:00
Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia share views on security and the European Union’s posted workers policy, the Polish prime minister said after meeting officials from those countries on Tuesday.
Estonian ambassador to Poland Harri Tiido, Latvian Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis, Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło and Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis. Photo: PAP/Rafał Guz.
Speaking at a press conference in Warsaw, Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło said Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were Poland’s close partners, “allies and friends”.
Szydło said that all four countries were keenly watching the European Union’s eastern border and that Poland would continue to police the air over the Baltic states.
She added that all four countries opposed French President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to have “posted workers” – including truck drivers – paid at least the minimum wage of the country they work in.
“We do not agree to introducing rules which would in practice mean the elimination of hauliers from the countries in our region from the single market,” Szydło said.
According to the Polish prime minister, EU-funded infrastructure projects, including the Via Baltica highway and Rail Baltica railway, were also discussed.
“The successful completion of these projects will stimulate economic growth in our countries and the whole region,” Szydło said.
The Polish interior ministry’s plans for new passport designs also came up in talks, after Lithuania voiced concern at one of 13 projects put forward. It depicts the shrine to Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn, which houses a painting of the Virgin Mary in Vilnius.
Szydło said that Poland wants good relations with Lithuania and that “nothing is set in stone yet”.
The Polish interior ministry said the Gate of Dawn is historically important to Poland. Vilnius was located within Poland’s borders before World War II. (vb/pk)
Source: IAR, PAP