Polish President Andrzej Duda has said there should be “more of the United States in the European Union” and vice-versa at a summit attended by several EU heads of state.
Duda made the remarks at the Arraiolos Group summit in the southern Polish city of Krakow on Friday, which was attended by ten other heads of state from across the bloc.
The president outlined Poland’s priorities ahead of the country’s turn at the head of the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, which begins in January.
Duda said: “Firstly, strengthening ties between the European Union and the United States, that is, those ties that we call transatlantic or euroatlantic ties.
“So, as we put it in a slogan: more of the European Union in the United States, but at the same time more of the United States in the European Union.”
Duda also spoke on the issue of adding new member states to the EU, saying: “We indicated the countries which we assume will be first in line to be accepted into the European Union, so first and foremost Ukraine, but also Moldova, the western Balkan nations and, we all hope, Georgia following the next elections.”
The president outlined Poland’s priorities ahead of the country’s turn at the head of the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, which begins in January.
Duda said: “Firstly, strengthening ties between the European Union and the United States, that is, those ties that we call transatlantic or euroatlantic ties.
“So, as we put it in a slogan: more of the European Union in the United States, but at the same time more of the United States in the European Union.”
Duda also spoke on the issue of adding new member states to the EU, saying: “We indicated the countries which we assume will be first in line to be accepted into the European Union, so first and foremost Ukraine, but also Moldova, the western Balkan nations and, we all hope, Georgia following the next elections.”
Rebuilding Ukraine
Duda identified the rebuilding of Ukraine after war damage as an additional priority, adding that security and joint support for Kyiv were issues discussed at the summit.
He said: “Repeatedly raised was the issue of how to ensure that Ukraine not only survives this terrible Russian attack which it is currently struggling with, but also how to ensure that Ukraine can be accepted as fast as possible into the European Union.”
Other issues identified by Duda were ensuring energy security in the EU and implementing climate policies.
“None of the presidents present here criticized any of our priorities for the Polish presidency in the Council of the European Union, which makes me very happy.
“We have a lot to do and there will be plenty of great discussions during our presidency,” he added.
The informal Arraiolos Group summit is held almost every year as a platform for EU heads of state to discuss issues facing the bloc.
This year’s iteration was attended by the presidents of Poland, Italy, Bulgaria, Germany, Croatia, Greece, Estonia, Slovenia, Latvia, Hungary and Slovakia.
He said: “Repeatedly raised was the issue of how to ensure that Ukraine not only survives this terrible Russian attack which it is currently struggling with, but also how to ensure that Ukraine can be accepted as fast as possible into the European Union.”
Other issues identified by Duda were ensuring energy security in the EU and implementing climate policies.
“None of the presidents present here criticized any of our priorities for the Polish presidency in the Council of the European Union, which makes me very happy.
“We have a lot to do and there will be plenty of great discussions during our presidency,” he added.
The informal Arraiolos Group summit is held almost every year as a platform for EU heads of state to discuss issues facing the bloc.
This year’s iteration was attended by the presidents of Poland, Italy, Bulgaria, Germany, Croatia, Greece, Estonia, Slovenia, Latvia, Hungary and Slovakia.
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