Poland important to German economy: media
PR dla Zagranicy
Victoria Bieniek
08.02.2017 14:54
Poland is more important than Russia to Germany’s economy, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung daily has said following Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Tuesday visit to Warsaw.
A still from ZDF's coverage of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Warsaw. Photo: zdf.de.
Summing up the German chancellor’s official visit, the daily added that strong ties with Berlin are important to Poland’s economy and security, while unity in the EU is important to both countries’ national interests.
Likewise, public German broadcaster ARD, which featured Merkel’s visit at the top of its main news bulletin, noted that the future of the EU was a major talking point between the German Chancellor and Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło on Tuesday.
ARD added that, while the two countries have varying approaches to the issue, the politicians focused on what they had in common.
According to the broadcaster, Poland – which it said is concerned over US President Donald Trump’s critical statements about NATO – is developing an understanding that it needs a strong partner, namely Germany, in matters of security.
Meanwhile, public broadcaster ZDF said that close ties between Berlin and Warsaw are necessary for Poland, suggesting that Poland has lost some allies.
ZDF cited the UK’s decision to divorce from the EU and pointed to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s “flirtatious” relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Both broadcasters noted the German Chancellor’s comment that she is “happy to hear” that Poland will address concerns about the rule of law, raised by the Venice Commission and European Commission.
Those concerns refer to sweeping changes introduced in Poland after the current government’s landslide victory in 2015 elections.
The European Commission issued a set of recommendations for Poland after it said there was a threat to the country’s rule of law.
However, defenders of the Polish government have argued that the European and Venice commissions interfered with the country’s national sovereignty.
Broadcasters ARD and ZDF quoted Merkel as saying that Poland’s Solidarity movement – which was instrumental in overturning the country’s communist regime – left an impression on her.
“We know from those times how important an independent judiciary and [free] media are to a pluralistic society,” Merkel said. (vb/pk)
Source: PAP