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Polish president in Lisbon: EU and NATO need solidarity

PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge 27.04.2016 17:42
President of Poland Andrzej Duda said following talks in Lisbon with his Portuguese counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa that the EU and NATO need to show solidarity.
President of Poland Andrzej Duda and President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Presidential Palace in Lisbon. Photo: PAP/Jacek TurczykPresident of Poland Andrzej Duda and President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Presidential Palace in Lisbon. Photo: PAP/Jacek Turczyk

This is a meeting of the presidents of two countries that are on the edges of the European Union,” Duda said.

Portugal is on the western edge, and Poland on the eastern one,” he added, stressing that in his view, it was a symbolic meeting and “a show of what is urgently needed in Europe at the moment: a show of unity and solidarity.”

In the framework of unity and solidarity we must now find a common way to solve the most difficult problems facing the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance,” he stressed.

The talks of the two presidents primarily focused on the agenda for the forthcoming NATO summit in Warsaw this July.

Duda said that besides the possible strengthening of NATO's eastern flank, the Warsaw talks will also give equal weight to the organisation's southern flank.

He added that the upheavals in the Middle East will be a key point of discussion.

Syria, Libya, Iraq - these are places that we will certainly be talking about at the NATO summit in Warsaw on an equal standing with the problems of Central and Eastern Europe.

Of course, we will simultaneously be seeking a path towards a real partnership and dialogue with Russia,” Duda said.

This dialogue of partnership will be possible when Russia knows that NATO is strong and consistent - that we are together."

Refugees

In spite of the Polish government's fluctuating stance on refugees, Duda insisted that “no one will be refused help.

Our border is open, and if someone comes to us and needs our help, this help will be received in Poland in accordance with applicable laws and humanitarian principles.”

The ruling Law and Justice party, of which Duda was a member prior to his election in May 2015, has changed tack several times on the issue, on one occasion saying that the intake of refugees would be stalled, and later indicating the process was open again.

President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said that his country is positive about welcoming 10,000 refugees. The number has yet to be formally confirmed.

Earlier on Wednesday President Duda opened an exhibition at Lisbon's Catholic University about the Ulma family. The Ulmas were executed by Poland's Nazi German occupiers in 1944 for sheltering Jews.

A museum named after the family was opened in Poland this year in tribute to Poles who aided Jews in World War II. (nh/pk)

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