On the eve of Poland’s 20th EU accession anniversary, TVP World’s Don Arleth engaged Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski in a comprehensive discussion about Poland’s place within the union. Topics ranged from the advantages of EU membership to shifts in foreign policy vis-à-vis the previous administration, the trajectory of Polish-EU relations and bolstering the union’s defense capacity.
The FM was firstly asked about the economic advantages of Poland joining the European Union. Sikorski emphasized that Poles “shouldn’t think about our membership in purely financial terms”. However, he pointed out that “Poland’s GDP has doubled… Poland’s exports have risen many times, but also, we [Polish society] belong to this common area, of not just travel but also of competition, of work, of study. I don’t know about others, but membership [in the EU] made me feel at home.”
Sikorski stressed that the current government has a dramatically different vision of Poland’s cooperation with the EU. He mentioned his recent speech to the Polish parliament, in which he noted that Poland will stop pushing “Europhobic conspiracy theories”, and in turn, focus on taking “full advantage of being one of the five, biggest, most important countries in the EU.”
Regarding the foreign ministry’s focus on European security, Sikorski emphasized enhancing the efficacy of sanctions and overcoming resistance from certain member states. He highlighted initiatives such as reimbursing nations for providing weapons to Ukraine via the European Peace Facility and aiding in the enhancement of civil defense and cybersecurity systems across EU nations.
The minister also stated “I’m in favor of a heavy brigade, EU rapid-reaction capacity so that we don’t have to call on the resources of the U.S. for every emergency on our periphery.”
Poland’s top diplomat further pointed to the necessary change in the EU’s unanimity in terms of issues such as sanctions. He stressed that adjusting this policy would greatly benefit Poland and further the country’s interests.
Sikorski stressed that the current government has a dramatically different vision of Poland’s cooperation with the EU. He mentioned his recent speech to the Polish parliament, in which he noted that Poland will stop pushing “Europhobic conspiracy theories”, and in turn, focus on taking “full advantage of being one of the five, biggest, most important countries in the EU.”
Regarding the foreign ministry’s focus on European security, Sikorski emphasized enhancing the efficacy of sanctions and overcoming resistance from certain member states. He highlighted initiatives such as reimbursing nations for providing weapons to Ukraine via the European Peace Facility and aiding in the enhancement of civil defense and cybersecurity systems across EU nations.
The minister also stated “I’m in favor of a heavy brigade, EU rapid-reaction capacity so that we don’t have to call on the resources of the U.S. for every emergency on our periphery.”
Poland’s top diplomat further pointed to the necessary change in the EU’s unanimity in terms of issues such as sanctions. He stressed that adjusting this policy would greatly benefit Poland and further the country’s interests.
Source: TVP World
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